Vintage Treasures in the Classroom

"The objects surrounding the child should look solid and attractive to him, and the house of the child should be lovely and pleasant in its particulars; for beauty in the school invites activity and work."

Maria Montessori

One of my favourite ways to spend a relaxing Sunday is to visit a local antique store in my town. They refresh their wares on a regular basis and it's inspiring to wander the store and see the new arrivals. I love to find unique objects and imagine how they might be used by children during free play. Sometimes objects are a vintage model of what we already have - I'd much rather offer a solid metal scale for measuring than a flimsy plastic one. Other times unfamiliar objects become invitations for exploration and play as children have not had previous experience with the new resource. Providing something interesting and unique in the learning centers for them to discover has led to some amazing questions and explorations. Children attempt to discover what a new object might be and for what other purposes they can use it.
     

Visitors to our space are surprised to see the delicate materials being used by children. I'm often asked how fragile objects are not damaged, and if children take care of the resources properly. I believe that because children consider themselves equal members in a democratic space they value their beautiful learning environment and strive to care for all materials. Do things sometimes get broken? Absolutely! But this is a rare occurrence and when it does happen it provides an excellent moment for reflection and learning so that children take care to ensure materials are safely cared for.

 

Visitors to our space also ask how I am able to acquire such interesting materials without spending a lot of personal money to do so. As a scavenger I am always on the look out for vintage items; I love to spend rainy Sundays in second hand shops looking for things that can be easily fixed up and used in the classroom. Families are also quick to donate items from their homes and yards, especially after an open house when they see just how children incorporate materials into their play. Sometimes colleagues, my own extended family and other community members will offer things they no longer need. Sending letters home to families and posting for specific items I am hoping for on social media has also resulted in some amazing items being added to our space. Because I have taught for 20+ years I have acquired quite the interesting collection! It takes time and patience to build a complex space.

Offering antiques and vintage items in the classroom not only beautifies the space, it offers many other learning opportunities for children:

• children learn about how materials and lifestyles have evolved throughout the years (e.g., learning how rotary phones evolved to dial and eventually to wireless smart devices)
• children appreciate how materials can be recycled, reused and even upcycled in place of always purchasing something new
• the classroom begins to take on an interesting eclectic flavour that can represent the spirit and history of the local community
• statement pieces can spark in depth inquiries or creative explorations (e.g., researching the purpose of an unknown object, writing about the history of an object)
• children can also explore cultural and historical significance of pieces and use them to learn more about the past
• children can emotionally connect with the aesthetics of a piece and hold wonder and curiosity for their environment
• sharing the theories children have for vintage items beyond the walls of the classroom (e.g., social media, newsletters, documentation) helps showcase young children as capable and creative and might inspire further donations
  

     

Over the years I have replaced plastic, commercial toys in our classroom with found and recycled objects. It's taken years to curate a classroom filled with wonder and excitement and I'm eager to continue this journey with the children in the upcoming school year. What unique objects are valued in your classroom? Share your ideas in the comments below or share on social media tagging @McLennan1977!

Math and Literacy Family Bags

Many families are eager to help their children practice literacy and numeracy work from school. Although traditional 'paper and pencil' homework is not developmentally appropriate in many circumstances, providing 'take home' games and activities in the form of literacy and math bags is welcomed and appreciated by many families. These interactive, hands-on, developmentally appropriate activities are easy to create and target many emergent skills and knowledge needed by young children. They are a good alternative when the school community expects work to be sent home from school. Take home bags help parents and guardians understand how literacy and numeracy can be nurtured and celebrated in the lives of young children.

You can access these, along with many free math printables, here:  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Joyful-Learning-In-The-Early-Years

As always feedback and suggestions for future resources is always appreciated!

