Little Leaf...Big Leaf...Tiny Rock

As I sat on the edge of the sandbox this morning, a toddler handed me a leaf. “Little leaf. For you,” he said. He then found a big leaf and offered that to me: “You have big leaf.” And then I received a little tiny rock (which is now on my desk). Next to us, another friend was digging through the sand with a truck while carefully and quietly observing our conversation. He may not have been willing to talk to me, but he was so clearly taking in all that was going on. Around us, the rest of the toddlers and their teachers were exploring the playground. Gentle notes came from the musical instruments, laughter could be heard as crab apples were tossed and squished, and, of course, we heard lots of traffic noises coming from the Riverway just beyond the fence. There was much to appreciate in this moment:

• The weather was stellar as only a New England early-autumn day can be. Crisp, cool, clear, blue sky, bright sun.

• Every toddler except one was comfortably masked – a remarkable achievement one month into the school year.

• No one was crying!

• Each child was engaged with something or someone. They played on their own, with a friend or with an adult.

These pockets of time are remarkable moments that are deceptively simple and carefree. They happen in carefully curated environments that are primed for exploration and investigation. Teachers intentionally set-up spaces that will be engaging AND challenging. Most importantly, though the space is structured and carefully planned out, the time is not. Open-ended play is sacred time in a classroom community: we have many transitions throughout the day, and it is tempting to let the schedule dictate the way we manage our time, but there must be – without fail – uninterrupted play. This is where the deeper learning happens. This time is also a bedrock for children building relationships, with peers and with the adults who care for them.

I have the good fortune to witness remarkable moments like this multiple times each day. I am excited to share them with you and to discover over the coming weeks and months more ways to give you access to them. In a world with severely limited parent access to classrooms, I understand the hunger for information about your child's day. Any way in which I - and the teachers - can create windows for you will be eye-opening and, I hope, bring comfort and relief. In the meantime, when you realize your child is happily engaged in something at home, take a quiet minute and observe the moment you've curated. 

Shabbat Shalom, 
Amy