What’s new at Makom Community? We have doubled the size of our space, the number of bean bag chairs, and the glitter supply. The erev kiddos (grades 3-5) are enjoying their own space for snacktime learning and shulchanot avodah (project centers) up on the third floor. The boker kids (grades pre-K-2) are settling in downstairs. Towards the end of our day, we all come together for tefila, just like we did last year.
We eased into snacktime learning this week by discussing how we respond to and prepare for new things. We also unpacked how we take care of each other during new experiences.
Here are some ways your self-aware kiddos say they feel about new experiences:
- Nervous
- Excited
- Curious
- Brave
- Proud
One of our boker learners added, “When I do something new that seems a little scary, I feel nervous, and also curious. Because you want to know what it is, and if you were just super scared then you won’t know what this brand new thing that you never saw is, like a brand new animal that no one’s ever seen before!”
How can we take care of each other at Makom Community?
- Everyone can ask about anything
- Everyone gets to be who they are
- We make sure to call people by the name they want to be called
- Help everyone be able to trust each other by being nice and helpful
- Thinking before we act
- Lots of marshmallow fluff and Nutella!
At one of their shulchanot avodah, the boker students role-played scenarios where they helped out kids with solving problems. They practiced how they would have conversations with kids who needed friends to play with, couldn’t find places to sit at lunch, or really missed their parents. Meanwhile upstairs, the erev kids brainstormed ways they can help support all of our new boker friends. Boker-erev buddies may be coming soon!
We are so grateful to be starting out this school year on a note of such love and support! Can’t wait to experience all the growth and learning of the months ahead.