Dear Parents,
I hope everyone had a wonderful spring break and celebration last week.
Here at Playgarden we have sung spring songs and planted seeds in the garden, we baked bunny bread last week, and I told them how I saw so many hares coming out of the ground in the meadows now that spring is here.
The children are playing with water and can finally take off their shoes when the weather permits, they love the feeling of their feet in the sand and grass.
Our new play house is a great addition as well.
Thanks to Neko's family for the new swing, wheel barrow and digger also wonderful additions to inspire the children's play.
I would like to welcome Neko to our play garden he will start this week.
Our beloved rabbit Mr. Buttons passed away while on break. I did all I could to help him with the vets help but he was too sick.
I told the children a story and it seemed to help. In the story, however, Pippin, our little bunny, takes on the responsibility of looking after the garden and sitting still for the children to pet him. This might take some work as he is not as patient as Mr. Buttons was. But he promised Mr. Buttons (in the story) to do his best.
This week I am telling the story of Briar Rose. It is a Grim fairytale. I chose to tell this story because this year we have a lot of older children that are going to kindergarten. Usually these stories are told in kindergarten but this group really needs the challenge. Another reason I chose to tell the story is because many of the children watched the movie Frozen. They have been acting it out and singing the theme songs over and over as is very common after watching a movie. The children try and process and retell the story in order to understand it. When the story comes in a form of a movie though it leaves a great impression since at this age they learn through creating images and are developing their imagination. Hence why we suggest as little media as possible.
The story of Briar Rose, when told close to the original form, is full of symbolism and messages about childhood and growing up to maturity. Theses are not messages the children perceive consciously but are told to as "soul food". As an example, when the princess pricks her finger at age 15, and falls asleep only to wake when the prince comes, it speaks of the letting go of early childhood and taking on the transformation to adulthood. The princess and prince marry and live contented together can be seen as the unity of the masculine and feminine in each of us at maturity.
Please remember our end of the year picnic here on May 22 at 11:00 here at playgarden. Please bring something to share, it is a pot luck.
Also I will be making photo books with pictures of the children.
Also I will be making photo books with pictures of the children.
Those that are moving to kindergarten will receive one as a present; however, the rest can buy it at cost price. I will let you know the price before I order.
If you object to have your child's picture in the book please let me know. I use Shutterfly to create the books.
Happy Spring.
Warmly,
Maayan
