As children leave the comfort and familiarity of home and family, they are encountering new people, spaces, activities, and routines at Park West. We hope they will come to feel that their school, and their classroom, is their space as well. To that end, we try to provide ways to foster this sense of belonging, and to make a connection for them between home and school.
One way is by designating a space in the classroom that is just for them. Amid all the communal spaces, we provide a cubby space for each child. With a hook for coats and bags, and a shelf to store artwork or things from home, each space is marked by a name tag with their photo. Children chose a spot to hang their name tag, and now they can see exactly which spot is theirs. Along with the cubby tag with their picture, we provide a name tag to designate their little storage shelf under the bench. Last week kids decorated those tags with stickers, stamps and markers.
They will come to learn that their cubby is their safe space, where things from home won’t be bothered or used by other kids. Some even sit on/in the cubbies for a chat at arrival or a quiet respite during a busy day. Many kids spend time studying all the names and faces of their classmates on the cubby tags. The tags can also be a handy visual tool as kids are learning to write their names, or their friend’s, and may be carried over to the easel or tables to give kids a closer look at the letters.
The little canvas bag with your child’s name on it is another way we provide a home-school connection. Something that came from school, and can go back and forth to carry treasures or practical things, offers a type of transitional object for your child. This bag is a good size to carry rolled-up paintings and other artwork, and is small enough to discourage bringing too many things, or becoming too heavy. Your child may like to bring it - or another bag or backpack - to school each day.
We also like to offer materials and activities that are familiar to kids, and may provide a bit of home at school. We sing songs that may already be in your child’s repertoire, especially in the beginning of the year. We’ve had some enthusiastic renditions of Twinkle Little Star at our group times as kids recognize and join in to sing a familiar tune! The play kitchen and babies invite family play, which is a great way for children to process and think about home. There is much cooking and serving of food, timers set and dinging, babies given bottles. Imaginative play can give kids a chance to take on other family roles, pretending to “go to work,” deciding on bedtimes, or leaving the baby with a babysitter. Sharing snack together is another way to bring in elements of home. Eating together and chatting around the table is a familiar and enjoyable time for most kids. Bringing the snack can be a nice way to think about school at home, and provide that connection to home while in JK. We mentioned our snack calendar to the kids the other day, so your child might start asking when their turn will come. We also intend to compose our Family Book soon, so that kids can look at their family photos while at school. This is usually a nice touchstone, a great conversation starter, and a way for children to get to know each other’s families.
Of course, their biggest connection between home and school is you. As you supported your child through separation, they could see that you were also getting to know the teachers and becoming familiar with this space. Seeing you connecting and conversing with us can reassure them that teachers can be trusted resources at school. Thanks for the opportunity to work with your family, and for opening up your home and family to us - just as we welcome you and your family into our Park West home. We really appreciate all the care and time you’ve offered to us and your children, as they expand their ideas and widen their understanding of school, and our connection to your home and family.