This month in Rabbit Run...

Hello, Rabbit Run!
 
It’s March! Over the past month, we celebrated Valentine’s day, quite a few birthdays, and have been centering Black voices for Black History Month in our books, music, and conversation. In our classroom, we talk often about skin color and the three factors that determine our skin color (melanin, the sun, and our ancestors), and we know that no one's skin is actually black or white but rather many different shades of brown. We discussed the term "Black” and “African American” and how it is used to describe people whose family/ancestors come from Africa. 
 
We discuss the equator, and the beautiful, deep shades of brown skin that people who live near the equator have, because they have lots of melanin to protect them in the hot, sunny climate. The children always point out Ms. Laura's beautiful brown skin. We also discuss how people with lighter skin have ancestors who come from cool, less sunny climates, and have less melanin in their skin. We look at our globe and our map, point out the equator and the continents that touch it, and talk about how people of all skin colors live all over the globe now no matter the climate thanks to our many modes of travel and transportation. My favorite book for this is “All the Colors We Are: The Story of How We Get Our Skin Color”- perfectly informative and age appropriate. 
 
We also talk about Black musicians (they are in love with Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder right now!), authors, and book characters who we have present in our classroom who we love. At this age/developmental stage, we do not bring conversations about oppression or racism, but rather center the conversation around Black Joy and make sure there is representation within the classroom. Skin color is something all children notice, and by giving them the correct information to talk about our skin and our similarities and differences we support each child’s natural development/understanding of self-identity and respect for the identity of others. 
 
Something else exciting is happening starting this month! We are now able to open the classrooms up to 2 parents/caregivers for Celebrations of Life (birthdays)! If your child has a birthday coming up, we welcome you to join us in-person (masked) while they take their trips around the sun! We’ve got lots of Spring birthdays, and are very excited to bring this tradition back. We are also very excited about the Open House this Friday. Come join us at 1 to tour the classrooms and take a closer peek at your child’s learning environment! 
 
Hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far, the community playdate today was lovely- it is so nice to be in community again! 

Also please enjoy this article:
www.janetlansbury.com/2022/02/choose-not-to-battle-with-your-child-heres-how/
 
Best,
Elizabeth