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As we head into the start of the new term it is a very different experience to the way in which we usually get the cogs turning. Normally after the Easter holidays I heave two sighs: one as an exhale to acknowledge the coming to an end of a break which has allowed for a time of relaxation, and the second as one of braced relief that normality will resume and daily life will go back to a familiar rhythm. How far from that point we are now as we enter into a virtual next term. One month ago life changed beyond recognition. We entered a brave new world where we have mostly all been isolating; the antithesis of our needs as social beings. To say it has been hard has its misrepresentations as it has pulled us together which has highlighted the positive. There been a shifting of creativity into delivering circle online which has been imaginative, although not without its challenges! We have continued to meet as a nursery community on a daily basis interacting as we talk through a topic; the last few weeks we have covered the meteorite hitting the earth, changing the climate and wiping out the dinosaurs. We then went onto consider the survival of mammals and the evolution of man from apes. Our children have all named the first human as ‘homohabilus’ and this week we have been learning about life in the Stone Age. It has been wholesome and delightful to see that despite the stifled dimensions of interacting online, the children are enjoying and they are learning. We have also joined our children online to do music sessions, which have been very good fun although we have been waking our teenage children and neighbours in the process! The children made requests for their favourite songs and we have immediately responded. However it has equally been a struggle. We started off with most of the nursery children joining us online but quite a few are, understandably, finding it upsetting to reconcile the disconnect between seeing us and all their friends on the screen and not being able to see us in person. We have felt the same. After the sessions Tim and I have breathed out trying to be brave and strong but with tears in our eyes. There is a sense of loss. We are missing all the people we spend our daily lives with: the children, the parents and our wonderful colleagues who share our day to day routines. So as we enter into a new term with more uncertainty, the peculiar circumstances we are in are felt very strongly. But a new normality of online circles and posts on the newly created group page will continue. It has been wonderful to see parents posting as well with their ideas and news. This leads to the final message of this blog today: let’s look to the light at the end of the tunnel. There will be days which are harder than others but we will see it through and be back together again soon. And when that day comes it will be uplifting with tears of joy! I for one can’t wait! Meanwhile we will see everyone for online circle on Monday morning! It is the best way to start the day! |
Albany Montessori Blog
Latest news from Albany Montessori School. The original Montessori nursery in St Albans. Archives
October 2023
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