DAILY GALLERY

DAILY GALLERY

Young children connecting to plants and seeds crea

Young children connecting to plants and seeds creating a reflective relationship is key to our future! “The ability of humans to manipulate the landscape and recognize the consequences of doing so puts us in a peculiar position. As a species we are assigned the duty to provide and proliferate. Our goal is to achieve stability for ourselves and our kin. However we also have an obligation to maintain the environment, as we depend on the resources and services it provides. The question then becomes: what is our role in nature?” ~ Richard Robinett With this in mind, we worked with the children to closely observe and engage with the plants and seeds in our environment. As we explore in-depth, we wonder what the children’s detailed observations and ideas will be about nature that surrounds us! #naturelovers #ecofriendly #childrenoutdoors #childrenandnature #stewardsoftheearth #ecosystem #parenting #outdoorclassroom #forestschool #stewardsoftheland #seedlings #seeds #preschool

“Food is the ingredient that binds us together!” ~unknown. One day, teacher Laila was eating warm Persian food at the lunch table. The children smelled the delicious food and asked what it was and if they could try it. Teacher Laila suggested that they have a Persian Food Tasting at Lunch on Friday so all the children can try it! The children were so excited and decided to use inventive spelling based on sounds they hear to write signs/notes for parents to read and know that they don’t need to pack a lunch for school that Friday because they were going to try Persian food! That Friday the children ate all the koohbideh, rice, tomatoes, and salad with a dill yogurt dressing, laughed and chatted with friends, and rubbed their bellies saying YUM! Have we started something? What will the children want to try next week? Are they going to wish to visit the places/cultures these foods came from? Food for thought! #foodbindsustogether #loveoffood #persianfood #westwoodvillage #breakingbread #cooking #relationship #preschool #globalcitizen #loveforfood #culturaldiversity #pluralism #multicultural #thislandisyourland #preschool #inventivespelling #writing

The toddlers used clay to depict the story of the

The toddlers used clay to depict the story of the lizard. The lizard was all alone and she needed a mom. She also needed clothes. She needed yummy food like peas, banana, tea, pancakes, and Diet Coke 😂. The lizard wanted to go to the beach so the toddlers made the lizard a beach bag too and packed it with beach essentials! The lizard was now happy! #childrensstories #claywork #clay #hundredlanguagesofchildren #connectingthroughstories #storytelling #lizards #childrenart #childrensplay #learningtoplay #socialemotionaldevelopment #preschool

"If you truly believe in your idea, start building

"If you truly believe in your idea, start building – one brick at a time — and don’t stop until you’ve completed it." ~ Unknown. #tallestbuildingintheworld #tallstructures #blockbuilding #environmentasthirdteacher #outdoorclassroom #outdoorclimbing

Sending postcards... We invited the children to cr

Sending postcards... We invited the children to create postcards to send to their families. Some children wrote words like LOVE on the postcard to send to their families. Others drew a picture for their family. Giselle created a story of a whale to send to her mom. There is something beautiful about sending postcards, notes, letters, mail to our loved ones in lieu of the thousands of text messages we exchange in this digital era! #digitalage #postcard #familytime #writingletters #childrenart #expressinglove #childrensideas #childrensstories #nostalgia #mailart #loveletters #watercolor #atelierista #reggioemiliaapproach #reggioinspiredpreschool #reggioinspired #parenting #materialwork #synapseatelier

The two children age two and five work with focus

The two children age two and five work with focus to find where worms live. It seems they live in the dark soil in the garden bed and under wet tree stumps but not at the surface where dry dirt sits by the bushes! Why do the worms live here and not there? Questions lead to a search for answers and the spiral of learning begins! “Allowing young children to have a hand in molding their own learning yields confident learners who formulate and express their ideas.” ~Synapse Atelier #dirt #environmentisthethirdteacher #reggioinspired #childrenoutdoors #gardeningwithkids #worms #exploringnaturewithchildren #outdoorclassroom #synapseatelier

