We are so lucky to have Ms.
Macri join our Kindergarten team. She
has lots of experience working with young children and brings new ideas and energy
to our program. We would like to say a big welcome to our returning Senior Kindergarten Friends and new Junior Kindergarten Friends and their Families.
It has been a bit of an adjustment moving from our half day program to our Full-Day Early Learning Kindergarten Program. But I think we have begun to settle in and are engaging in some wonderful inquiry experiences.
“Play
nourishes every aspect of children’s development and forms the foundation of
intellectual, social, physical, and emotional skills necessary for success in
school and in life. Play paves the way
for learning.”
Canadian
Council on Learning: Let The Children Play: Natures Answer to Early Learning” (2006)
I thought that this poem helped emphasize the importance of play both at home and at school.
Just Playing
When
I am building in the block room, please don't say I'm "just playing."
For you see, I'm learning as I play, about balance and shapes. Who knows, I may
be an architect someday.
When
I'm getting dressed up, setting the table, caring for the babies, don't get the
idea I'm "just playing” For, you see, I'm learning as I play; I may be a
mother or a father someday.
When
you see me up to my elbows in paint or standing at an easel, or molding and
shaping clay, please don't say, "He is just playing." For, you see,
I'm learning as I play. I'm expressing myself and being creative. I may be an
artist or an inventor someday.
When
you see me sitting in a chair "reading" to an imaginary audience,
please don't laugh and think I'm "just playing." For, you see, I'm
learning as I play. I may be a teacher someday.
When
you see me combing the bushes for bugs, or packing my pockets with choice
things I find, don't pass it off as "just play." For you see, I'm
learning as I play. I may be a scientist someday.
When
you see me engrossed in a puzzle or some "plaything" at my school,
please don't feel the time is wasted in "play." For, you see, I'm
learning as I play. I'm learning to solve problems and concentrate. I may be in
business someday.
When
you see me cooking or tasting foods, please don't think that's because I enjoy
it, it is "just play." I'm learning to follow direction and see
differences. I may be a cook someday.
When
you see me learning to skip, hop, run and move my body, please don't say I'm
"just playing." For, you see, I'm learning as I play. I'm learning
how my body works. I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.
When
you ask me what I've done at school today, and I say, "I just
played", please don't misunderstand me. For you see, I'm learning as I
play. I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in my work. I'm preparing for
tomorrow. Today, I am a child and my work is play.
~Anita Wadley
As You Will See, We are Many Of These Things, While We "Play" At School.
HAVE YOU PLAYED TODAY?
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