We were into our first month in Cascades when the quarantine struck. After a couple of weeks of letting this whole situation sink in, online classes began.
We’re grateful for having strong and kind leaders in Bryce’s learning community. Here’s a letter from Ms. I during this time of crisis:
Dear Parents,
I am writing with the hope that everyone is safe and in the comfort of their homes. To our parents and guardians that are front liners, thank you very much. We will always include you in our prayers.
Conducting early childhood classes virtually is not something anyone prepares us all, and we are sincerely saying thank you to all of you for understanding our current limitations. Our team is doing the best that we can to find ways to make our children forget what is happening outside and focus more on the joy of learning and creating.
The Theme for this Month is Me, My Family and the Community, with the subtheme of Zero Waste and Sustainable Play. Since we are using an Emergent Curriculum, lessons are guided with the Curriculum of Love and Mindful Living.
We all know that being isolated makes us have this constant worry of events that we can’t control, and that makes our children feel those negative energies too. Our distant learning program is designed not only for our children to enjoy learning but to help the entire community to adjust our new normal.
According to Dr. Bessel van der Kolk of Trauma Research Foundation, we need to have these 4 cores to survive the trauma of this worldwide pandemic:
- Structure
- Connection
- Movement and Engagement
- Honing Competencies
Let us help each other bring back the rhythm of learning to our children. Our children need a predictable schedule and routine to make them feel in control. Let us try our best to help them follow the schedule.
Motivate them to join in the online classes and answer the one on one calls so we can maintain the needed connections. Our children need familiar voices and faces for them to loosen up.
Good thing, our technology now allows us to be in touch and hold them close. The games, songs, and stories will keep them engaged. The prepared classes are designed to make our children move. Trauma comes when we stop moving. Let the children feel their muscles and strengths. This is the reason why we fill the class with music so they can feel the pleasure of their body creating those beautiful movements.
Lastly, they need to feel that they can create great things and to understand that they are good at something. Let us try to make them create as much as they can.
Creating is the remedy to the loneliness isolation brought in our home, so it is encouraged that you will also join. This is the reason why I prepare something for you to work on too. Give it a try!
We will still be using Zoom for the online classes. Activity sheets, schedule, and announcements will be emailed to you and poster in the Google Classroom. We will also post announcements in the Community Group.
If you have questions or suggestions, please email or send us a direct message. Let us work together as a community to ensure that our children will continue learning and find joy in creating.
Help us bring the Atelier in your home and the joy that comes with it.
Yours truly,
Ms. I
Whenever we would say that Bryce has a class, he would ask if it is outside — and we would answer video call.
We can’t wait to high-five with everyone again!
