Pre-Kindergarten: Dots, Marks, and Making Our Mark

The Prekindergarten students followed the journey of Vashti in Peter H. Reynolds' The Dot and in doing so, found their own unique paths into the world of dots, marks, and meaning.

The Honeybees looked closely at the world around them through a dot hunt, noticing dots in unexpected places and collecting their discoveries for a collaborative table display. They explored how marks can communicate ideas through collaborative mark-making and then used a single dot as a starting point for their own stories. Each child transformed the dot in their own way, creating lions, flowers, and other ideas, and sharing the stories and meanings behind their creations.

The Dragonflies followed Vashti’s journey, guided by one simple question: What happens when a child is encouraged to make their mark? Each day brought a new invitation to explore the dot as a shape, a symbol, a material, a story, and a celebration. Along the way, the children discovered how a single act of encouragement can open up a world of belonging, kindness, and connection—and that every mark, like every child, matters.

Together, the Honeybees and Dragonflies remind us that a single dot, small and simple as it is, can be the beginning of a story, an idea, a connection, or a celebration. Most of all, it can be the beginning of believing in yourself.

Parent Tip of the Week

Last week, we explored becoming a stress detective and noticing what adds to our children’s stress and what helps restore their energy. This week, let’s take the next step: Where might that stress be coming from?

Self-Reg invites us to look across five different areas: biological, emotional, cognitive, social, and prosocial. A poor night’s sleep or a noisy room might be a biological stressor; disappointment an emotional one; learning something new a cognitive one; and navigating friendships a social one. Even worrying about someone else can use energy!Often, it isn’t just one thing. Stressors can pile up across the day, making something small feel much bigger by the time our children get home.

Try this this week: When you notice your child’s energy shifting, see if you can spot where some of the stress might be coming from. There may be more than one answer! If you would like to learn more about the five areas, explore this link for a visual and related resources: https://self-reg.ca/the-five-domains-graphic/

Quick Reminder

Just a friendly reminder that there will be no ECAs next week. We also have a short week ahead, as there will be no school on Friday to begin celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival! This beloved Chinese holiday is a time symbolizing reunion, gratitude, and togetherness. Our holiday break runs from Friday, September 25, through Sunday, October 5, and we hope you enjoy this meaningful season with your loved ones. We look forward to seeing everyone back refreshed and ready to learn!