Each One My Child: An Open Letter of Healing and Hope

I have spent much time these last two days grieving for a child not my own, for a family I don't even know. By now news of the tragedy from Disney World has spread across news outlets and social media. And although it has been one of the most upsetting situations in recent months, it's hard for me to not read the latest information as I try and make some sense of this horrible tragedy. In my online travels I've been touched by how complete strangers have reached out to one another to offer shared sympathy and support. On her blog Scary Mommy shared something today that absolutely brought me to tears. In her plea for parents to stop judging one another and instead follow a path of kindness and understanding she wrote:

"To the mother and father who went for a walk on vacation for the last time with their little boy yesterday, I am deeply sorry that you had to experience the worst kind of tragedy possible, an accident. I grieve with you. Your baby was my baby. Your son was my son. I have nothing but love for you, love to help you get though the pain yesterday, today, and for what is gonna seem like a thousand tomorrows. I wrap my thoughts and prayers around your aching heart and soul. May the God of this universe in some miraculous way bring peace to you and your family."

Scary Mommy summarized perfectly what I have been feeling in my heart. An unbearable pain for a child and family miles away. And although we do not know each other, I carry their anguish with me. You see, I am an educator of young children. And although those in my care are not biologically mine, they are like my own. I love and care for them and want the very best for them. So when there is a devastating event that affects the lives of young children, even those I do not know, it personally affects me because I cannot help but imagine how I would feel if it were one of my children or students. It causes me to hug my own children a little tighter, and smile a little brighter in the classroom.

         

My sorrow drives me to do what often brings me solitude and reflection; write. Writing is a way for me to share my passion for early childhood with others. It helps me reflect upon my practice and consider how I might continue to better myself while advocating for the lives and education of young children. And as I was at school today, looking around at the classroom and considering how the last few weeks of school might look as we enter the middle of June, I was drawn to the idea of crafting this blog post. First as a way of releasing the emotions I have held within for the last few days, but also as a way of sharing with my families just how much I appreciate being a part of your lives. When I decided to become an educator, I could not have anticipated just how much of an impact the little children in my care would have on me. They have shaped who I am as a person, educator, and mother.

So to my cherished families, please know this. Your child's time in my classroom might be a brief moment in a long and wonderful childhood but their impact on me will last a lifetime. I am a better person for those whom I have known, whom I have cared for, whom I have loved. And although I am always thrilled when your child has mastered basics like learning to write, read or add, I am most satisfied when I see the look of wonder in their eyes in our classroom. To experience the moment of pure joy a child feels when seeing a rainbow in the sky, hearing the song of their laughter when catching a hopping insect, or quietly witnessing them caring for another are my most rewarding moments. These might not always been captured in our documentation or shared beyond the classroom but they are what make my role as an early childhood educator so magical and satisfying.

When the last day of school arrives and the walls are cleared of artwork and the centres tidied of toys, there will be an empty sadness hanging in our classroom for me. Your children are my children. Just like you, I want the absolute best in life for them. Their happiness is my happiness; your family is my family.  When that final dismissal bell rings and the children are gone, I will stand in my empty classroom and sigh, satisfied knowing that I did the best I could for them in our time together, but sad that this time is now done. Summers are a much needed way to refresh and recharge (many of you have noticed my extremely hoarse voice...) but as soon as August nears I will look forward to readying the classroom for another interesting year - with it bringing a new group of children who will become my own.

Sewing our own Owls

Last Thursday our children were treated to a creative activity that encouraged them to create their own stuffed owls while learning about sewing machines and the way things work. We were fortunate that one of our mothers was able to bring in many different pieces of fabric and buttons so the children could choose how to assemble their very own unique owls!

 

Watching the sewing machine work and the craftsmanship that goes into producing something like a stuffed owl was very interesting to our children. Many had never observed a sewing machine up close and found the entire process to be fascinating!

 

We also were very lucky that another one of our mothers volunteered to assist with the creation of the owls. Seeing the difference between a sewing machine working, and a thread and needle hand sewing, showed the children that machines can make our life easier and that different machines perform different jobs.

 

 

Many children were quite content to spend their entire playtime watching the owls be created. They commented on how their friends' owls were similar and different from their own.

A big thank you to Mrs. Montcalm and Mrs. Melanson for helping put a smile on our children's faces with some colourful, happy owls! We welcome and encourage any family member who would like to share a special talent and interest with our children to contact us about coming into the classroom! We love to learn from you and you help make our classroom an even better place to be!

Wish Wreath

Thanks to those families who have sent in the ribbon with their hope or wish for their child's year in kindergarten. It's looking lovely on our classroom door!