Lakeside School: Tiny Miracles

Lakeside School at Black Kettle Farm offers birth – 2nd grade (soon to be 3rd grade) education based on the Waldorf philosophy on a working farm in Essex, NY.

Tiny Miracles, Kindergarten Update

Sledding at Lakeside (Credit: Jen Zahorchak)

I want to share with you a picture of a typical day with the children in the Kindergarten. I think because I am immersed within the rhythm and daily events of our day, I may not get the opportunity to fully recognize the tiny miracles that unfold each day. Each morning (weather permitting) we begin our day outside. You as parents have already done the superb work of helping to bundle them up, possibly pack a lunch, and make it to the gate between 8:30 and 8:45, with helmets and car seats in tow. Each day the children navigate how to enter the play. They exert incredible energy both socially and physically. The balance, stamina, coordination and nimbleness to be able to hold a sled and the wire fence as others slip into their laps and load up for a ride down the slippery slope is a small miracle. The fact that they have the body awareness to lean, grip or drag their feet as brakes to avert a collision is another extraordinary feat! The children have heard repetitive requests to walk up the sides of the sledding hill and at this point in the season it happens almost every time. The repetition of the multiple trips down the hill solidifies their comfort and agility in movement, and the continued feeling of being at home in their bodies. An incarnating exercise for all.

Kindergarteners feeding the calves (Credit: Jen Zahorchak)

Out of the seeming chaos of the sledding reverie the children gather for our morning circle. Each morning this ability to organize ourselves in a semi round circle is in itself miraculous. The progression I witness from September to now is tremendous. The children are given partners and trailing behind the garden in a steady stream we go to help care for the cows. This happens the same way most every day, creating a strong habit life the children come to know and depend on. This building of a habit life is foundational for the children to be open and ready for future endeavors.Each child climbs up on the bales and boards and waits for a flake of hay to be passed that they skillfully slip into the manger. After our chores are done we often explore the winter wonders about the farm, with great joy and curiosity finding tracks and eating snow.

When we return to the school house, another miracle occurs. Each child with 6+ outer wear items undresses and hangs their snow pants, jackets etc. in their cubby and helps themselves to putting on their indoor shoes. I think this is the biggest accomplishment of the day. The self sufficiency and the capableness of every child is remarkable. Many of the children could not do this independently at the beginning of the year, and some are still working to refine their skills often helped by an older friend. We enter the classroom and one by one the children wash their hands and I offer them a “waterfall” then we dive into the activity of the day; painting, chopping, drawing, bread baking etc. The group finds their seats and engages in the activity. Afterward all share to clear away the activity of the day, helping to wipe the table , bring cutting boards in to wash, “plowing” the snowy flour into a “dump truck” bowl or putting drawing pads away. There is always something purposeful to help with.

Cleaning up in the Kindergarten (Credit: Jen Zahorchak)

Then the creative play begins. The structures, trains, boats, and houses the children build and the families they create, they truly have limitless imaginations for their play. All ages and combinations of children combine to create and play together. This time seems like mayhem, but is truly magical, each child absorbed in the work of being social. The ability of children to collaborate, problem solve, care for each other and the classroom has blossomed and deepened. When three rings of the chimes are heard another amazing thing happens, nearly (for we do not experience or expect perfection) all the chatter, humming, and activity comes to stillness and silence. The children are given helping jobs and then the time of clearing away begins. Industriously and playfully the children miraculously find the homes for all the toys. The dolls are tucked in, silks folded in their basket , the pillows are stacked and even the tiny bits upon the floor are cleared away by the tiny mice! Truly a monumental miracle!

Setting the table (Credit: Jen Zahorchak)

Our day is only at the half way point here. While we were at play children have set the place mats and napkins out, counted out the bowls, and carried heavy warm wooden bowls full of food to the table. We all quietly come to the table, light the candle, sing our blessing and are served by a helper the warm snack. We sit together for close to a half hour, sharing and listening to stories, and eating with our best manners. This takes a lot of self control and focus for all. It is truly a pleasure to dine with the children seeing their great progress with slowing down and finding a breath together during this shared meal. All the children help to clear the table, wipe the table and stack the chairs as the helpers wash the dishes. It is a flurry of activity but again miraculously all comes back to order as we ready for rest.

Rest time happens in the high meadow and down on the white rug. The children each are kissed and find their mat. The time of rest is finally an opportunity for the children to come into their bodies in a different way. When I witness the “letting go” of a child to a quiet and inward place I know they are building the capacity for future academic work. The ability to shut out all the stimulus around you and find a peaceful rest is a capacity rarely fostered in our fast paced world. This time is essential for restoration and focus. It is a beautiful thing to witness as they slip into this time of breathing. It is probably the greatest effort of the day for some , who struggle to tune out all that surrounds them. The growth in this realm has been profound.

Kindergarten Class (Credit: Jen Zahorchak)

Lastly we end with a story before going back outside. We gather on the circle rug and listen to the same story for about two weeks. The children come to know each part and sing the songs that may accompany the story. They begin to deeply listen to the words they have heard repeated, gaining comprehension to the point where they themselves can act out the story. This ability to follow the progression of a story and create pictures supports the ordering of telling their own stories and writing and reading in the future. It is a delight to see their eyes light up with recognition when I repeat the story.

I think it is important to step back and view the fullness of the work and effort your child exerts each day. When the tantrums come at the end of the day or the struggles transpire at home, it may be helpful to have a picture of all they are taking up each day! They are each miraculous in their own individual growth! I am honored to guide and witness these many tiny miracles they are apart of each day!

Blessings,
Robin Gucker
Kindergarten Teacher