On Thursday, not one child, but multiple children, were drawn to the artwork in the sink. This became such a special, memorable moment of the day, that it inspired a couple of Instagram posts with more reflecting by my teaching partner, Paula, and I than I think either one of us expected.
We are about to head into another week with some high stress possibilities: uncertainty around rising COVID numbers in Ontario and the lead up to April Break. I like to find the “positive” in things, but sometimes doing so is a challenge. I wonder if this week, we all need to look out for those art in the sink moments: the learning, reflecting, and/or conversing that can happen around a small, everyday experience. Will finding these moments bring along some unexpected joy? What are your “art in the sink” moments? Listen to how excited these children sound over a paint mess: the most beautiful mess there is. I think we all require even a sprinkle of this happiness right now. What about you?
Aviva
Art in the sink. The utter joy that creating an explosion of colour in the baby hat I’m knitting. The smell of the maple steam rising on my deck. The mother mourning nesting in the hanging basket on the same deck. Time to make a tea latte (sweetened with maple). Yes, this is what will get me through. Trying to help my students notice, too. I think they’re at the age when it’s hardest. We probably need a “small joy” photo walk next week.
Thanks Lisa for sharing your many small joys! The tea latte with maple sounds delicious. Your idea of a “small joy” photo walk is fantastic. I wonder if this will help your students recognize and reflect on the small joys in their lives.
Aviva
I wrote a comment earlier that seems to have been eaten by the Internet gremlins. They are running amok these days!
Both you and Lisa have me thinking about the importance of planning some joy into the schedule for next week. I kept thinking about how I need to get some stuff done! Now I’m thinking about how we are going to be having some really nice weather so I need to plan some outdoor walks and some art time. Take it easy…that’s what I am going to keep telling myself. It’s only four days and then a long break. No need to over do it when we could maintain the joy and relief I have felt after this long weekend. I’ve felt so dysregulated recently and I’m not handling it well. Some searches for joy will help!
Thanks for your comment, Lisa! Sorry to hear that the first one was eaten up by the Internet gremlins.
I think that you’re onto something here. When you mentioned how dysregulated you have felt recently, it made me think about a conversation that Paula and I had after school on Thursday. With all of the uncertainty around what might be happening and/or not happening after the Break, if there will be a Break, and then even the move of the Break to April, I think there’s been a lot of dysregulation recently, for both kids and adults. Maybe we also kind of feed off of each other in this regard. Initially, Paula and I were thinking of a possible project for this week, but after observing the play in class on Thursday and even thinking about how many kids were drawn to sensory art experiences, we’re wondering if this is what the kids might need for next week. It’s joyful, but it’s also calming for many of our kids. Your comments around the outdoors and art make me wonder if the same holds true around joy and calm for your students. I hope that a search for joy helps both you and your class. I’d love to hear more about what you decide on doing.
Aviva