Overheard at preschool

The children were playing "good and evil".  The child who was pretending to be evil layed down like he had died.  A little girl approached him and asked the children "Is this evil heaven"?

The children were kneading their bread dough.  One exclaimed "We're making fish pies because we're Tyrannodons"!  That might be one where you had to be there...it was adorable.

Happy New Year!...New Circle...and Stuffed Animals...

Dear Parents...

Happy New Year!!!  We are excited about all that is ahead with the season and our program.  We have a wonderful group of kids and things are running smoothly.

Our Circle this month has songs and movements that talk about winter gardening, rain, snow, thunder, bunnies, and snow play.  A couple of the songs "High Thunder Low Thunder" and "Song of the Bunnies" both come from a book that I really recommend called "Sing through the Day". We have a lot of books with songs...but this is probably my favorite.  If you are looking for some songs to learn to sing with your children it would be a great choice.  And it comes with a CD with excellent voices singing the songs to help you learn!

Now last of all...

For years we have had a "No toys/stuffed animals from home policy".  This has been for 4 reasons...

1.  Because of the strife that is created when the children have their "own toys" that are "mine".

2.  Because the toys inevitably will be lost or misplaced creating a need for a search party.

3.  Because it has the potential to spoil the timeless feel of a Waldorf inspired program as children play with non-natural toys.

4.  Because we want the children to become accustomed to being without toys from home as this is how things will be at Kindergarten.

Traditionally the only toys from home were stuffed animals that were brought and left in their bags until  resting time.  This was generally only for the children who were emotionally troubled or perhaps "couldn't sleep without" their animal.  Over the past few months more and more children have started to bring stuffed animals.  Now the animals have gotten bigger and bigger and are finding their way into the play room.  Now we are also finding that children think the door is now open to bring other toys as well.

So the king and queen of Helping Hands land do now decree...if a child strongly desires to bring a resting time animal...make it a really small animal.  Think Beanie Baby.  Please also put the animal into a bag until resting time.  Any other toys from home will be put on the stairs until pickup time.  This will do wonders to making peace and a semblance of tidiness!

Thank you...

Stephen and Lovell