Collaboration: The Magic That Connects Us All

Have you ever noticed how a single spark can light up an entire room? That’s what happens when children come together to collaborate. Like tiny puzzle pieces, they fit and flow, creating something greater than the sum of their individual selves.

In the world of early childhood, collaboration is not just about sharing art supplies,. It’s about weaving hearts and minds into a vibrant tapestry of learning. When little ones work together—they’re building connections that grow their brains and their empathy.

Every time a child collaborates, they nurture their understanding of others, their emotional awareness, and their ability to solve problems with kindness. It’s a bit like magic—each shared smile, each problem solved together, creates pathways of connection that last a lifetime.

Collaboration isn’t only for children. When families and communities come together, we create a space for empathy to blossom. Just like the roots of a tree intertwining underground, we support each other’s growth—planting seeds of kindness, understanding, and unity.

At school, we have lots of opportunities to collaborate! This year, we have book studies, photograph exploration, community connections and so much more . Stay on the lookout for opportunities to participate if you’re interested. Together, we can encourage those sparks of wonder to light up, one connection at a time.

Stay curious and full of wonder,

Angelina

A Blooming Collaboration

What a wonderful way to welcome parent collaborations back into the studio!!!  Melena joined us for floral arranging with the children of both Ward-Hobbs and 440, creating a mini floral shop in our school.

The children were delighted, focused and enchanted by the blooming bounty.  

As they worked they told us who would be receiving their arrangement. 


Each face lit up at the idea of having something so beautiful to share with their loved ones.

Thank you so much Melena for bringing this magical experience to life! 

If any of you would like to partner with the studio for a collaboration based on your interests or ours, PLEASE let me know!  It's one of the many things that make our school so special!

Love Yum Muffins

BJ joined me in the studio this week for a cooking project!  Some Love Yum Muffins.  She made corn muffins using a GF boxed mix and the children helped to make Love Yum Strawberry Jam!

To try it at home...

You will need:

1.5 cups sugar

1 large lemon, zested and juiced

1 1/2 pints fresh strawberries, hulled and halved

Combine the sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a small saucepan and cook over very low heat for 10 minutes, until the sugar is dissolved. Add the strawberries and continue to cook over very low heat for 20 minutes, until the strawberries release some of their juices and the mixture boils slowly. Cook until a small amount of the juice gels on a very cold plate.  Pour into a serving container and keep refrigerated.

Adapted from Ina Garter's recipe

The results were a huge success!!!!!
Love and Yum!

Winter Solstice

The sun is making its low progress across the sky and the wild world has drawn its energy inward to prepare for a long winter sleep.  Nature reminds us that the shortest day is nearly upon us.  To celebrate, the children prepared a special gift to share, filled with everything you’ll need for some simple solstice merriment.  There is birdseed for the birds and candles to warm the longest night of the year.  Please join us in welcoming Winter with a blessing and a song.

A Song for Winter Birds

The North Wind doth blow

And we shall have snow

And what will the robin do then, poor thing

He’ll sit in the barn

And keep himself warm

And hide his head under his wing, poor thing

The North Wind doth blow

And we shall have snow

And what will the swallow do then, poor thing

Oh did you not know

He’s gone long ago

To a country far warmer than ours.

Wassail Recipe

½ gallon apple cider

46 oz can pineapple juice

46 oz cranberry juice blend

1 orange thinly sliced to look like suns

5 cinnamon sticks

1-2 star anise

A handful of whole, fresh cranberries

Pour apple cider, pineapple juice and cranberry juice into a stockpot.  Place orange slices, cranberries, cinnamon sticks and anise into apple cider mixture.  Bring cider to a boil: reduce heat and simmer until flavors have blended, 15-20 minutes.  Remove orange slices, cranberries and spices before serving. 

Candle Verse

A candle’s but a simple thing,

It starts with just a bit of string,

But dipped or rolled with patient hand,

It gathers wax upon the strand.

Until complete and snowy white,

It gives at last a lovely light.

Life seems so like that bit of string,

Each deed we do a simple thing.

Yet day by day on life’s strand,

We work with patient heart and hand.

It gathers joy, makes dark days bright,

And gives at last a lovely light.

Stone Soup, Grandparents/Special Friends Day and Gratitude

What a full week I have to share with you!  A week overflowing with collaborations and celebrations!

First off, our executive director and resident story teller extraordinaire, Bekke, told the story of Stone Soup to the children.  If you don't know the story there are lots of online resources but none compares to Bekke's (she put a Lakota Sioux spin on hers, weaving native traditions into the traditionally European tale).  Here is a  link to a simple one I found this morning.  Stone soup is a perfect story for Thanksgiving too!  (In case you get inspired to share).

The children were so captivated by the story that they asked to make stone soup in the studio.  Not yet having any ingredients to offer, I asked how they might make it with the materials available.

In a blink the children collected supplies and set to work, drawing, coloring and cutting their contributions before adding them to the soup.

On Thursday we made the real thing.  The children carefully cut all the vegetables into small, bite sized pieces to share with their loved ones on Grandparents and Special Friends Day.

Rhiannon joined me to make dozens of delicious gluten-free corn muffins to add to the festivities.

And BJ spent a day with me, stringing sliced fruits to make garlands that will dry and adorn the studio in the months ahead.

 On Friday we set the bounty on display and opened our doors to greet family and friends.

The atmosphere was enthusiastic!
Throughout the day the children and their friends wrote their gratitudes on brown paper to be added to the Love Tree and dished up their culinary creations.

It was certainly a week to be grateful for!
I am wishing you a wonderful holiday filled with gratitude and thanksgiving, may your days be lit with wonder and your moments bright with curiosity.
See you in December!

Here's a little clip of Bekke's story to get a taste of the tale:

The Love Tree

Our tree is taking shape, thanks to all the children who have added papier mache' to its emerging bark.  We had to really rub the gluey paper onto the trunk in order to smooth it down and get it to adhere properly.  As we did a few children said, "We love you tree!" as they lovingly rubbed the bark.  This action took off and soon most of the children could be heard loving the tree into life.

When we were done I asked, "What should we call our tree?" and they suggested "Love Tree."  So that is what it has become, our very own love tree. Several of your children have become young tree huggers in their own right.

Today the teachers and I talked about the tree study and where we might go from here.  They had so many fabulous ideas, most of which I would never have considered on my own.  Ahhh the power of collaboration! I can hardly wait to share these inspirations with you and the children in the months ahead.
If you are a parent at our school come on by to see our resident tree and if you'd like to share your love of trees with the world, there will be lots of opportunities ahead!  PLEASE contact me and we will make something happen.
Enjoy your weekend and say hello to your neighborhood trees!