Perky Preschool

  Every member must SHIELD and PROTECT the family. And as the child grows, certain values and beliefs within the family are what they use as an anchor in the process of development and change.    To gain more conceptual understanding of their personal history, they created a family shield also known as a "Coat of Arms" in collaboration with Art. They thought about a symbol... an animal... a word... an activity  to represent their family.  .  Each child worked carefully, planning the colors, words and figures which showed their pride in their work that would represent their own family. Seeing the result, each shield gave us a snapshot of the values and the essence of each individual families Evidently,  it is precious to these young learners to be the voice at school about their families.  Their eyes sparkled as they hold the beautiful,colorful piece of family shield.  They also started working on the Family Tree that will show  the relat...

Our Family Tree What do we take-away in knowing the generations of our family?  This week, the preschoolers looked into finding out more information about their family.  Not just knowing the names, but learning things that could tell more about who they are or who they someday might become. They understood that just like the branches of a tree, they are connected to their uncles, aunts, cousins, and grandparents.  " We came from the same tree." This sparked the curiosity as they communicated and asked each other questions. They found connections - similarities on having a small or big family, interests, jobs, or hobbies.      They made a significant discovery that everyone was once a child that grows up to become an adult, which someday will (or may become) parents too.  They saw that even if people come from different places, they could meet and stay in one place together.    Some names were given after the grandparents or other relatives....

Every families are different and unique  and  that's what makes all families special.  Coat of Arms An interesting activity to express how a child can see or identify their own family.  In each quarter, each child thought of a symbol to represent their family, a word to describe their values, the animal they can relate their family to, and an experience they enjoy together as a family. Xiao Coat Of Arms Our symbol, dining table Our word, KIND Our animal, sheep We love to travel - Yanchen - Hefti Coat Of Arms Our symbols, heart and books Our word, HELPING Our animal, cheetah We love playing blocks - Joe- Nakamura Coat Of Arms Our symbol, family Our word, HEALTH Our animal, lion We love playing soccer - Jinnosuke - Takeame Coat Of Arms Our symbol, family picture Our word, I LOVE MY FAMILY Our animal, owl We love looking for a four leaf clover - Eimi -  Yaldiz Coat Of Arms Our symbol, heart Our word, LOVE Our animal, fox We love to travel - Eda - Sawada Coat Of Arm...

"Let us save in our children's MEMORY BANK, treasures that cannot be taken away from them.  Be in their past, present and future" - Ms. Faye - Not all of us here are from Japan, or from Kobe. Some of us are from different countries, but we are all here in this classroom. We are right here.  Why do people travel or move to different places? Their responses were astounding! "Our parents want to take us to an adventure" "Because of war. Some wants to be alive."  "To be with their family." "Because they want be with the one they love and get married." "To work." "To study."  They created a space where we can realize that indeed, there is a purpose why people are at the same place at the right time. It gives us opportunity to look at change in different perspectives.  During this inquiry, the word 'LINK' came out.  This extended the conversation to why we are all connected to the past, when mommy was pregnant,...