I have a few things to share....
+ we had a dance party this afternoon at daycare. It was wicked. When it's a childs birthday at daycare the teachers ask them what they would like to do to celebrate their birthday. Not what they want... but what they want to do. Love that. So today, I worked the early shift, which meant I got to decorate M's locker with balloons [she turned 4, she's Japanese, so insert the most adorable Japanese name you can think of here], I made her a sign for the front door [both her requests], we made a cake during small group time, and this afternoon we had a dance party. It totally ruled. I wish I could post the pictures, but I think you can probably imagine it.
+ also, I've been meaning to share this for weeks but keep forgetting. At any other centre I've worked at, when it's time to tidy up the teachers start singing the god awful tidy up song... something resembling 'clean up, clean up, every-body, every-where, clean up, clean up, every-body, every-where'. It's affective but also awful. My first day at the new place I watched in awe and fascination as one of the teachers put on this::
All 21 children immediately stopped what they were doing, dropped whatever toy they were playing with and ran to the carpet area. They all sat down, closed their eyes, and began to pretend to play the piano along with the music. For the entire duration of the song. And it gets so good at the end and they get so so into it. It is so amazing to watch. They're encouraged to close their eyes and feel the music. It slows everyone down, gets everyone on the same page, allows for a nice relaxing break, and then everyone has re-grouped before clean up time. I love love love love it. Today was my first time to 'lead' the experience.. I hit play and watched them all descend on the carpet and start to play their imaginary pianos. And I was reminded why I do what I do. Because it's freakin awesome. I'd love for all of you to come to our classroom and take a look for yourselves. It's completely inspiring.
Remember the two little kids in Mississauga who sat in rapture in the car as their mother played classical music while they were driving around the city. No videos for them, just beautiful music. I can't wait to come to your classroom and experience this transformation first hand. xo
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