The initial springboards to learning, are wonder and curiosity. The environments can multiply the children’s engagement by amplifying their interests and inviting miracles.
We’ve taken extra time to examine the children’s work as they became comfortable in their first year at New School-West. We’ve identified some areas of interest through the children’s repeated play and dialogue in the house area, the mini studio, on the rug and in the construction area:
“I want to build a room.” Rocco
“Build a castle room!” Kai
“We need a space shuttle to take us to the castle.” Hannah
“Maybe we can make a little lake because there is not enough room.” Oliver
“Lakes have trees, right?” Kyle
“We are making a forest.” Aurora
The children are creating their own worlds with the elements of nature and fantasy, encountering light and darkness and multiple images through reflection. They are playing with words through song and storytelling. To honor these interests, the teachers have planned with Kris and Alejandra (Carla, EW) to enhance the areas in the West Wing so they offer multisensory and provocative experiences designed for these children.
This letter is to inform you that we will be talking about the upcoming changes with the children all week. We’ll begin making those changes on Friday 11/4 and Saturday 11/5. We need your help (these are BIG changes!). If you are adept at bolting, unbolting, moving documentation boards, creating shelving and tables, rounding table corners and cutting some in half, please talk with Amy or Sam to volunteer. We need people who can help us sweep, clean, move furniture and use power tools (we need an electric saw, drill and sander.)
Here’s a wish list to see if you might be able to help with this, too!
Pillows, plexiglass, plexi mirrors, hand mirrors, area rugs, transparent containers, pulleys, fabric, flashlights, child sized tables, wood for making table legs, Djimbe drum.