Time is such a difficult concept for children and even some adults. I often take photos when the children are busy playing – snapshots of special moments. Often the camera doesn’t fully capture what I saw but the photo can still serve as reminder of that brief moment in time. These are some recent photos of moments that I found interesting.
These are the props the children have set up as part of their ‘Santa’ game. The little tree they built from Bunny Blocks and the snack they have put out for Santa. These preschoolers initiate this dramatic play activity many times every week – not because it is Christmas time but rather because it is something they enjoy doing together – cementing their friendships. They take turns being ‘Santa’. The ‘children’ pretend to sleep in makeshift beds in the corner of the room while ‘Santa’ gathers their favorite toys from around the room to give each child as gifts. They demonstrate such wonderful understanding of what their friends like and the importance of giving to others. Christmas was months ago but time is irrelevant.
The children also enjoy purposely slipping on ice patches on the backyard deck and walkway. I keep breaking up the icy areas or covering them with sand – not because I don’t want the children to have fun but because I don’t like falling. The activity was not a problem but there was a better place and time for it – I took them for a walk so they could slide here;
February was officially ‘I love to read month’ and I didn’t plan any special activities. With this little group reading is always a special activity especially when you’re with your friends.
Another special time is the end of the day when there are only one or two children left – they wait for the ‘magic’. When the conditions are right at the end of a sunny day if you’re lucky enough to be the last to go home you may be here when this happens.
For a very brief moment in time the sun will make the music area sparkle.
Sadly, now that the time has changed we probably won’t see this again for a while but some day in the future the magic will return. It will just take time.
Cheryl's Child Care 