An "ordinary moment" refers to our everyday flows or interactions that may seem simple at first glance, but are actually rich opportunities for learning and growth. For example, when we help set the table for mealtime, or practice using utensils, we are developing fine motor skills, social skills, and language. These ordinary moments are powerful because we provide ourselves opportunities to engage with the world, experiment, make choices, and learn through experiences. We help ourselves understand our surroundings, build relationships, and practice important skills in a natural way. “I want to be a chef!” - Pranssi. This expression is uttered by Pranssi on Monday morning. Recognizing her interest, we invite her to put into a hands-on learning experience, together with Kai, to prepare our chocolate chip pancakes for self and friends. Practicing our learning into our ordinary moments is truly enjoyable! Counting objects by matching one-to-one correspondence synchronizes our logical thinking to internalize the concept of quantity and numeracy. When Kai is counting ten chocolate chips and places one number next to each chocolate chip, he can visually and conceptually grasp that “10” means ten individual objects. Luka exhibits keen interest in attempting to insert a stick into a hole of the square foam. During his independent attempts, he is observed to engage hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and strength in his hand and fingers while the square foam provides a safe, and tactile material that is easy to manipulate. In this experience, Luke engages precision, concentration, and spatial awareness. This hand game "Cho-co-la-te" takes a hit instantly with Fides guide Kai to learn to understand concepts like rhythm, turn-taking, and sometimes even counting. In the context of fine motor skills, these hand games can be a playful way for us to practice coordination, timing, and finger control. Through our conversation, we make sense of the world around us. While talking and listening, we develop our critical thinking, social awareness, and emotional intelligence. When asked what she thinks of the situation when a squirrel takes the food of the birds, she demonstrates her empathetic thinking, saying, "Maybe the squirrel does not have any home, that's why they take the bird's food." She is not only observing the situation but is also trying to understand it from the squirrel's perspective. By suggesting that the squirrel might not have a home, she is considering factors beyond just the action itself, which shows that she is thinking deeply about what could be motivating the squirrel's behavior. This kind of empathetic response demonstrates emotional intelligence, as she is able to connect with the potential needs of the squirrel, rather than just labelling it as a negative action. It also emphasizes a level of compassion and an ability to think beyond her own experience. The above situation resonates with Kai's response. He utters how "we should make another space for the squirrel." By proposing his idea, we may come to work with our emotional intelligence. We use empathy to understand the broader context of situations and to apply kindness and care when interpreting the actions of others - whether human or animal. It helps us develop a sense of fairness, and it can also encourage us to think critically and creatively about how to solve problem. We transform our table into an inviting art station by laying a dark board as our backdrop. This not only provides a striking contrast for the white salt but also turns the table into a “canvas” ready for exploration. Each child is given a scoop of salt, which we carefully pour in front of them. The tactile experience of handling the salt is a wonderful way for us to engage our senses right from the start. We engage in a delightful sensory and creative activity by scooping salt and using us hands to flatten it before drawing with a feather. We explore various designs—from shapes and swirls to writing our names—with the feather’s gentle touch creating delicate lines on the salt. This hands-on experience not only fosters fine motor skills and self-expression but also encourages social interaction as we share ideas and admire each other’s work. The learning experience's open-ended nature allows us to easily start over, making it a versatile and repeatable tool for stimulating creativity and sensory exploration in the classroom. As a part of our journey to connect with nature and the animals around us, we set out with open hearts and hands full of seeds, offering a gift of care to the birds in the forest. We collect the seeds imagining the tiny birds fluttering down to enjoy their food. This thoughtful and caring action of ours bring us to take the initiative to provide food for birds in the forest. This beautiful way of our growing empathy, connection with nature, and understanding of the needs of other living beings. It also shows a sense of responsibility and kindness, as we want to help support animals. even when we don't directly benefit from it ourselves. The next step is to find some quiet space for us to start noticing what's going to happen! This type of action often stems from our developing understanding of the natural world and a growing sense of environmental stewardship. Additionally, this experience can lead to deeper reflections about nature, interdependence, and what animals need to thrive. It also gives us a chance to observe the impact of our actions - such as seeing the birds come to enjoy the food - and can help us learn about cause and effect. When we return next day, we notice something unexpected-the seeds remain untouched. But rather than feeling discouraged, curiosity emerge. We feel for the birds and begin to wonder what might be happening in their worlds. Fides, with a thoughtful look, wonders if the birds simply do not like the seeds. He recognizes that just like people, animals have their own preferences too. Nora suggests that maybe the birds are hungry but prefer something sweet, acknowledging that all living beings have tastes and cravings, just like us. Pranssi shares a tender thought, perhaps the birds do not want to leave their babies alone. She steps into the birds' lives, imagining their love and responsibility just as she sees in her own world. These reflections are expressions of deep empathy. We observe the birds and feel for them, care for them, and try to understand their unseen world. Kai shares an insightful observation about feeding the animals around us by suggesting that we place food for birds and squirrels in separate areas so that each animal can easily reach its own food without interfering with the other; his idea of using a high bird feeder for birds and a ground-level feeding spot for squirrels not only meets the individual needs of these creatures but also teaches us valuable lessons about fairness, respect, and the importance of thoughtful planning, which we have embraced at our center by setting up designated feeding areas that ensure our feathered and furry friends enjoy their meals safely while providing our children with a wonderful, hands-on learning experience about nature and the power of careful observation. As part of our collections of ordinary moments, the above situation is indeed a beautiful moment to witness! When Tvisha shows her tender care toward Emily, it is a clear sign of empathy, compassion, and emotional intelligence. These acts of kindness of Tvisha offering a comforting hug, helping Emily when she is feeling not okay - are incredibly important in fostering emotional bonds and teaching us how to nurture relationships. Tender care often involves reading social cues, understanding when someone is upset or in need, and responding with sensitivity and warmth. By experiencing it, Tvisha and Emily build social skills. It teaches us the value of listening, supporting others, and being a good friend - skills that will continue to help us navigate relationships as we grow. Plus, when a child experiences and practices kindness, it reinforces positive behavior, creating a cycle of care and compassion. We close our week with movement, music, and magic in our classroom! We explore the beauty of expression and the wonder of nature through dance, all inspired by the enchanting song "Blowing in the Wind" by Stephanie Leavell. The gentle melody sets a calming atmosphere that encourages us to move freely, experiment with our gestures, and feel the fabric as it flows through the air, much like the wind. This playful learning experience not only enhances our motor skills and sensory awareness but also nurtures social interactions and emotional well-being, reinforcing the value of integrating art and movement into early learning experiences. Kindest
Children & Friends.
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