Ivy Grove of Lexington
Director's Note
Our Ivy Grove grew a little bigger π±
Dear Ivy Grove families,
big news β we have a new friend! welcome new friend. π she jumped right into our rhythms like she's always been here. sharing space, following the flow, music + dancing + books + baking + art + outside time β our days just feel more together this week.
sweetest shift this week? reading stopped being a 'lesson' and started being a choice. kiddo grabs a book, finds a cozy corner, flips pages all by themselves. no one asked them to. they just wanted to. that's the magic β¨
"A classroom becomes a community through many small moments of welcome, trust, and shared joy β and extra giggles π"
Welcome to Ivy Grove, new friend! π
Daphne is HERE and we are obsessed π₯Ή she hopped into routines like a pro, told us what she needed, and made friends so fast. welcoming someone new is big work for little hearts β practicing patience, empathy, 'you can have a turn after me' β and they all crushed it. our village feels warmer already.
Colors, choices & super focused little humans π¨
art table = quiet but make it powerful. choose your colors, grip that chubby marker, fill in your unicorn exactly how YOU want. looks like coloring, is actually hand strength + focus + 'i choose blue!' decision making. plus sharing crayons without a full negotiation summit π win.
Books are everywhere now π
no 'okay it's reading time!' announcements. just books everywhere, cozy corners ready, and kids deciding 'i need a book break.' flipping pages gently (we're working on it lol), staring at pictures, making up their own stories. pressure-free = actually loving it.
Singing, dancing & wiggling together π
same songs on repeat (of course) + indoor freeze dance + outdoor dance party. stepping, balancing, stopping when music stops β harder than it sounds! language, rhythm, coordination, and learning how to move together without bumping. mostly π
Making cupcakes together π§
cupcake lab open for business π§β¨ scooping flour = math, pouring = science, waiting for your turn = the hardest skill of all. plus vocabulary like 'more!' 'sticky!' 'my turn!' and then proud pretend sharing after. the kitchen was BUSY.
Oatmeal cookies: from dough to shapes πͺ
round 2: oatmeal cookies πͺ sticky dough, cookie cutters, so many shapes! press, choose, place so carefully on the tray. tiny hand muscles working hard, both hands cooperating, and the big idea that mush can become YUMMY.
Growing independence at the table π
mealtimes are getting so cozy πβ¨ sitting together, using real utensils (go tiny hands go!), trying bites, saying 'more peas please' and waiting till friends finish. it's not just eating β it's independence, patience, chit chat, belonging.
Water play & open-air friendship π¦
water table = summer headquarters π¦π¦ pouring, spinning, filling, dumping, carrying, watching water go wheeeee. cooling down + sensory reset + science ('it goes fast!') + heavy lifting + nonstop talking + making friends without even trying.