Making Connection

Luka, deeply shares his affection toward illustrations of trees while flipping the pages of the storybook The Forest. His gleeful expression makes us feel a tree stands in our presence to remind us of the hope of the season. That it has a deep and great connection for you and me, too.

Being intentional about what we are planning ahead, we come up with a way to express through our figurative language. Figurative language is an important tool for helping us to develop our emotional intelligence, as it is often used as a way to better express emotions. We also develop inference skills by analyzing figurative language to determine the meaning behind it. 

Learning figurative language will allow us to effectively communicate an idea that's otherwise not easy to understand because of its abstract nature or complexity. It will also improve our writing practices and give us a better tool for expressing our emotions, which in turn aids our emotional growth. Think of it this way: when we are reading a book, we'll spot the hidden meanings between the lines, making the story even cooler. ​

This comes in handy when we are exploring when we are exploring different types of books because it helps us analyze things deeper. Writers love using these cool tricks to add drama and oomph to the stories. So., we won't just read words; we will unravel the hidden meanings within them!

And during conversations, we will catch the real vibes behind what people say. We learn the most important thing is to emphasize the spirit of Santa - generosity, kindness, and giving. That is what the spirit of the holidays is supposed to be about. It is important to not lose sight of that. And we can all be in the spirit of Santa. 

How we talk about Santa comes down to our values. Values are the beliefs, attitudes, and principles each of us shares. Discussions about Santa also provide opportunities for instilling values like respecting diversity of thought and tradition.

Kai mentions, "Santa lives in the North Pole!"
Fides shares, "Remember, he was with us during last year Christmas! It was so fun! I wish he would visit us again."

We are naturally curious, so it is likely that we take this opportunity to raise questions about Santa. At the same time. we consider the types of questions we may ask so we can thoughtfully plan answers that work for our unique attitudes and beliefs as follows:
"How does Santa deliver gifts if we do not have a chimney?"
"How do reindeer fly if they do not have wings?"
When we have questions. we can start by responding with curiosity. Rather that rush to give answers, we allow ourselves to imagine what the answer could be: Hmm. I wonder ... what do you think?"

As the holiday season approaches, there’s nothing quite as magical as the joy in a child’s eyes when we feel the spirit of Christmas. This year, we bring that magic to life by calling the one and only Santa Claus! Inspired by the festive excitement and our growing curiosity about Santa, we arranged a special virtual call to make this Christmas unforgettable.

We ask ourselves, “What do we think Santa is going to do in his workshop?” Our imaginations come alive as Fides eagerly shares, “He’s going to make gifts,” and Kai adds, “Elves are helping him make the gifts.” Our responses not only reflect our belief in the magic of Santa but also showcases our understanding of teamwork and creativity.

During our virtual call with Santa, he mentions his “extra nice list,” sparking curiosity and excitement among us. This prompts a heartfelt discussion as we ask ourselves, “What do we think would help someone be added to Santa’s extra nice list?”

Our answers are as thoughtful as we are being inspired. “Be kind,” one child shares, while another adds, “Helping each other."

We reflect on ways we can show kindness and help others, both in the classroom and at home. Ideas include sharing toys, helping a friend clean up, and making sure everyone feels included during playtime.

Our responses not only show our understanding of positive behavior but also reinforce the values we nurture every day—compassion, teamwork, and empathy.

The magic of childhood is in believing in the extraordinary. Moments like our call with Santa not only bring joy but also create memories that we will carry with them for years. It’s about fostering a sense of wonder, community, and the belief that kindness and generosity can make the world a better place.

With burlap garlands and an assortment of vibrant ribbons at our disposal, we get to work transforming our stumps into personalized masterpieces. Each stump becomes a canvas for self-expression, with us deciding how to wrap the burlap and where to tie the ribbons.

We celebrate the individuality of each child, and our latest project beautifully reflects this. Each child is provided with his or her own tree stump to design and decorate, allowing us to express our unique creativity while engaging in a meaningful, hands-on learning experience

After decorating, we carefully write our names on cards to attach to our stumps. This simple act of adding our name gives each child a deeper connection to our work, transforming our stump into a cherished keepsake.

The decorated stumps, now personalized with name tags, are placed under the classroom Christmas tree. Seeing all the stumps together creates a beautiful display of diversity and unity, with each stump reflecting the unique personality of its creator.

As the decorated stumps sit under our tree, they stand as symbols of the creativity, effort, and joy each child brings to this project. They are not just decorations; they are gifts that celebrate the individuality and teamwork that make our classroom so special.

Fides and Kai carefully stack the crates, one on top of the other, our movements deliberate and full of anticipation. As we climb to the top, our eyes widen, and a hushed "Ohhhhh" escapes our lips-a shared whisper of awe, as though we have discovered a secret world. 

Kai tilts his head upward, his voice fills with wonder, "Look at that behind you", referring the leaves are close to Melissa, pointing to the swaying branches above. Standing tall on his makeshift tower, he explores the world with fresh eyes. The ordinary becomes extraordinary-branches seem to whisper, and his laughter echoes with pride and amazement.

 Fides, equally being captivated, gazes around and suddenly exclaims, "Look at the picture, the blue one" His finger points to a detail only visible from this new height, and the colors take on a new vibrancy, his discovery full of joy and excitement.  From this new perspective, our connection deepens-not just with each other, but with the world around them, as we realize how much there is to see when we dare to climb a little higher.

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The room is quiet, filled with the soft hum of anticipation as we gather to listen to The Twelve Gifts of Santa Claus by Mauri Kunnas. Our eyes are wide, our faces illuminated with curiosity and wonder. Each page turns slowly, revealing whimsical illustrations and playful words, pulling each one of us deeper into the story.
We lean in closer, our focus unwavering as we listen to the tale of Santa's thoughtful gifts.
The story becomes more than just a tale-it is a bridge to our own holiday preparations. In this moment, we are not just listeners; they are dreamers, planners, and sharers of the magic of Christmas.

As the video begins, Santa's warm voice reaches out to the children, asking, "Are you trying your best" Not just for Christmas, but all the time? We sit still, our faces shifting from joy to deep thought as we absorb the words.
After the video ends, we ask the group. Fides feels hopeful. "I have tried," he says with  clear determination.

Kai says "I think I still need to try harder". His voice is gentle, as if he is giving himself a kind reminder. This moment grows into something more than a conversation about gifts or Christmas. It becomes a space for connection and self-reflection. We listen to each other, consider our own actions, and begin to understand what it means to try our best.

We turn to Luka, the youngest in the group, and ask playfully, "And you, Luka? Luka grins, his eyes sparkling with mischief, and shakes his head with a bold no. The room erupts in laughter, his cheeky response bringing lightness and joy to the moment.

The room bursts with energy as we hear the familiar tune of Jingle Bells. Our faces, and our bodies instinctively move-we love this song. Our movements are free and full of excitement, creating a vibrant, shared rhythm. This moment is more than just practice-it is a celebration of joy and connection. We shine in every step and every note, filling the room with a warmth that grows stronger with each beat.

Just a gentle reminder that our Christmas celebration is just a few days away. See all of you on this coming Saturday, December 7th, at 04:30 p.m. :)!

Kindest,
Children & Friends.