PDX Happenings

Hadley and her teachers: Sage (L) and Anesha (R)

Last weekend we attended Hadley’s “Gala” at her daycare.  This was the first year they have decided to do it and it will surely be an annual event.  On Saturday afternoon from 3:30-5:00, each classroom was open for parents and family members to walk through to see how our kids have been spending the year.  They had delicious food, cake and a three piece band (keyboard, drums and a stand up bass) playing from the top of the play structure on the playground as well.

Hadley’s class (the Chechen Room) was lined with story boards and pictures depicting the different projects and activities that have taken place in the last 9 months.  They do things at her daycare that I would never do at home!  For instance they were having a unit on textures and sensory experience.  They had large bins (think food-service size) of cornmeal and flour that the kids could play in and run their fingers through.  I’m not sure what Hadley gained from it but it sure looked like she had fun!  She had flour everywhere and looked like the cutest little clown I’ve ever seen, complete with white face paint.  The tie-dyed shirt that I dressed her in that day didn’t help her cause either.

Growing Seeds is a wonderful daycare and we are so grateful that Hadley gets to spend her days learning and exploring

Watching the class video montage that Sage made for the parents

there.  She loves her teachers and her friends and we love the type of learning that goes on.  Each class has a Spanish speaking teacher and an English speaking teacher.  There have been numerous studies on the benefits of bilingual education and it’s been fun to see Hadley learn some Spanish words.  She actually said “agua” before she said “water” and has used both Spanish and English words when pointing things out.  She has been known to call a duck “pato” in addition to the English word.  John and I took Spanish in high school so we’re able to get some simple books from the library in Spanish to keep things consistent but before we know it, she’ll be passing us up!

They also use American Sign Language throughout the day and Hadley has learned to communicate using some signs.  She can tell us when she wants to eat, when she’s thirsty, when she’s all done, and when she’s gone poop among other things.  It’s been so helpful to be able to communicate with her before she’s really talking.  She probably knows about 20 signs and is learning more daily.

Speaking of talking, Hadley has had a little growth spurt in her speech lately as well.  Her words may not be clear to everyone, but John and I are understanding more and more words, signs and sounds from her.  She knows about 15 animal sounds (“Hadley, what does a cow say?” “MOOOOOOOO!”–cuteness!!) and has about 20 words.  It’s amazing to me how much she can understand as well.  It’s been a really fun couple of months watching her take everything in and learn on a daily, almost hourly basis.  I’m really convinced that the excellent care she receives at Growing Seeds has helped foster her learning and growing.  It’s really no wonder we were on the waiting list for a year before we got in!

And of course, the link to some current pictures of the little one.