Wow, it’s been a busy week at the Children’s School!  As we returned to a “normal” schedule after our parent-teacher conferences and Thanksgiving Break, we had a full week of family events at the Scholastic Book Fair coordinated by parents Jennifer Honig and Stefani Pashman and staffed by a wide variety of parent volunteers.  The Extended Morning friends hosted two open house events for their parents, where they shared favorite songs and served two varieties of homemade vegetable soup and tasty biscuits.  The Kindergarten friends went on a field trip to the Carnegie Museum and participated in a special dance class taught by the Dancers’ Symposium on campus.  Our student researchers are finishing their data collection, and our student teachers are preparing their final lessons and reflections.  The hustle and bustle is energizing!

But if we’re honest, it is also addictive.  Often times, we thrive on the buzz of the activities and so schedule more.  I have to admit that I was startled and somewhat dismayed to see how blank the school’s December calendar looks.  I actually checked my personal calendar to be sure nothing important had been omitted.  Upon reflection, however, I realized that the calendar does not include any of the daily routines that foster learning for everyone involved in our programs.  New units of study are beginning (Fairy Tales and Nursery Rhymes in the Preschool and Fabric in the Kindergarten), undergraduates are laboring over final projects, presentations and exam preparation, and professors are balancing grading with spring course preparations.  Staff members are working diligently on documenting our practices and policies so that the NAEYC representatives can effectively assess our program quality.  Truth be told, we’re grateful for this month’s slower pace so that we can concentrate on being productive in all these aspects of our work.  Then, we’ll all take a much-needed break for refreshment and renewal in preparation for the next semester.

With the holidays and winter break quickly approaching, consider making intentional choices about how many activities to schedule so that their energizing effects remain positive rather than causing exhaustion.  Following normal routines can be comforting, especially for young children, and times with a slower pace are quite welcome.  We wish you joy as you relish the sights, sounds, and smells of the season and peace as you offer the gift of your time to family and friends.

The Children's School, MMC 17, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

(412)268-2199 email: labsch@andrew.cmu.edu
Copyright 1999 Carnegie Mellon University