One morning, while playing in the front yard, Naomi was experiencing a sad moment. She began to cry and expressed her emotions to the teacher. It’s part of our New School-West culture to support one another and to offer a variety of avenues to the children to expresses their feelings, such as writing in their journals, making a note, or asking for support. Sometimes it’s just an affectionate gesture.
Noami cried out: I want Mommy.
Teacher Adriana: I know you’re missing your mommy. You are thinking about her. What will make you feel better?
Naomi: I miss my mom.
Archer: She’s feeling sad. Naomi, you want to come in the woodchips with me?
Naomi walks next to Archer. Theo G. (Naomi’s brother joins the front yard).
Archer: Theo, Naomi is feeling sad. Give her a hug. Hug her. Give her a gentle hug.
Archer observes this moment: She’s feeling better.
At the same time, there is a group of children working in the Paper House. A few minutes later, Zoe and Isaac approached Naomi.
Zoe: I made a picture for you.
Adriana: Zoe, what are you saying in this picture?
Zoe: To make you feel better, Naomi.
Isaac: Here, Naomi. I made this for you.
Naomi gets the notes and all children begin to play.
Our main focus in the front yard this year is to support the children in recognizing the energy we constantly bring to the spaces. To practice this, we stop and support one another even when we might not be part of the hurt person’s experience. It is important to be mindful of the energy of the space in which we work and to be there and see if we might be able to contribute something that might support the situation. In this instance, Archer organically stopped and supported Naomi. Zoe and Isaac, too, took the time to create a drawing for Naomi when they were over 10′ away from her in the Paper House. They felt her stress which switched their work focus into creating a caring gesture. Naomi’s emotions gave all of us the opportunity to practice our various levels of empathy. – Teacher Adriana & Kristin