What is essential is invisible to the eye

This is from the Stone house Preschool newsletter. I thought it was so great that I want to document for my further reference. As I walk through the door of our West center, there are several children sitting together playing toys, looking at books. Kennedy has a baby doll in a crib. She covers it with a blanket. Osten sits on Miss Athena's lap. Miss Athena sings a song from our circle time "If I had a windmill, a windmill...". Some of the children join in the singing quietly, all the while continuing their play. Wilma is stacking blocks. Tyler and Jordanna are conversing about pictures in a book, sharing a special bond like a brother and sister as they have been at the Stone House together for two years. Miss Ishana holds Riley and they watch the fish swimming in the tank. And Miss Victoria is in the kitchen, preparing the ingredients for baking the snack. This Monday morning has a certain calmness about it.

As I walk through the door, I go unnoticed and I am grateful for that,as it reflects that the children are engaged in their play.

This is our ongoing work, creating this atmosphere of peace and harmony. The caregivers are constantly reminded to talk less- so as not to clutter the air with words and words and words. To many words can confuse children. The caregivers are also reminded to use a voice that is light and an articulation that is correct (not at all about the dialects of the island) but about right speech, which is part of the Life-ways training in Milwaukee. Having beautiful posture and beautiful gestures is also important as young children absorb everything mourned them. They are sensitive in such a way that the gestures, speech and the environment that is created actually permeates their whole being.



A morning at the storehouse part 1:

Each child brings a different disposition to the start of their morning. Some children enjoy swinging; while other children prefer to cuddle and listen to a story. So,e hildren are comfortable interacting right away with singing and baking, while others enjoy quietly observing. The caregivers keep in tune with these moods and respect the children's individual needs.

After the snack as been prepared, children engage in creative play. At 10:00, all the children are called with the ringing of a chime to wash their hands.

If little feet are muddy, a warm lavender foot bath is prepared. Each child is attended to in a careful, gentle manner. The mood is never rush. Sometimes a little song is made up on the spot to accompany washing all the mud away. This is truly a connecting point between caregiver and child. Sometimes the child will point out a scrape or boo-boo in a knee or toe and the caregiver will ask to hear a story of what happened there. The caregiver listens intently before engaging the next child who is patiently waiting.

After the children have had their foot bath,they proceed to wash their hand at the little sink. A caregiver may sing a song for hand washing too. We are now ready for snack together.