Experiencing Snow with Our Senses and Heart

After waiting for quite some time, the snow has finally arrived! We find it super exciting to come close and get our senses experience it. We are fascinated by the transformation the snow has created on the landscape around us. In other words, it turns our green grass into a white winter wonderland. The stillness it creates is calming, and the glistening white surroundings can be quite magical, especially when sunlight reflects off the snow.

A friend likes to collect the snow with his boots and mentions, "They like to stick on my boots." Fides likes to feel the way snowflakes fall on around him by using a stick to brush a blanket of snow on top of the tree branch. Emily, straightaway dips herself into a thick layer of snow to feel its softness. 

Being brave ourselves, we choose to walk in the thick layer of snow while carrying our snow sled looking for slopes. There is one nearby which makes our trip walkable. 
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We choose the highest point of the slopes to take turns to experience sledding. First thing comes into our mind is what is going to happen when the sled is moving down the hill? Do we faster and farther on fresh, rough snow or packed snow?

As much as we are always captivated by the world around us, Nora and Pranssi build  a cozy place,  by using open-ended materials. While working with it, they are observed to share stories of the birds and many other things around us. This is the way the opportunity arises to learn about the world in a safe, familiar environment. 

In this way, Nora and Pranssi exhibit such a natural gift for turning even the most ordinary moments into something magical. It is amazing how their imagination can turn everyday experiences into stories full of wonder and excitement. 

When we bring some snow inside to further experiment with it, we have a chance to ask about how birds feel during this cold season. Would they not feel too cold with this snow? Pranssi comes up with her explanation in a simple yet profound way. She refers to a story of Marleena and Klepetan stork birds who choose to migrate to warmer places when their homes are experiencing cold weather. It is incredible how even young minds can grasp such complex natural processes and interpret them with their own sense of wonder and simplicity. 

We extend our understanding of the characteristics of snow by including some experimental learning experience. Snow is also a natural water reservoir. When it melts, it feeds rivers and streams which is essential for drinking water, agriculture, and ecosystems.

Another creative and beautiful experiment with snow is by mixing it with some colorful watercolor, being dropped with some droppers, with some animal figurines placed underneath. We are excited with our small jars of watercolor, dropping vibrant colors onto the snow. As the droplets spread, we can watch the colors mix and blend, creating a burst of art on the white canvas. The snow looks like a huge, chilly sheet of paper, and we marvel at how the colors seep into the snow, leaving trails and patterns behind. 

Watching the snow melts under the watercolor droplets feel like witnessing a little bit of winter's magic disappear right before our eyes, As each drop touches the snow, the chill seems to fade away, and we likely are mesmerized by how the vibrant hues seem to make the snow react. 

During this learning experience we include some animal figurines covered by the snow. As the change takes place, from snow becomes water, we notice how the situation turns to be a thoughtful observation! As we watch the snow melts into water, we begin to realize the ripple effects it has on the creatures living beneath it. We wonder how the animals, who rely on the snow for shelter or protection, may be feeling with the sudden change in the environment. 

Our empathy for nature is shining through as we think about how to rescue the animals who are trapped beneath. It is a beautiful moment of awareness, where the innocence of childhood curiosity meets a growing understanding of the delicate balance in nature.

The book Very Last First Time by Jan Andrews & Ian Wallace is about a young Inuit girl named Eva who lives in northern Canada.  While we are reading Nora immediately intervenes to say, "They are Indigenous people."

Pranssi is particularly drawn to the illustration on the first page of the book. She eagerly shares her thoughts about the different kind of foxes in North America and in Canada.  Pranssi's focus shows her natural curiosity about animals. 

Kai observes Eva moving beneath the frozen sea and states, "Eva is trying to jump on it to break the ice." His words carries certainty, as if he has unlocked a hidden part of the story. While the book describes Eva's journey under the ice to collect mussels, Kai see something different. This shows how we make sense of the world through our own lenses.

As we continue exploring the book we get engaged with an image that looks like "a crab" as Fides says, and "a spider" as Kai says. A debate begins when Pranssi. instead picks a side, she shares what she knows. "Spider lives in a tree or in a cave. Crab on the sand, on the water." She is connecting both ideas, organizing our observations into a thoughtful comparison. Kai, hearing this, finds a new way to explain it. It's a spider crab! Children are active thinkers, negotiators, and meaning-makers. Through dialogue, we build understanding together, shaping each other's learning with respect.

When we reach the moment where Eva covers her eyes with her hands voices fill the space with observations and emotions.
"She is scared because she is lost."
"She is sad because she is stuck."
"She doesn't have her candle."
Each child contributes a piece of Eva's experience, layering emotions and possibilities.

When the idea of an echo emerges, Nora takes the lead using her hands. She demonstrates, "The sound comes and back to your mouth." Illustrating how sound travels and reflects.

Nora's face gets serious since she is worried about they are not wearing the right clothes. Her words convey a real sense of worry and awareness.

Since children bring the idea that Inuit are hunters. Pranssi after a thoughtful pause asks, "Maybe they are great hunters, but if Eva was a great hunter why she was scared?" Sometimes we can be afraid but we face our fears with courage we say. Children are processing the idea that fear and bravery can coexist.

​This week, we gather around for a special story time featuring the book I Love You Just the Way You Are by James Dillon and Rosie Greening. The book’s gentle message reminds us that love is all about accepting and cherishing one another exactly as we are. We listen intently, our eyes lighting up at the beautiful illustrations and thoughtful words. It is a perfect way to introduce the idea of Valentine's Day as a celebration of love in all its forms.

After our story, we have a delightful discussion about what Valentine's Day means to each of us. We share that, for us, Valentine's Day is not just about cards or candies--it’s about spending quality time with family. We talk about the warmth of a family hug, the fun of playing together, and the joy of simply being with the people we love. It was heartwarming to see our hearts connect over the idea that love is best celebrated when we’re together.

​Kai, shares a very touching insight. He mentions that sometimes he feels like he doesn’t have anyone to play with at home. But then, he realizes that his mom cooks for him and his dad plays with him—actions that show him just how much they care. Kai’s thoughtful observation is a wonderful reminder that love is expressed in many different ways, even in the little things we may take for granted.

​In addition to our heartfelt discussions, we also fill our day with music by singing "I Love You" by Barney. The familiar, cheerful tune brings smiles to everyone’s faces and created a warm, loving atmosphere in the room. As we sing together, the song's gentle lyrics echoes the messages of our story and conversations, reminding us that music is a beautiful way to express our love and appreciation for those around us.

​To celebrate our newfound understanding of love, we dive into a fun and creative art project. We begin by decorating the outside of our Valentine cards. Using a heart-shaped pipe cleaner dipped in paint, we stamp beautiful, colorful hearts onto our cards. This learning experience is not only a burst of creativity but also a great way for us to practice fine motor skills. Every stamped heart is a reminder of the love and care we share with one another.

​Tvisha, on the other hand, chooses to use her hands instead of the pipe cleaner. Her method adds an extra layer of texture and individuality to her card.

Kalyan has a different take on the learning experience. Instead of stamping the heart, he experiments with a dragging motion. His creative approach results in a unique design that truly reflects his personal style.

As we wrap up our week filled with stories, discussions, music, and art, we're eagerly anticipating our Valentine's Day celebrations next week. Our various learning experiences have taught us that love isn’t just about cards or candy—it’s about recognizing the everyday gestures that make us feel cherished, whether it's through a family meal, a playful moment, or a unique piece of art.

Kindest,
​Children & Friends.