message from martha

Spring is here!

Looking out my office window it is hard to believe that spring is around the corner. All I see is a playground full of snow and eager sleigh riders! But the hint of spring is there. The birds seem to be singing their tunes a tad louder, the sun is setting a wee bit later and a few blades of grass are beginning to show through the carpet of snow.

Spring is an amazing time for children as with nature. As Mother Nature puts on her show of new life, showy flowers and warm days, the children put on their own. Children often work hard through the fall and winter to figure out their role and their world. They change and grow at a rapid pace. Then spring comes along and they seem to stop and smell the newly blossomed flowers. As I move through the classrooms, already I can see so much coming together. Our children are beginning to master so many new skills, and they are taking the opportunity to relish in them. Friendships seem to take on new meaning. The work in the block area is coming a little easier. Choosing how to spend their time working in the classroom flows more smoothly.

Children have their own sense of time. The change of season, and children's mastery of new skills often present excellent opportunities to help them begin to make sense of these difficult concepts. Concrete activities help them make such abstract ideas real. Recording and talking about changes you and your family notice are good ways to welcome spring to your family, and support your child's understanding of "time". At Knight Hall, we have been feeding the birds all winter. Now new birds are visiting our many feeders. The Orange room is keeping a list of new attendees to the feeders outside their classroom. The Blue room keeps their feeders filled to the brim. With watchful eyes they are finding new birds as well.

Another fun way to see the approach of spring is to note the sun staying up just a little later each day. We no longer need lights on in the parking lot at pick-up time. Classes have been able to get outdoors after rest time! These are great conversation starters with your child. See if they have noticed any other changes in your yard or neighborhood with spring on the way. I can guarantee you will notice one thing different! Your child will show you skills that they did not posses a few short, winter months ago.

May spring be a time of magic for you and your family!

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