Falling into Fun: A Look Back at Our Fall at TCCP!
It all begins with an idea.
What a wonderful and busy start to the school year we've had at Twin Cities Community Preschool (TCCP)! As the leaves turned and the weather cooled, our classrooms and outdoor spaces were brimming with curiosity, connection, and shared experiences. Our learning community is truly taking shape, founded on values like collaboration, reciprocal play, and discovery.
Community & Connection
We've seen so many beautiful moments of connection among our children and parent-teachers alike. Themes of community, helping each other, gratitude, respect, and kindness have been central to our curriculum as we embrace the season.
Group Identity: To foster a sense of belonging, the children chose their group names: Owls, Skunks, and Mountain Lions. We've started "adopting" these animals, connecting with wildlife rescue programs, and engaging in storytelling and observation experiences inspired by them.
Growing Friendships: The children have been steadily building friendships, learning about boundaries, and practicing how to care for themselves and one another. One observation noted a child joining a peer who was alone on a bike, a small moment demonstrating developing empathy and social awareness.
Buddy Visits: We had our first-ever buddy visits with Ms. Suttor's 2nd-grade class at Neil Cummins Elementary. The preschoolers did a wonderful job walking over and listening as the older students read stories.
Giving Back: We are participating in our annual Turkey Walk with Buddies to collect canned goods for the giant turkey at Town Center on December 16th, a meaningful tradition of kindness and giving.
Curriculum Corner: Embracing Autumnal Wonder
Our curriculum has been guided by the rhythms and wonders of the changing season, exploring transformation through changes in color, scent, texture, and rhythm.
Observing Change: Children welcomed October with the Autumnal Equinox circle, observing leaves falling, differences in light, and colder mornings. Noticing these environmental changes helps them develop observation skills, language, and an understanding of the 'why' behind what happens around them.
Sensory-Rich Exploration: We engaged in rich sensory explorations that invited discovery and creativity, like painting pinecones, experimenting with potions, and hammering into pumpkins. The children even explored colorful, "spooky" spaghetti noodles in our new tough trays for rich sensory play.
Garden and Food Projects: We began harvesting from our garden, gathering lettuce, kale, and persimmons, which nurtures curiosity and a connection to the natural world. The children were thrilled to bake zucchini bread with parent-teachers and peeled apples for applesauce and muffins.
Farmers Market Fun: Our Farmers Market is officially open on the front porch, offering rich opportunities for children to explore roles, collaborate, and practice social skills.
Parent Education Focus: The Power of Our Language
This month's parent education focused on how intentional language deepens our relationships with children. One key shift is moving from general praise like "Good job!" to descriptive language. For example, saying "You worked hard on that" or "You kept going even when it felt tricky" helps children build stronger internal drive and self-confidence by tuning into their own efforts.