Seeing the Intentions behind the Actions

Our continuing journey of working with this question, "How can we be better friends to self, friends, materials, and environment?” This journey is definitely a significant one for us to go deeper. At our early ages, we often feel things deeply but are still working on the many ways of expressing or understanding them.

Sometimes we observe how others react emotionally. If we get frustrated but calms down with deep breaths, a friend may try the same technique. That line - "Sometimes we observe how others react emotionally..." - really captures how much of our learning comes from observing and mirroring, doesn't it? We are keen observers. And in doing so, we begin to build our own internal toolkits for navigating life.

Each morning, our “Hello Hello” song brings us together. The song centers us. It invites each one of us into a sense of belonging.

We begin our journey with the story Yes I Can Listen, and as we read together, we pause often to ask, “What does it mean to listen?” Emily shares that, "When people says is not play time" ... she understands that she needs to stop. This moment reminds us that we are forming our understanding of communication. 

Emily's words are such a powerful reminder of that tender, in-progress space where understanding and self-regulation begin to take root. Her reflection is a snapshot of her growing awareness of social cues, boundaries, and the evolving language of communication.

A beautiful moment! Full of curiosity, problem-solving, initiative, and relationship—with water, with tools, with space.

Today, we place a water dispenser near a large plastic container on the outdoor table. We are invited to explore how we may transfer water from one space to another—using our hands, our ideas, and the tools around us.

At first, the dispenser is full. We squeeze and fill the container eagerly, focused on the satisfying rhythm of cause and effect. Water flows. Cups fill. Laughter ripples. Then …, emptiness.

When the dispenser runs out of water, Kai doesn’t call for help. He, without words, begins to shift the story.

He turns the dispenser upward, and returns water to the top of the dispenser—cupful by cupful—so that he can squeeze it again and return the water to the larger white container. In this moment, water becomes more than an element. It becomes a collaborator. A teacher. A friend.

Drawing or journaling enables us to go through our feelings or emotions which we sometimes cannot yet put into words. There's something beautifully honest about the marks we make on paper - the swirls, colors, shapes, and lines that hold emotions, memory, story, even confusion or joy.

​The whole process isn't about the the final product - it is about access: giving us access to ourselves, to our own inner worlds. And giving us, the adults, a window into those worlds if we take time to look and listen.

Through stories, role-playing, or games, we experiment with emotions in a safe, creative environment. We notice how rhythms of the year naturally invite learning. Spring and Easter bring symbols - eggs, baskets, flowers - all of which can be touchstones for one-to-one correspondence, quantity, and sequencing. But beyond math, there is also the story - the feeling of waiting, celebration, and renewal.

As Easter approaches, the classroom transforms into a space of wonder. Wooden bowls in hand, we eagerly search for hidden eggs, our eyes wide with anticipation and joy. Each discovery brings a burst of celebration - "I found one!" - followed by careful counting, egg by egg, building our understanding of numbers through touch and excitement.

In the rhythm of picking up and placing, one-to-one correspondence emerges naturally. "One for me, one for you," a friend offers, showing not just mathematical thinking, but empathy and awareness of others.

Through the simple of joy of play, we are not just collecting eggs. We are practicing patience, celebrating small victories, and navigating big feelings - excitement, surprise, even moments of disappointment - all within a safe, joyful space.

Another day of fun, learning, and exploration! We start our morning group time by singing the cheerful song "Bee Bee Bumble Bee, Can You Say Your Name for Me?" We engage enthusiastically by patting our thighs and clapping in rhythm, creating a lively and inclusive atmosphere. 

Each one of us confidently take a turn singing and sharing our name, but Fides especially stands out with his remarkable confidence, clearly and joyfully sharing his name, demonstrating his growing self-assurance and comfort within our group.

​Following our energetic start, we settle down for story time to enjoy the delightful book "People Share with People" by Lisa Wheeler and Molly Idle. The book beautifully illustrates various ways in which sharing can enhance friendships and create a positive community. Through colorful pictures and engaging rhymes, the story highlights different examples such as sharing toys, snacks, and even feelings. These relatable scenarios spark an engaging and thoughtful discussion about the importance of sharing toys and being considerate with our friends.

The conversation naturally expands to include sharing experiences about pets, where Fides eagerly shares a fascinating story about his fish. He explains how his family releases their bigger fish into a nearby creek because it may eat the smaller fish at home whose role was essential in cleaning the tank. It is inspiring to hear our reflections on the many different ways we share and care for others, even beyond resources. 

Additionally, we reflect together on important things we share with the world—such as love, respect, and time—which help deepen our understanding of meaningful sharing.

​Next, we explore our creativity and fine motor skills by crafting personalized stepping stones using air-dry clay and colorful gems that resemble cheerful Easter colors. Each one of us choose our favorite gems and carefully press them into the clay, thoughtfully designing our unique patterns. It is wonderful to see everyone's individual artistic expressions and pride in our creations.

Before heading out for our nature walk, we take some time to plant colorful pinwheels in our front yard. The excitement is contagious as friends watch our pinwheels twirl beautifully in the gentle breeze, bringing extra joy and vibrancy to our outdoor space.

​Our neighborhood walk offers exciting discoveries as we immerse ourselves in nature's wonders. We pause beneath a stunning Cherry Blossom tree adorned with soft pink leaves, and we eagerly pose for a memorable photo, discussing how the colors and seasons are changing. 

​Further along, curiosity grows as we notice intriguing plants bearing small red fruits. Friends immediately begin asking questions, wondering aloud what kind of fruit it may be, where it comes from, and if it is safe to eat. We decide we will investigate further and learn more about these mysterious plants in the days to come.

Pranssi: “The storm was here. And the fairy is coming to make the environment is getting beautiful again.” In these few words, Pranssi captures a whole journey: from chaos to calm. from disruption to healing. It is a narrative children often understand deeply, even if we do not always express it so clearly.  The storm can be literal - or symbolic of big feelings, a difficult moment, or even changes in the environment. The fairy, then, becomes a figure of hope, renewal, and restoration.

We create our own puppets to bring the story You Can Listen to Directions to life. We immediately give our finger puppets voices, emotions, and a sense of purpose.

We notice that listening becomes relational. It shifts from following to caring. We listen to keep each other safe.

Our book helps us to introduce conversations on safety and listening  During our group discussion, we ask a question rooted in everyday experience: "Why do parents give directions?"
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We respond thoughtfully, drawing from our own lives and understandings:
“So we don’t get lost."
“So we don’t get hurt.”

We listen carefully to our words and tone. These responses hold layers of understanding—safety, love, trust. We begin to see listening not as something we have to do, but something that helps us stay connected and protected.

As we journey deeper into listening, we see it grows beyond a behavior. It becomes an expression of friendship, of empathy, of community. We reflect, how might we nurture this idea of listening as love in action? What happens when we trust others not just to hear—but to feel, to care, and to respond?

Kindest,
Children & Friends.