Joyful Movement
Happy one month, Blackberries! This week was very special. We celebrated one month in existence, the weather was unbelievable, and most importantly, each group seemed to really hit their stride this week. Everyone was really meshing with one another, and it made my heart smile.
The kids leaned into physicality this week on bikes, the playground, and moving loose parts to fit the whims of their imagination.
There is always something to do to burn energy here. Some favorites this week involved hauling water in buckets and wagons to put out fires, climbing the dome and getting attacked by monsters, riding bikes, attaching wagons to said bikes, and creating a magical fort to spend time with new friends in.
But at the same time, there are places, plants, people, and animals to lean into when the kids need calm, peace, and steadiness. Sometimes this looks like a child wandering into the garden or attending to a quieter task, like making soup in the mud kitchen. Sometimes, it is taking a needed trip with a teacher to feed an animal or check the pumpkins. It is on those walks with a teacher and in those care tasks that a child finds peace, regulates their emotions, or builds autonomy.
We tried a printing process art project this week that I thought was a hit. We turned muffin pans upside down, painted or squeezed paint on them, and then pressed small white papers down on the paint. Not only was the process fun for the kids, it was definitely exciting to turn over each piece of paper and see how the paint and pressure interacted. I am in the process of taping ALL of them up in the indoor classroom as an art installation. While I will definitely send some art home, I plan on displaying a lot of the art here at Blackberry Blossom, as I believe it creates pride in the children and promotes art appreciation. Plus, I’m a mom . . . I know where a lot of that art goes . . .
One of my favorite time continues to be snack and lunch because I love watching everyone nourish their bodies while building community. We eat, drink, chat, read, laugh, and after everyone has refueled, slowly begin moving our bodies again in the way they need. For some, this is extra rest; others continue to chat but are getting more mobile; while other still, start getting extra physical again in the garden yard before we move into another round of play. I love that being outside gives a chance for those really physical kids to move in ways that are unacceptable in an indoor setting.
Looking forward to seeing you all on Monday/Tuesday. There is a special surprise in the indoor classroom, but I’ve been sworn not to say a cheep.