The Everything Market, of the children, by the chi

The Everything Market, of the children, by the children, for the children. The children wanted to create a market and we started off by discussing what would be in this market. The children had many specific ideas and in the end they decided that all the ideas were important. So they decided to have an everything market which they wanted to call Target! The teachers explained that Target had a little c with a circle around it near its name which meant that idea/name was taken and that others could not use it. The children said, “We will call it Everything Market” and they put a c with a circle next to the name. Next they discussed the layout. The children tried many shelving layouts for the market and they agreed on the L shaped layout which seemed roomier to the children. Finally we asked the children where they will get the goods for the market. They said we can get it from nature, other stores, or our homes. The first week children brought things from home. Plush unicorns, fruit, toys, coffee cups, and more! The next week the children went for a walk and found pine cones, lemons and more in nature and brought that back for the market! The Everything market was open for business and the children had various ideas about money! Some children said the goods should be free and others mentioned that customers needed to pay just like they would at real markets. We asked them what would happen if a customer didn’t have money? The children said they could get money from the bank or from a job or they could create their own money! One day we made corn bread to sell in the market and the children working in the market gave away the bread when customers didn’t have money and now they are wondering how do we get more corn bread mix from a real store? How do we get real money? Can we use fake money at a real store or at a bank? The children interviewed some grownups to get some ideas! The grownups suggested we sell lemonade from the ample lemons on our neighborhood citrus trees! The children loved this idea. Other grownups said they could do small chores/jobs at home and their parents could pay them real money! We wonder how these ideas will unfold! #synapseatelier

Last night the teachers attended a talk by Frank B

Last night the teachers attended a talk by Frank Bruni, Op-Ed NY Times. Frank spoke about choosing colleges that provide students with “new experiences” that “expand their perimeters and rattle their presumptions.” Seeking the same experiences and staying within our comfort zone narrow our vision and intellectual growth. He reminded us that digital media gives us “the daily me” leaving us validated in our own bubble. Seeking new experiences, starting a dialogue with new people that we typically would not do so, challenges us to listen and reflect on different perspectives. Thank you Bri and Willows Community School for this wonderful opportunity to hear Frank Bruni! #willowscommunityschool #frankbruni #newyorktimes #nytimes #multipleperspectives #progressiveeducation #reggioinspired #reggioemiliaapproach #bri_inspiration #nytimesoped #belair

Rain changes the way the ground feels! The way the

Rain changes the way the ground feels! The way the landscape looks! New possibilities! The children drive their trucks around in the mud and notice a large puddle! They move the water with various materials. Their curiosity growing! What will they do next? #mudpuddles #outdoorplay #naturelovers #environmentasthirdteacher #childreninnature #belair #synapseatelier

Group Hugs: communicating through touch! There ar

Group Hugs: communicating through touch! There are many ways for children to connect: verbal communication, gestures, touch, play, and through observing one another. Here we see three toddlers engaging in a group hug; expressing joy and friendship! “Skin contact, or physical touch such as hugging, is one of the most important stimulation required to grow a healthy brain and a strong body. ...a nurturing touch like gentle hugging can provide positive stimulation a young brain needs to grow healthily” ~ ParentforBrain So keep on hugging! 🤗❤️. #parenting #hugs #brainstimulation #toddlerparenting #braindevelopment #ece #synapseatelier

After hearing the Stone Soup story, we decided to

After hearing the Stone Soup story, we decided to try this idea for our Friday lunch. Every child from age two to five was asked to bring something to add to the stone soup. They brought onion, broccoli , carrots, sweet potato, potato, chicken, pasta, garlic, asparagus and more. We set up cutting boards with kid safe cutting tools and they began cutting their delightful contribution into bite size pieces! It was amazing for the children to experience how it felt to bring something to share for the greater good! The children were focused on prepping for the lunch they would have together! It’s important for children to have an understanding that their cumulative actions yield important outcomes. Children helping with family dinners and chores around the house also gives them an understanding about what it means to work together and how each person’s contribution matters. We invite you to make stone soup in your communities. ❤️🙏🏼 #stonesoup #cookingwithchildren #ece #buildingcommunity #reggioinspired #childrensgarden #preschoolteacher #parenting #synapseatelier

