By Renee Hennessy, Preschool Director
A few weeks ago many of us in the Preschool attended the Heart Centered Teaching Conference hosted by the Excellence Academy Early Learning Centers. Over 300 preschool teachers from Louisville and the surrounding area were in attendance. As one can imagine, a room full of preschool teachers is invigorating because we chat a lot, laugh often, and share stories about our little friends! This year the keynote speaker was Sandra Duncan, EdD, author of Inspiring Spaces for Young Children, Rethinking the Classroom Landscape, and Bringing the Outside In. We were challenged to rethink how we use materials in the classroom, and to take a closer look at what we currently use and whether those things deserve a place within a child’s space. Sandra encouraged us to bring items from nature inside and gave us ideas of things to add to our classroom landscapes. I enjoyed thinking about our classrooms as landscapes and how to transform them into places of beauty and igniters of wonder and curiosity.
This week the 4s classes used a few ideas gleaned from the presentation in their class projects. They went on a nature walk and collected different leaves, sticks, flowers and seed pods to make paint brushes. The children were intrigued by this non-traditional way of painting and were surprised by the way some of them “worked” as brushes, while a few were less precise. We are excited to see how this meeting of the hearts and minds will continue to weave its way into our classroom landscapes throughout the year.
Tuesday, September 25th is St. Francis Day! From hamsters to horses, all pets are welcome and will be blessed by local clergy. Activities will take place in the field behind the School starting at 2:45 p.m. Preschoolers are invited to attend with a family member. Please let your child’s teacher know if you would like to participate.