Education and Being

The aroma of freshly baking bread every Thursday or sweet onions sautéing on Stone Soup Day, the sound of children singing as they walk through the woods as leaves crunch under their feet, and the feeling of warmth as we gather together around a fire. Such warmth radiates from the flames, but also from the sense that we are here together, learning, exploring, challenged by new experiences, and supported by friends. The ritual of sitting side by side, huddled around the fire, is widespread through our shared humanity. As we come to the end of our fall term in this second year of Roots of Life, we have been honored with rich, meaningful experiences and a community of children and families that make it all possible! Now, we are starting to see how our own culture and traditions are naturally emerging. ‘Who we are’ and ‘what we are doing’ is a result of us all being together, rather than following a preconceived plan. As such traditions unfold and shape who we are, it feels just as important to balance these ways with adaptability and openness. We create a space where there is both familiarity and comfort, as well as a reverence for the unknown.

After last year, we noticed how the children were always asking us, along with their parents, “Is it bread day today… when will it be bread day?” What began as a term-long project, has naturally evolved into a tradition. Every Thursday, we make bread. It established continuity from our variable snack plans and the children knew what to expect. They became highly capable of making bread almost completely on their own. They could read the recipe, add all the ingredients, manage taking turns, tally how many children wanted cinnamon bread or plain, knead the dough, cut, shape, shake the cream into butter, and clean up. Typically, everyone will offer a helping hand with some part of the process… and they all most certainly help with the eating!

This term we expanded our cooking explorations to utilize what we had grown in our garden. To our surprise we had a wonderful crop of volunteer butternut squash pop up in our backyard. With about 10-12 squashes, we had a mission to use what Earth had provided us with to explore some new recipes. Every Monday we tried a different butternut squash recipe. We had mashed butternut, butternut soup, butternut with cinnamon and sugar, butternut mac and cheese, butternut muffins, butternut brownies, and butternut pancakes. After several weeks of butternut explorations, the children undoubtably know what a butternut squash is and some of the ways it can be cooked. Our butternut bar graph revealed which recipes were their favorites, and which were less enjoyable. Now, we are down to our very last butternut… I wonder what we’ll decide to do with it?

The butternut on Mondays was new this term, whereas bread and several other traditions continued from last year. Our circle time, along with some songs such as “Come Gather” and “Good Morning Dear Earth”, are examples of familiar rituals. Last year, we went on a few adventures to Tanner Park, which is walking distance from our program’s location. This year, we seem to have created another tradition of going to Tanner every Thursday after eating bread. Earlier in the term, we worked together to make a walking path through the woods that leads us right to Tanner Lake. As the seasons change, our activities at Tanner change too. Now, we may take a craft to work on, walk and explore, or find “sit spots” to listen and observe. The children, even the youngest ones, are knowledgeable about how to get to Tanner, which path they need to walk, or how they can follow the ravine down-and-back. Children who began the year with a fear of walking through the woods, now choose to walk on the more challenging path, navigating obstacles such as briars and vines. It is incredible to watch their development in these experiences and witness how the children support each other with compassion and words of encouragement.

In recent weeks, our Thursday trips to Tanner have started to feel a little dull. We listened as a few children started to express that they didn’t want to go. This set up an opportunity for us to discuss what they would like to do and how we could make our journey to the lake more appealing. We gave the children the chance to express themselves and what ideas they had for making it more enjoyable. It was an opportunity for our tradition to be challenged and questioned. Do we still want to go? What could we do differently? In our reflection, some suggested bringing crafts and stories to read. Others felt excited when they had the chance to walk a new path. That ability to “change the routine” feels hard at first. I’m sure that we have all experienced this resistance to change at some time or another. However, when we are open to something new, we are often surprised by how wonderful (or even better) that new experience may be. It creates a refreshing sense of wonder and curiosity.

The final reflection on a newly emerging tradition that I would like to reflect on is that of Thanksgiving. I still remember last year when one parent asked me casually, “So are we doing anything at ROL for Thanksgiving?” After some thought and discussion with the children, we decided to have a gathering on Thanksgiving morning and we invited families and friends to join us for a potluck and a presentation of The Little Red Hen Play. This year, we again put on a play, Stone Soup, and invited the families to join us watch the play, share food, and celebrate. To some it may sound crazy that we “Have school on Thanksgiving,” but thus far it has worked out beautifully and become a heart-warming tradition.

Our children showcased their creativity by not only creating the set and costumes, but also by infusing their own ideas into the script. The addition of a villager offering her harmonica when the old traveler suggested, “If we only had music…” exemplifies the imaginative spirit of our holistic approach. The play’s central message of community and the power of collective efforts resonated deeply, leaving a lasting impact on all who witnessed it. “It’s not the stone that’s magic… it’s all of us working together!” There were many incredible moments that came to pass on this special Thursday in November, but to hear all our students and their families singing our stone soup song together… it was indeed magical!

Offer what you can, A morsel or two

It will go far, in making our stew.

We come together, herbs in hand,

To make Stone Soup for all in the land.

As we revel in the beauty of these traditions, it is essential to acknowledge that our program wouldn’t be possible without the incredible children and their families who contribute to the vibrant tapestry of our community. It is through their dedication, creativity, and shared values that our program continues to thrive and evolve. As we witness the emergence of rituals and new traditions, we honor their value in shaping the educational journey of our children, fostering a love for learning that extends far beyond the classroom. As educators and dedicated learners, we find opportunities to reflect and examine our own ways of being so as not to get stuck in routine for the sake of ease and comfort. May we always be open to new experiences, challenges, and what arises naturally. Together, we celebrate the beauty of community, connection, and the boundless possibilities that arise when we come together with a shared vision and heartfelt dedication to the holistic well-being of all.