Nagano Rainbow – Happy hearts, Strong bodies and Healthy minds (September 8th-12th)

Hello Everyone!

Weathers getting cooler lately and we’ve been enjoying our outdoor walks and playtime comfortably. We can see and feel the changes in our surrounding, During our walks we saw lots of butterflies flying around, there were less spider webs and we saw the apples in the apple tree growing bigger, this things teaches the little ones about season. It teaches them what Fall is about, not just in picture cards but in reality.

This month of September marks half the year since school started last April, and just like the season is changing, So are the kids. We have been noticing lots of positive changes and growth among them, that we ourselves are amazed and are happy about. Physically, they are more active and they can do lots of things easily compared to when they started. Emotionally, we could see them freely express themselves whether they are happy, sad, nervous, excited, bored or tired. All this emotions both good and bad are welcomed and encouraged in class, what is important is for us, their caregivers, is to create an environment where in we help kids regulate themselves in a healthy way so they can choose to be happy and enjoy being in school and being with their friends. Mentally, well, they are like sponges and they don’t have filters, they are very curious and they have a wide range of interest, so they are quick to pick up on things, as long as its fun and when its done in a playful manner they are on board. Socially, kids are naturally friendly they always look at each other and try to observe and copy each other, they like mimicking silly and funny things. We try to let them be, as long as they are safe and are respectful. In ISN Rainbow kids are especially popular because of their cuteness, so everyone wants to play with them and they feel loved by the older kids at school.

We recently used floor mats in class, kids learn the meaning of My Space (respecting each others spaces) they also learned how to roll something and they learned criss cross sitting, we did this to add some variety in our circle time and challenge kids to try new things.

Everyone in class gained some maturity at this point, so slowly we started to give them some leadership roles as well as we started talking to them about their responsibility. Leadership means modeling the right way of doing things in class that others may follow. So leadership starts from oneself, that they themselves can follow, listen and be part of the group. Responsibility means how they take care of their belongings and the things that we share in the classroom. Responsibility also means doing the things that they are allowed to do and that they can do or try to do, as well as, responsibility means they have the understanding of not doing the things that they are not allowed to do or shouldn’t do. So far rainbow kids are very compliant and they can handle these challenges very well. We the teachers are very happy to get to be able to take care of them and our hearts are full seeing them thrive each day.

Speaking of growth, we have a new addition to our class. Please welcome, Nobi kun our new friend, we are all helping in taking care of Nobi kun and we are all excited to see what change will happen to it.

Sharing some important inspiring words. We adults might learn from.

“If children feel safe, they can take risks, ask questions, make mistakes, learn to trust, share their feelings and grow. – Alfie Kohn

Sharing here this weeks photos

Monthly theme – Playing and learning about vegetables

Digging, Washing, playing and learning about vegetables

Gym Lesson – We had our gym lesson outdoors for the first time after a long time. Funny story during our gym class the gym teacher wanted the kids to walk “chichai mama” but one of the kids said I want to do “Okii Papa” hehehe.