Spring Break Time Again

Where I am at almost all of the school are having spring break.  Some are having extend breaks because of this virus thing.  I'm writing today to find bright spots in this time when we are all hoping to stay well.
One year I had an aunt of a student ask what she could do to help in my classroom.  She really wanted to help, but she wasn't comfortable working with my preschoolers.  She asked if she could help with the laundry or some type of cleaning.  So I thought about how helpful it would be if she could come early on Tuesdays and Thursdays, before pick up, and wash the Legos, scissors, and disinfect puzzles, tables, and chairs.  That ideas was just perfect for her and what a gift it was to my assistant and to me.  That year those disinfected chairs, puzzles, clean Legos and such, really kept us all well.  Being a preschool classroom, we did have a cleaning routine, but this auntie helped us rotate toys more often and gave us time on the days she was there to have some connecting after class, because she had done it for us when we were all on the playground. It made such a difference that I asked for a volunteer to do it each year from then on until I left my classroom teaching position.
What are you doing in your classroom to include families?  What are you doing to keep germs at bay?  Can you put the two together and come out with a win for all?
Over long weekends, extended spring breaks, or times like this can you find away to involve your families in ways to help their child and feel more connected to your classroom?  How about a quick email to your families offering list of things to do at home?  A play dough recipe or two to try?  Making blocks out of empty food boxes, playing simple games, reading books in new voices, counting how many birds are in the yard?  So many adults remember school worksheets and are unaware of the easy to make and do activities that cost little or nothing to do and have such great value to a young child and their developing brain.
Now teachers and parents think about what you can do to feed your spirits while you might have a bit more time at home than planned.  For instance, leave an idea or two about things you do to boost and fill your spirit in the comment section of this blog.
I was made aware of a chance to be a guest blogger and it is a wonderful site.  I suggest you check out their Facebook page and blog.  Transforming Early Childhood Education.  Here is the link to their blog. https://transformingece.com/blog/2020/3/12/more-music-please
My blog post was their post today.  I am honored.

Wishing you well,
Teacher Debbie