Author: moosha02

 

Week 2: Mondays are typically the same routine for the children at Bird Song. The day starts with recognizing which children are present and the parents drop them off at the sandbox. We sing a little tune that goes “Ring a ling a ling” and the children gather at the gate to then have playtime in the garden. There are various activities that the children choose from such as playing in the treehouse, feeding the bunnies, picking crabapples, Sweet Sicily or berries. They also have the option to do garden work with one of the adults or cut vegetables for lunch. After playtime is over we gather the children in a circle and sing to welcome the day, then gather for snack time. In each activity the teachers make sure that the children listen to instructions and are aware of their bodies. The children get used to each part of the routine so that they learn to follow directions and get into habits that keep them attentive. What I admire about Aimee DeNey’s work is that she makes sure that every student is heard and respected. Every child gets undivided attention with her that students may not have in a traditional preschool setting. After snack is changing out of wet clothes into indoor shoes and clothing. Each transition can be distracting for the students but I am pleased with this group of young children that have the attention to keep up with the routine. The teacher Louise & I start preparing for lunch while Aimee tells a story particular to the paint in little jars on the table. The children then play with toys in the house that are all made out of organic materials such as wool, wood, nuts & fibers. Some children help to set the table for lunch then we gather for circles throughout the day to give children the space to regroup and sing. Although Monday’s typically have the same routine, every week is a little bit different with stories that are seasonally appropriate.

 

 

Week 1: Bird’s Song Children’s Garden provides preschool age children with a safe place to explore themselves and others. Aimee DeNey runs a small Waldorf preschool outside of her house in West Olympia. Each week is the same routine to get the students in a predictable schedule. There are typically 13 children attending each day, while there are around 35 in total enrolled. Every day of the week is similar, but there are different activities scheduled for each day. The goal of Bird’s Song is that it is a special place for children to become in touch with themselves and the environment, and get them into predictable rhythms that will prepare them for grade school. After interviewing Aimee DeNey for this internship position I came to the conclusion that one of her mail goals is to give children a safe place to explore themselves and others. Young children are impressionable and are rarely given the space to be children without influence of media and the outside world. Although technology and society are unavoidable, I respect Aimee’s vision because I think children do need a space that they can grow.