Cultivating Empathy "The baby seems to act like a

Cultivating Empathy
"The baby seems to act like a heart-softening magnet.” ~DAVID BORNSTEIN, NY times Reported speaking about the Roots of Empathy program. For our youngest preschool children age 2, the babies were a conduit for coming together and creating a culture of empathy. We observed how the children’s own prior experiences and experiences with babies as siblings supported their understandings and elicited empathy and problem solving. The children came together to offer support to the babies as families do feeding them and taking them for check ups and putting them down for naps and more! According to John Gloster-Smith, a life coach: “Empathy is described as being the ability to sense how another is feeling, to pick up on and respond to someone’s unspoken concerns or feelings, or to understand the issues or concerns behind another’s feelings. It requires self-awareness. It means being able to sense and understand one’s own emotional responses, a “feeling within.” Hence one can resonate with another, because one can sense it inside.”
We look forward to children’s further examinations of the self-awareness that promote a culture of empathy in our classroom. We wonder, what additional dramatic play materials and narratives might further illicit explorations of character? #babies #empathy #earlychildhoodeducator #earlychildhoodeducation #reggioinspired #dramaticplay #parenting #preschoolteacher #eq #emotionaldevelopment #socialemotionaldevelopment #synapseatelier

“Painting is a blind man's profession. He paints

“Painting is a blind man's profession. He paints not what he sees, but what he feels, what he tells himself about what he has seen." Pablo Picasso.
It was a lovely afternoon. We had some beautiful white paper, some line tools and mirrors. Teachers asked one question, “What do you see?” and then stepped back to watch what transpired! #selfportrait #childrensart #childrenpainting #preschoolteacher #parenting #childrensperspective #handsonlearning #portraits #watercolor #selfreflection #reggioinspired #artislife #earlychildhoodeducation #ece #watercolorpainting #watercolorportrait #developingthewholechild #observationaldrawing #watercolorartwork #childrenart #preschoolart #earlychildhoodeducator #synapseatelier #atelier #progressiveeducation #expressiveart #drawingportrait #visualart #reggioemiliaapproach #johndewey #synapseatelier

A group of children have been fascinated by creatu

A group of children have been fascinated by creatures such as Komodo dragons, bald eagles, unicorns, and more. They used clay to depict their ideas of the Komodo’s long mouth with disintegrating saliva and the bald eagles expansive wings, and the rainbow unicorns magical powers! Throughout time these creatures have been powerful symbols. The book of the beast exhibit at Getty Museum captures the story of these beasts and what they symbolized in the medieval period. “Animals tumble, soar, and race through the pages of the bestiary, a popular type of medieval book describing the beasts of the world. Abounding with vibrant and fascinating images, the bestiary brought real and fantastical creatures to life for readers. So cherished were these vividly imagined beasts, they often “escaped” from manuscripts to inhabit other art works made during the medieval period, and even up to the present day.” Quoted from https://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/bestiary/ #gettymuseum #claywork #bookofbeasts #mythicalcreatures #childrensart #childsimagination #childrensbooks #childrensideas #synapseatelier #reggioinspired #belair

What is collaboration verses cooperation and coord

What is collaboration verses cooperation and coordination? Collaboration- creating and working together toward a shared vision. Cooperation - exchange of information in support of each other's goals. Coordination - system of people or things working together for a set goal or outcome #hundredlanguagesofchildren #claywork #belair #parenting #preschoolteacher #reggioinspired #expressiveart #creativetoddler #ece #homebasedpreschool #preschool #uclaparents #ucla #westwood #encino #toddlerexploration #toddlerplay #cooperativelearning #collaborationovercompetition #collaboration #collaborativeart #synapseatelier

Rendering an observational drawing of a sunflower

Rendering an observational drawing of a sunflower is all about a child’s perspective and visual interpretation. Observations are about connecting with what you see. Does the detail you observe remind you of something? Does it evoke a feeling? Owen saw the inner green textured circle of the sunflower and then an outer “carpet” circle with petals flowing off the edge of the carpet. Owen decided his petals would be rainbow inspired. Frida drew the sunflower with great detail and decided to put a rainbow landscape around the sunflower! Koba saw the sunflower as an abstract blend of greens and yellows that flowed vertically through the paper! What is your observation and perspective of the sunflower? What would your rendering look like? #reggioemiliaapproach #selfportrait #childrensart #childrenpainting #preschoolteacher #parenting #childrensperspective #handsonlearning #portraits #watercolor #selfreflection #reggioinspired #artislife #earlychildhoodeducation #ece #watercolorpainting #watercolorportrait #preschoolgraduation #developingthewholechild #observationaldrawing #watercolorartwork #childrenart #preschoolart #earlychildhoodeducator #synapseatelier #atelier #progressiveeducation #expressiveart #drawingportrait #visualart

