We are all in this together! KDH explores the Power of Unity

Inclusiveness, diversity, and equality are on our minds as Martin Luther King Day approaches. Kitah Daled Hay started exploring these important concepts by looking at our IJP school community. Who is in this community and how do they help us?  “Mr. Kevin  fixes everything” “he works hard” “he works hard to build” “he is the hardest worker”  "we love Mr. Kevin" Who else helps us at IJP? “Donna works at the front desk” “she reads books to us” “she helps the school” “Morah Ezie plays with us” “she reads books” “she is nice to us”  Once we started thinking about our school community, the children couldn’t stop. “What about Morah Elie?” “she helps us” “and Morah Dena” “they take care of the school” “they are really well at their job” “they are in charge” “ I am going to give them a medal a trophy for being super good at their job” 

The class recently received a thank you note from the children in need at Amy’s Holiday Party whom we baked for at Hanukkah time. They enjoyed the cookie bars we baked and encouraged us to continue to do kindness for others. Kitah Daled Hay wondered what act of kindness we could do for these special people in our IJP community. “bake cookies” “make bracelets and necklaces” “make thank you cards”

The children set out making thank you cards using materials that are special to them: markers, stickers and decorative tape. They carefully selected the stickers. “Hearts for love” “Hanukkah stickers” “Jewish stickers” “number 5 because I am 5” “rainbow” “pink dots ... ok no more pink dots we have a lot” “fruits ... fruits and vegetables keep you healthy” “butterflies” “lots of Magen Davids”  “numbers” "music notes she helps us with music" After one card was complete, the children immediately asked who can we make a card for next? As they created more cards, they created new techniques for decorating. “We are putting the sticker down, tracing the sticker, and taking the sticker off and putting it back when we are done” tracing the stickers evolved into drawing their own hearts, Magen Davids, and more.  As the children made these cards to thank our community members for helping us, they united stronger as a community themselves. While creating, the air filled with “can I have a turn with the blue marker? ... yes I’m almost done ... here” “no more pink dots we have a lot ... ok I am getting a green dot ... ok” “can I use the purple?” The children were communicating effectively, listening and helping each other as they were creating cards thanking people for doing that with them.

When the children delivered their first card to Mr. Kevin, we paused and noticed how he felt. They observed his face and body and felt how their card made him feel. Seeing this made the children eager to deliver more. They brought the cards all around IJP in case they saw the recipients. Their pride in making our IJP community feel good was palpable in the care they took of their cards and the expressions on their faces. Each time they saw a recipient, the children naturally united as a group and rushed over to get the cards to deliver.  As the children got ready to deliver the cards they said “everyone needs to be holding on.” and chanted "we have a delivery" "we have a special delivery" with big smiles from ear to ear. After delivering the cards, the children eagerly explained their contributions to the card and enthusiastically expressed their gratitude and why they made the cards. Adults and children lit up as they connected.

Everyone needs to hold on. We have a delivery!

Each time the children finish a card they immediately want to know “can we make another one?” and we say “yes who should we make a card for now? “ Followed by “why -how do they help us?” The children always answer these questions quickly demonstrating their understanding of everyone's unique role in our community in relationship to them. The children's list continues to grow ... “Morah Adina she helps us with music, sings songs, teaches us music” We can deliver it today when we have music." “Morah Jessica she makes art with us.” “Morah Adi she told us about her trip to South Africa” “Morah Cree she plays with us in aftercare” Each time the children deliver a card, we pause, observe the recipient's body language and pay attention to how the card made the recipient feel. Noticing the smiles and appreciation makes KDH smile too. Our KDH kindness card project will continue to grow as the children continue to identify people in the IJP community who they would like to thank for helping them.  

Thank you to everyone in the IJP community for everything you do: helping us, keeping us safe, and teaching us how to unite and work together. ❤️ Kitah Daled Hay