Families are a vital role to the classroom environment.  Children need to know that their families are a part of their classroom community.  When they are connected to the atmosphere of the classroom it provides comfort and eases feelings during long hours of separation.

Lets not forget that our parents also have a significant transition to make as they entrust their precious cargo into our classroom settings.  Photos will allow our parents to be more relaxed and connected as they enter the classroom, which will nurture a sense of belonging.  

You can create a homelike atmosphere by having families bring in framed family photos.  You can make a family tree or display them on a ledge shelf.  If you are short on space hang family photos inside children's cubbies or create a family album for the book center.

Just remember that the goal is to keep children connected to their families.

Where you ever given the opportunity when you were little to use real adult tools?  I was lucky enough to have a family that was willing to share their passions and skills with me at a young age and they let me play, explore and use all of those wonderful shine new adults tools!  It was like a fairy godmother letting me use her magic wand.

So with that being said,  

I want to provide my little ones with those same kind of memories.  That means I can't be afraid to let them use real meaningful adults tools and lets not forget that little bit of fairy dust of trust.  So I broke out the glue guns and let them use them.

Here is what I learned when I trusted and showed them how to use and care for the tool, they lived up to the responsibility of using it.  They were more focused and intentional about their work.  Planning and testing each piece before applying the glue. This experience produced meaningful and beautiful child created art.   

Our little ones had so much fun creating their craft project that we thought it would be fun to make a class book about what they would like to be when they grew up. 

 They loved hearing the book at group reading time and in the book nook to friends.

We had the children create building that represented places that they go to in our community.

Love this one because our Target and Mall are right across the street from one another.

Bringing their writing skills to the construction zone.  

Children named the building that they were creating in the block area.