YOU ARE JUST RIGHT THE WAY YOU ARE…..
Here is to a lovely November, as we think of all of the things we are grateful for across the land!
First we will start with a Thank you to Wyatt for the flowers this week. He cut all the flowers by himself from his garden.
 |
| From Wyatt Flowers |
Our story is of Reuven, the stonecutter. Every day, he would climb the highest mountains and ban his heavy hammer to make stones. Then he sold these stones to the people to build their walls and houses. He feels unsatisfied with his role as stonecutter-looking for something that appears stronger than he. One day, he see’s the King come to town. He say the splendor of the Kings carriage, his glorious robes and jewels and servants obeying his every order. He said to himself “oh, how I wish I were the King” and Whoosh…..Reuven became the King of the land. He rode in a splendorous coach and wore glorious robes. However, at noon, the hot sun beat down on him, making him hot and sweaty. He said “I see the sun is much stronger than even a King. Oh, how I wish I were the sun.” And Whoosh….Reuven became the sun, shining down on the earth, making the trees and grass grow.
He journeys through various experiences as he wishes to be something different each time his wish comes true, deciding the cloud is stronger than the sun because it blocks the sunlight from reaching the earth….then the wind, stronger than the cloud who blows the cloud across the land and the leaves from the trees. Eventually the wind blows until it hits up against a mountain and cannot get through, leading Reuven to believe the mountain is the strongest – and he wishes to be the mountain, casting his long shadow across the land. Until one day….he heard the clanging of a hammer and felt something pounding on his back….and it’s a stone cutter. He discovers that the stonecutter is strongest of them all, and wishes to be a stonecutter once more. He finds satisfaction and happiness knowing that he was just right the way he was, before wishing to be all of the other things.
Here the children are enjoying the story of Reuven……
 |
| Reuven Puppet Show |
We have been learning about the Autumn, the fall leaves turning from green to red, yellow, orange and brown. We are raking and singing together and observing the differences now that the weather is turning chilly. We are learning about the critters and the work they do as they prepare for the winter – singing of squirrel nutkin in her coat of brown, who is busily storing nuts away before winter comes with cold and storm. The children are having a lot of fun playing indoors together. The stories and depth of their group play is a joy to watch. Relationships are deepening and they are navigating their way through situations that are sometimes bumpy and challenging. They are learning about kindness, taking turns and respecting others feelings and wishes. We always honor a child’s request to play alone if they feel the need to. This is a great learning experience for the others who would like to play with that child, as they have to understand they are not being rejected personally and that we are just honoring a child’s need for space and time to be with him or herself.
The sunny days outdoors have been glorious, fall crisp air and still the feeling of warmth in the sun on our skin. The photos are of outdoor play, the children actively building houses and ice cream shops with the large blocks.
 |
| Outdoor Play 11/12/10 |
Another funny quote…..a child washing his hands got soap on his wrist. He said,” Miss Linda look, I got soap on the ankle of my hand!”.
The meeting last week was informative and interesting. It helps us deepen our understanding of the effects on a broader level, described well in this parents response “that it’s not a matter of good and bad, but to think about things like whether, for example, he is kept in a “hyperventilated” state, one of unresolved stories and overstimulation v. resolve and calm. This is true of books, TV, the stories we tell. ”
Thanks to all who took the time to attend.
Enjoy your week!