Honk Jr. With the Kinders

Today I worked with the kinders in the Early Learning Community at Pacific University. We took the children to the local theater to watch a for-children-by-children production called Honk Jr. The play was based on the premises of The Ugly Duckling and teaching children that being different is not only okay, but something to celebrate and feel good about. The play was adorable and everyone seemed to enjoy it. The highlight of the day was when the villain in the play (the hungry cat) kidnapped the ugly duckling, and when his family was searching for him, one of the kinders (a particular character by the name of Evan) shouted out "It was the cat! The cat took him! IT WAS THE CAT!" He had the whole theater giggling. It was adorable because of his sincerity and tone of genuine concern in his voice. Overall, it was a very positive experience for the children. It is wonderful that they got the chance to experience the creativity and wonder that accompanies a live production.
A little about The Early Learning Community. It is an ideal school in my opinion with all of the latest and greatest resources made available to the staff and students. The ELC provides a learning environment organized around the principles of inclusion, active experiential learning and best pedagogical practice. They believe that children learn best in a place where they feel good about themselves, where they are allowed to explore their world, and where the learning materials match their interests and needs. That is why a lot of time is spent in the creative playroom and atelier. The learning environment at the ELC is supported by teachers who recognize developmental norms, respect individual differences, and inspire a sense of wonder and a desire to learn. It is an ideal situation for children as it is their goal to foster collaboration between students, teachers, and families as a means of supporting all aspects of children's development. I hope to get the chance to teach in a school environment such as this one. I truly feel it is a step in the right direction as far as improving educational practices and increasing learning end enjoyment of school for the children.