Well, true to the year 2020, we had a major wind storm (up to 100mph) on what should have been our first day. But we are very flexible here so we just postponed it a couple days and now we are off and running. Because of COVID, preschool looks different in some ways this year, but I believe it is better because of it. We are trying to do more out in the fresh air, which is what kids love anyway. And a play based preschool is set up pretty good to teach during a pandemic because we don’t rely on me sitting down with the kids teaching them what I decided was important. Instead I set up the classroom and let the kids learn what they decide is important and then I facilitate when needed. It was very interesting as I sat back and watched the play and it made be realize how important play is in the processing abilities of young children. The big windstorm was still on everyone’s minds this first week and I witnessed some of the students acting out the windstorm. By doing this, they get to take something that was a little scary and make it not so scary by having more control over it. They took everything that could blow and away and put it into the house.
Another realization I had was how important these first few weeks are to establish relationships with each of the students. I have a few returning students and so I already have that relationship with them. So this little girl knew when she asked “Miss Lori can we move this into the shade” that I would say yes because we had built up that trust.
But I had another little girl that is new this year. I learned that she had gotten stung the first day and didn’t want to tell me. She doesn’t have that trusting relationship with me yet. My goal is to build such a relationship with each of my students that they feel comfortable telling me or asking me anything. Then I know that they will feel comfortable trying new things too. Which is what preschool is all about!
Here are a few highlights from the first two weeks of school, with the most exciting being finding a caterpillar and grasshopper!
Miss Lori's Preschool 