As you have probably heard, the children are thoroughly enjoying the middle school interns who are helping us during their three week long “Mini-term,” a time during which their regular schedule changes slightly and they are able to explore options for part of their day that are outside the regular curriculum (rather like electives). The students who are working in The Nest have chosen to be with us through an application procedure in the Middle School. The students have been working with the Nest children in various capacities.
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| TAG! |
In the morning at park time, Sam can often be found playing games of tag and racing around which is a favorite pastime for many active preschoolers!
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| The chase is on! |
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| Watching Sam boldy jump! |
Delaney has been working with the children who are interested in dramatic play at the park. She has been helping negotiate roles and navigate the stories they tell. They have primarily been telling various versions of fairy tales, especially since they know that Delaney was one of the stars of the school production of “Into the Woods.”
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| Delaney works with a group of children deciding who will play which part in a story. |
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| Livy tosses the ball. |
Livy is known as being the ball expert outside and is often surrounded by many fans who want to play catch. She plays with all children outside and works primarily with the Rocks Class and the Rivers Class indoors.
These students then come back in to the classrooms where they enjoy sharing snacks and reading to the children. We see the children clamoring to save a seat at the snack tables for their older friends!
During activity time, a new group of interns joins us. Aiden, Stefanie and Esther work with small groups of children at activities such as painting, reading, making geometric shapes and designs at geo-boards, and helping to tell the stories at the worship basket and in drama.
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| Stefanie helps a child at painting. |
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| Esther guides children in clay. |
The relationships between the preschool students and Middle School students benefit both the older and the younger children. Younger children love any visitors to our classrooms and there is something uniquely special about older students in the eyes of 4- and 5-year-olds. We see faces light up when children are able to be near our interns; they feel very special and appreciate the attention.
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| Aiden reads with students. |
For the Middle School students, working with young children provides them with opportunities to be responsible, feel confidence (at a time when egos can be fragile), and take pride in being helpful. They also model and guide children with behaviors such as taking turns, listening well, and working to compete a task. We find that they really live up to the responsibility of taking care of others. Older children are motivated to do their best when they have a child depending on them.
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| Ester working with children at the worship basket. |
The younger children bond with the older students and friendships flourish. When the preschoolers see the Middle Schooler students in the park or elsewhere, they are thrilled to be able to say hello. This experience helps to build community across grades in our school.
The Nest students have commented that they love working and playing with the interns. It is a joyful, fulfilling time!
