L’hitraot, See you Again!

Dear Families,

We have had a wonderful end to a wonderful school year.  We re-visited several favorite activities this week.  Last week, as we begun to discuss the coming of the end of the school year, the children were invited to suggest some of the things that they would like to do again.  And so, we made one last batch of challah, played with the marble run as much as humanly possible, and read many, many books.

We enjoyed our author study of James Marshall this week, and focused on some of our favorite stories: those about George and Martha, two hippos who are very good friends.  James Marshall wrote several books telling humorous stories about these two hippos, each book containing several stories.  On Monday, we had a discussion about the two characters, and the children worked hard to put together some of the information that they had gathered about each character throughout the various stories.  On Tuesday, we wrote a letter to George and Martha.  The children wanted to know if they go to school!  On Wednesday, we acted out a favorite story about George and Martha.  Our combined experiences of discussion, writing, and acting served to deepen the children’s comprehension of the stories, and to allow them to begin to understand the concept of characters and perspective in stories.

We enjoyed investigating materials related to the study of insects this week.  We used small plastic insects and cards with sequential pictures to learn about the different stages of metamorphosis.  We also tried camouflaging toy insects onto floral fabric and photographs of flowers, leaves, and other natural objects.  We discussed how insects use camouflage to protect themselves from predators.  Finally, we even looked at x-rays of real insects, and matched them to photographs of different kinds of insects.  Many of the children present a natural curiosity in relation to the study of insects.  While many of us adults would rather avoid an encounter with a spider, it is a gift to see the world through the eyes of a four- or five-year-old: full of wonder and intrigue.  Insects present children with opportunities to learn about important biological concepts, including growth, predator and prey relationships, and natural defenses. 

We also spent time this week working on gifts for Father’s Day.  We hope that you enjoy them.  However, the majority of our work this week was spent in preparing for the “Big Goodbye Day.”  The children finished using writing and drawing to share some of their thoughts and memories of the school year, and we have put their work together in books.  Focusing on positive memories is a wonderful coping skill for young children as they say good-bye to a special time in their lives.  Talking at home about wonderful memories of days in school can help children to cope with the change. 

The end of a school year is often a time for mixed emotions for both children and adults, particularly in families who are leaving preschool behind.  We feel both happy about the accomplishment and the new adventures to come, but also sad about the change and the end of a wonderful time.  It is hard for all of us to know how to act when we encounter mixed emotions, and it is particularly hard for young children.  They cannot identify if they are feeling happy or sad or both, and they therefore cannot figure out how to act on their feelings of cope with them.  At school, we often say, “At the end of school, some children feel sad and some children feel happy, but most children feel both.”  This can help children to recognize what they are feeling.  Related to children’s mixed emotions and confusion surrounding the change, you may notice some regression in behavior at home.  Some children find it helpful to be reminded about the things that are consistent in their lives – the things that are not changing.  For example, you might say, “Even though school is over for the year, Mommy and Daddy will still take care of you.  You will still have bedtime TV every night.  The rules at home are still the same.”  Consistency at home can ground children and make them feel more secure when there is a change in their school situation.

We wish a hearty congratulations to our first TCEE graduates.  We will miss them dearly, but wish them all the best in the new adventures that lie ahead for them.  We hope that they will be in touch often.

We would like to thank you all so very much for sharing your children and your families with us their year.  It has been such a delight to watch them learn, grow, laugh, learn, and come together as friends this year.  We are so grateful for the trust that you placed in us this year in teaching the TCEE’s first pre-kindergarten class, and we were honored to be their teachers. 

L’hitraot, and we look forward to seeing many of you in camp this summer!

-Morah Larissa, Morah Marla, and Morah Kate