First Day Back (@ece_stories)

Yaaaaaayyyyyy… it was the official first day back today ?? A Monyaaaaaayyyy I’ve been looking forward to. It was beautiful meeting all the children after 18 days without them ??

Anyway, the foremost thing I do every resumption day and continuously is to ensure children’s health and safety. So as we welcomed each other and tried to catch up on as many stories as possible I made sure that dietary restrictions were being followed during snacks. The other children not snacking had gravitated toward familiar resources on the shelves and had discovered new ones to explore.?

Pink play dough with sparkles was made before the program. But guess what yours truly did. I had put the play dough cutters and rollers on another cart ??. When I realized this, I also knew a higher truth which is - children’s creativity isn't dependent on cutters and tools. I gave them the play dough and after a short while I heard “I made a hot dog”; “I made a burger”; “I made pancakes”; “I made a monster”, etc. Indeed these little creators really did not need those cutters ?? .?

Another setup in the class was a table runner of colouring paper roll. I chose this not necessarily because I wanted the children to colour but because I was looking for an opportunity for group artwork. Group paintings/mural-like activities just can allow for bonding and close conversations between peers. I’m always up for anything to help foster sharing, collaborations, and friendships.?

Finally, we went outside, and the first thing I heard was "Ms. Deinma the ball has gone over the fence and the wind is moving it really fast!" ?? Some other children were playing in the sandbox and I started to hear "Ms. Deinma there is sand in my gloves; while I was trying to get the sand out of the gloves", another child said, "Ms. Deinma there is sand in my eyes". That definitely took priority and I needed to check the child's eyes. It got rinsed with water and the child said that it felt better. "Ms. Deinma I need to change my gloves, these ones are wet"; "Ms. Deinma do you have extra gloves for me I don’t have any gloves." They were making a ball pit in the sandbox and I was happy to support them in their play.?

I had two children asking for their Mum and that was understandable. Then one of the children asked for the time and after I responded they said I have a show I watch at this time that’s why I want to go home. ?? I asked for the name of the show but apparently it’s more than one show ??.

It was warm meeting families at pick-up, wishing them a happy new year, and catching up on how their holidays went. I loved every bit of it!?

I’m also privileged to work closely with a male staff this term and it made me remember the question a child once asked me, he said “Ms. Deinma, why don’t we have boy teachers?” I responded that’s a great question, I’m not sure why (obviously not wanting to bore him with a lecture on socioeconomics). Personally, I agree with that child, we need to have more boy teachers and I’m happy to be on a team with one.?

Overall today was a great start! From my perspective, I saw every child; listened to and heard every child. My goal this term and beyond is for the children to know that I’m here to support them to thrive in every area of their development. When they ask questions from any of the 5 strands of the Te Whāriki (Early childhood curriculum in New Zealand). I hope that they can sincerely answer in the affirmative.

It can only get better from here ??

Happy back-to-school to everyone who started school today.