To tie into our weekly mantra of “supporting,” a provocation was set up in the East Wing Building Space. Three bugs greeted the children on the platform with a note: “Dear East Wing Children. We were in the front yard and one of the teachers told us you could work together to build us something we can play in. Can you do that? Will you support us?”
This message was received with enthusiasm and ideas emerged.
Emilio: We can build them a playground!
Kayden: Yeah, there’s going to be a roller coaster slide and something tall for them to stand on.
Paisley: This is going to be the street for them to walk on.
Teacher Susan: I see the bugs watching all of you working together. I wonder what they’re feeling.
Mason: They want to go in right now but they have to wait because it’s not finished yet.
Lola: They’re feeling happy.
Paisley: And excited!
At the end of the appointment, we reconvened as a small group to reflect on our experience.
Teacher Susan: How did all of you work together to support the bugs who came to visit us?
Emilio: We built a playground for them to play in.
Lola: We wanted them to feel happy and loved and didn’t want them to feel sad. I was sad this morning because I didn’t want to say goodbye to my mommy.
Teacher Susan: What supported you?
Lola: Joining the group made me feel better.
Paisley: I was feeling sad because my mom went on a trip this morning. When I was in the car, I felt better.
Teacher Susan: What about being in the car supported you in feeling better?
Paisley: When my daddy played music.
Kayden: I was trying to make a bridge and it kept falling.
Teacher Susan: What happened next?
Kayden: It kept falling and I felt sad.
Emilio: Maybe you can ask for support next time.
Teacher Susan: I also remember you wanting to get a large wooden board to the front of the platform. You said you couldn’t do it on your own. How were you able to move that board?
Kayden: I asked Emilio, Paisley, and Mason to help me carry it.
Teacher Susan: That’s right! All of you worked together to slide it to the front of the platform to create a pathway for the bugs.
Experiences like these bring to life the value of belonging to a community that strives to support each other but also lends an empathetic ear as we process our emotions, relate to those feelings, and share strategies used to overcome challenging moments experienced throughout the day. -Teacher Susan