Morning Connection Time

Before we can learn and grow, we need to feel safe and loved. This is why, each morning, we begin our day with "Connection Time"! This invaluable time helps us ease into a busy day and prepare us for our best learning!

When we gather, we sit in a circle on the rug so we can see each other.

Have a peek at some highlights from our morning Connection Time meetings:

1. Prayer
God is at the center of all we do and all we are, and we always begin in prayer. "Father in Heaven, I give You today, all that I think, and do, and say. Amen". Look at us pray with actions!

2. Say Hello!
We have learned the importance of eye contact when greeting our classmates. While we have practiced our eye contact while giving a firm handshake, we also say hello in silly ways, too, like the stinky shoe greeting and goofy dances!

3. News
This time allows the students an opportunity to share what's on their minds, thereby helping us focus on learning later in the day. News can be both good or bad, and everyone is given an opportunity to share if they wish. So far we have heard about skating lessons, birthdays, farm animals, new pets, and more!

4. Social Scenario Problem Solving
To help the children develop age-appropriate critical thinking skills, they are presented with a social skills problem to solve. In partners, they brainstorm possible ways to solve the problem and then we come together as a large group to share and discuss. 

We talk about how some problems are "mouse-sized problems" (small) or "elephant-sized problems" (big), and small problems don't require an elephant-sized reaction. 

Some of the problems we have tackled include:

• not being able to find your indoor shoe after recess
• a classmate shoves ahead of you in the line
• you notice a friend crying at their desk but don't know why
• someone pushes you at recess

It is important for the students to see that there is no one way to solve a problem and that they do not always need an adult's help. 

5. Story
We close Connection Time with a story. Each book is carefully chosen and has an important lesson.

Here are some stories we have already enjoyed:

While Connection Time seems packed, it rolls along rather quickly and sets a positive tone for our day! This is time very well-spent and enjoyed. Connection time truly is about building relationships and seeing the light in all of us!