This observation comes from the Reggio listserv. As we come up on spring break and the end of the school year, I hope you will find some inspiration for your work through this spring.


Isabelle

Several weeks ago I was in the nap room in the process of trying to get
children to sleep. There are windows high up that let a small amount of
light on the sides of the window shades. We try to move the cots into the
darker areas of this large room.

As I sat by one child, I observed from across the room that Isabelle was
reaching up from her cot to touch the shaft of light that fell from the
window. There were dust mites floating in the light that she was attempting
to catch. It made me smile to see her fascination with the light. I sat by
her later until she fell asleep.

Isabelle had not been a child that I felt particularly close to. Her speech
is difficult to understand and she often copies what others do. I have had
very little indication of her internal thought process. Seeing her
captivated by the tiny swirling dots in the light made me feel a connection
with her that I hadn't felt before.

I observed her on subsequent sunny days to see if she would again notice the
light shafts. She was the only child that took delight in this. One day she
began to try to trap the light in her cupped hands. She brought her hands to
her mouth. She was eating sunbeams!

As I watched her, another teacher walked by Isabelle, unaware of the
fantastical world that she inhabited. The teacher roughly pushed her hands
down and told her to go to sleep. I wanted to cry. I felt that I was the one
who got shut down. I have not seen her eat sunbeams since that day.

I know it could have been me that was the unobservant teacher. We can do so
much harm in the very slight things we do without even knowing, and we can
greatly impact lives for the good when we notice and are aware.

Deadline this Friday

Just a reminder that if you are interested in attending the MacDonald Montessori workshop with financial assistance from SLP Pre-K, you need to let me know by this Friday. Thanks.

Professional Development Opportunity

MacDonald Montessori School in St. Paul is sponsoring Visiting Day at MacDonald Montessori School on Saturday, April 24, 2010, 8:30 a.m. registration, workshop 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Continental breakfast and lunch included.

The day will focus on MacDonald's 15 years of collaboration and dialogue with the Reggio Emilia approach: reflections on our journey and sharing experiences.

More information about the workshop is posted on the bulletin board.

If 10 or more of you are interested in attending, we can receive a group discount rate.

SLP Pre-K will cover $35 of the registration fee for a group or individual.

Please let me know before Friday, March 26 if you are interested in attending. I hope you consider this opportunity. Thanks!

The "Mommy Wars"

I thought you might find this interesting and parent educators, perhaps a provocation for a discussion in class...

http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/12/whos-the-best-mommy-of-them-all/