*Announcement: While at lunch today several friends brought up the idea of having pajama day (“Why can’t we all come to school in pajamas?!”) So, on Wednesday, November 25th (the day before our Thanksgiving Break) we will have Pajama Day! If friends would like, they can come to school in their soft and cozy PJs. Woohoo!

Lately, many of our friends have shown an interest in wrestling, tumbling and other types of big body play. This type of physical play is normal, age-appropriate and different from fighting. In appropriate big body play children’s faces are relaxed and they are usually smiling/laughing, as this type of play is very enjoyable for children.

Big body play is important for children’s development in many ways, teaching children:

• Physical skills—how their bodies move and how to control those movements
• Language skills—communicating through signals and non-verbal communication
• Social skills—turn taking, negotiating, making and following rules

Here at WF we have specifically designed the environment to provide a safe setting for children to play vigorously with their bodies. When children engage in big body play they know that they must check to make sure the area is safe and that a teacher is there to supervise. With a teacher there to help children learn to recognize non-verbal and verbal cues from each other, big body play is a safe and developmentally appropriate practice!

For more information about this important style of play, there are several excellent articles on the subject on the bookshelf by the front door! Let us know if you have any questions.

Enjoy the sunshine! –Jessica

Wee Sprouts: Pea pods. Breakfast: Kashi’s Blueberry Clusters and oranges. Lunch: Whole wheat flatbread with cheddar cheese, cucumbers/pea pods and oranges. Snack: Homemade popcorn with butter and block cheddar cheese.

Link to the photo album: WF 11/10/2015