Stride StrongStart

Meanwhile, back at Stride….

The Kindergarten  classes have been busy!  We’ve been working on adding new, exciting elements to the Kindergarten outdoor play area.  Here are some photos of what you  can look forward to when we return in the fall!

A garden to gather in.  We’ve been adding plants to support the pollinators; bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.  Find a quiet moment to relax, sit, and enjoy this space together.  There is always something new to discover in the garden.

We have also installed a magnetic wall.  Here, we play with water, balls, ramps, and anything thing else that sticks!

Welcome to the mud kitchen! Mix, pour, stir, and serve!  You never know what creative offerings will be on the menu when child chefs are in this kitchen!

As the world reopens this summer and we look forward to returning to StrongStart in the fall, we invite you to come by the garden and say hello to the many flowering plants and bugs.  We’re looking forward to being together again one day soon!

Hych’ka!

Ms. Jenny

Our play at the Park has been about making new discoveries.  Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, and Musqueam lands are vast and we are honoured to have the freedom to explore and learn together with them!

Sometimes, we discover interesting forest folk and say a gentle “hello”.

We find new ways to play together with trees,

Sunshine and shadows,

And even the mud (otherwise known as clay).

We’ve discovered rainbows we can play with,

and water hiding in the city infrastructure.

Best of all, we have re-discovered each other and look forward to learning more together in the days to come!

Hych’ka!

Jenny

Once again, find ourselves in the midst of giant trees and forest  beings and acknowledge where we are.  Musqueam, Tleil-Waututh, and Squamish peoples have gathered here since time immemorial and and continue to do so today.  What about the animals of this place?  What animals continue to gather?  Which animals have moved away from the cars and buildings of the city?  Where did they stay when they lived here?  Where do the animals we see and hear stay now?

Sometimes, we spend time under the trees to look closely and think about these things.

There are lots of ways to play with nature.  Did you know, mud makes fabulous, biodegradable paint?!

Add a little moss to make to see if that will change the colour.

It can be a different experience painting with paint that has smells and textures because it is made with things that are alive.

We even find that nature has made its own “stripes” and “dots”.  How did the rock come to have these markings, we wonder?  “It’s nothing,” a boy comments.

Time spent wondering is time well spent! You never know what you’ll discover next!

Hych’ka!

Ms. Jenny

StrongStart in the Park has been an adventure!  We’ve made all sorts of discoveries that I hope will inspire you and your child for your next outdoor play!

First, a “hello” to the forest.  Taking a moment to recognize where we are, the ground under our feet, the trees, plants and animals.  The trees are so big and tall, they must be very old.  We wonder if these very trees knew the land and people before settlers, like so many of us, came.  We acknowledge that this has been the home of the Musqeam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Squamish Nations for generations and generations and it is an honor for us to gather together on their lands.

After songs and stories under the trees, we wander over together to the clearing.

Usually there is water in the stream, so in we go, boots and all!

It’s a great place to float your boat!

Or dive into a quiet pool…

Each day, it seems, we discover a new neighbour to say hello to…

a quiet toadstool who grew so tall so quickly!

And some moles under our feet digging along with us,

The moss on the maple trees is so warm and soft on a cold day,

It’s been fun, warming our hearts together!

Up next: mud painting!

Hych’ka,

Ms. Jenny