Working individually on homes for bugs, Jacob G., Leah, and Charlie begin an appointment, co-mingling the East and West Wings in the Front Yard.
Teacher Adriana: How can we work together to make a home for the bugs?
Leah: The butterflies live here. The momma takes care of the babies.
Jacob G.: Here lives the big bug.
Charlie: The worm is going to see the big bug.
Jacob G.: Oh no! The big bug took the baby! The big bug, he’s a bad bug.
Charlie: The daddy doesn’t like that.
Jacob and Charlie begin to knock their bugs together in a ‘fight’.
Teacher Adriana, in an attempt to add complexity to the story, and therefore, a new perspective in the play: How come he’s making those choices?
Charlie: He needs a big home.
Jacob G.: Yes, we need to make a big home.
password: venice1987
With an intention in mind, individual patterns of play can be joined between new peers, expanded to include thinking about thinking (metacognition) and stimulate possibilities for new interactions. From working in isolation and attending to bugs in tight spaces to creating a group house for everyone to thrive, Charlie’s articulation of bad bug behavior resulting from feeling restricted makes perfect sense. When we’re not connected, when we are isolated and solitary, we’re less content. Together we find joy. This is the intentional foundation of all we do at NSW and it’s practiced every day in tiny ways with simple questions to provoke thinking. What are your family intentions and how are you instilling them? Conferences are coming up, mention them to your teacher! – Teacher Adriana and Kristin