(a treasured baby blanket – owned since birth)

CUBBIES

as an early childhood educator of many years

i’ve seen many children come to school with all kinds of things

sometimes they wear layers of clothing all buttoned up

shedding layers as the year continues

some bring heavy bags with their entire dinosaur collection

which gets smaller and smaller as time goes by

some bring a whole box of cars

some wear costumes

some bring a picture of someone they love

some carry heavy rocks in their pockets or boots

some bring special tiny things to leave in their personal cubby

all these treasures sit waiting patiently for the children

to come and pick them up

or touch them or share them or cuddle them

as needed

they all have one thing in common

these items are very special to them

 they represent

a connection between home and school

helping them to feel safe and secure

they always get smaller, appear less often, or fade away with time

as the child grows confident and claims the classroom as their own

a place they are welcome, are truly a part of, and where they belong.

as the year continues

they love to bring things from school back to their home

artwork, inventions, words, and things found outside in nature

all that have stories to go with them

so excited to share a part of their school day with the ones they love

the connection goes both ways

(favorite cars and strong robot monster)

(very fancy sparkly shoes and water bottle)

(little pencils used to learn how to write with tiny hands and fresh moss from outside)

(a beloved cuddly red panda)

my favorite treasure ever 

(that little thing that comes in a carryout pizza box

that looks like a miniature table)

 

—

‘safety is a basic human need.

people with a sense of security and belonging are stabilized for learning, creating, innovating.

a group of wonderfully cared for, confident individuals will generate great ideas.’

*john sweeney

*John Sweeney is a British investigative journalist and writer who worked for The Observer newspaper, and the BBC’s Panorama and Newsnight series.