Two year olds work with a new medium -Clay. Workin

Two year olds work with a new medium -Clay. Working with something new is about building a relationship and forming connections. How does a teacher inspire and support these connections? Teacher Angelica set out three blocks of clay on a large canvas covering it with towels. She invited children to wonder what might be hiding under the towels! Their minds connected with the medium through curiosity even before seeing the clay. Expectations were set and expanded as the teacher heard their ideas about what was hiding under the towels and additional questions about the shape of the medium and what it might feel like. When the clay was uncovered, Angelica observed their interactions and at times whispered to the group what she noticed, inviting other children to connect with the discoveries. Some children used their hands and others used their whole bodies to connect to the clay and some were observing and wondering what would happen if they touched the clay. Angelica had small pieces of clay available for children who were still thinking about touching the large blocks, she also had animals and dowels near by to support the different ways children would connect with the clay. She knew that some children would use an object to touch the unfamiliar clay before using their actual hands. Her understanding of the children and her observations along with her verbal provocations to inspire the children to engage with clay on a deeper level led to a meaningful exploration of clay. Here are some pictures from our initial clay exploration. What do you notice? What are the children’s ideas? What strategies did they use to connect with clay? #clay #earlychildhoodeducation #parenting #preschool #ece #reggioinspired #hundredlanguagesofchildren #toddlerplay #sculpture #creativetoddler #arteducator #art #belair #toddlerexploration

“Curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I t

“Curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people” – Leo Burnett. The children brought over some rocks to the table where we have been exploring watercolors. We wondered how the children would use the rocks with watercolors. Many painted around the rocks using a tracing technique while others painted over the rocks watching the paint drip off on to the paper. We know the children are feeling more confident about trying new techniques and we wonder how they will continue to use these rocks with paint. #watercolor #positivenegativespace #creativeexpression #childrensart #environmentasthirdteacher #reggioinspired #atelier #watercolortechnique #toddler #parenting

The children found a snail and when it came out of

The children found a snail and when it came out of the shell and started moving, the children were in awe. They just observed. They predicted that the snail would fall once it reached the edge of the wall but it didn’t. So they wondered, “Why didn’t the snail fall?” #childrensideas #preschool #belair #ece #reggioinspired #snails #naturewalks #parenting

Recently the children have been discussing their i

Recently the children have been discussing their ideas about monsters being scary. Teachers wondered with the children to understand what made monsters scary. We invited the children to reference storybook monster characters and to draw their own monster ideas deconstructing the monster parts that appeared scary and the monster actions that the children deemed scary. After reflecting, the children agreed that something can look scary such as the monster in The Nightmare in My Closet book but may not actually be scary because that monster does not do anything scary. One idea from the monster study was that sharp teeth are potentially scary because it can bite people and sharks are scary because they bite people to eat their blood. It seems the children have heard about media stories. We documented the children’s ideas about sharks and invited them to expand on how sharks might live beyond biting humans. The teachers wanted to encourage children to take multiple perspectives and further hypothesize about why sharks might bite people? The children studied shark photos to find clues about how sharks lived in various waters. Did sharks have families? Then the teachers watched the children role play sharks stories which revealed children’s in-depth ideas about what sharks eat and why and how they live their daily lives. The children said sharks live in caves/dens underwater and they mainly eat fish, lobsters, seals and seafood all day long because they are so big. They said sharks sleep a lot and they eat whales too because they need lots of blood and occasionally they bite humans because they are scared. As the shark play evolved we saw a mischievous side of sharks who engaged with a peer who was pretending to be a mommy with a baby. They captured the baby and the mother offered the sharks some chocolate in exchange for the baby to which they disagreed and so she offered them another human doll to which they agreed. Later the sharks found a whale and they bit the whale for blood and the mommy protested wishing the sharks would just become vegan. Such a wonderful story engaging children with many layers of interaction, reflection, ideas, perspectives... TBC

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