My commitments are that I will allow the children to play and learn in whatever way they feel fits best, let them take risks, and let them answer their own questions instead of me just giving them the facts. I will also bring relationships with nature and community into my work with children.
My question: What does well-being and belonging look like in the Willows program?
In the Willows program I have witnessed so much belonging, the two pictures on the right were recently put up to encourage the children to point out where they’re from or to show who is a part of their families. Throughout the time that these two pieces have been up, I have had some very engaging conversations with the children.For example, I was having a conversation with a child and they were pointing out where they were from and then we walked across the room to their picture of their family which they happened to take in their home country, they were able to show me the photo and tell me all about their old home. The sense of belonging in the Willows program is very important as all children should feel as though they have a safe space to interact and play in. Everyday the Willows go on a walk/hike with all of the children, no one is left behind, I find this helps with a sense of belonging as well because from what I’ve observed and heard about other programs is they often spit the larger groups, usually the younger children. When all of the willows go on the outings, it allows each child to have the same chances as one another and for the younger ones to learn from the older children.
