Jillian Day

During January and February, each child in Jillian's class gets to have a day all about them and their favorite things. Jillian was the very last one in her class to have her day. It took us a while to come up with a theme that was original but we finally did. (This was not a requirement but I didn't want to do a repeat of Pajama Day as Jill originally requested because the Mom who did it first made adorable fleece pillows for every child and waffles for snack. Sort of a hard act to follow.) If you know Jillian, you know she loves her doll, Rosie, so we decided to do "Dolly Day." When we got to the school, the classroom was all set up with TONS of dolls for the kids to play with during free play.

We got set up and the kids glued their felt bears together first thing.

They always have something to scrub up in this water tray. Today, of course, was dollies.

The poster we made to help everyone get to know Jillian.

This year has been really great for Jillian. I'm sure many kids go through this but it has been neat to watch her grow up a little bit. At the beginning of the school year she would come home a little discouraged because noone wanted to play with her. We would ask if she did play with anyone on the playground or in the morning during free time. She would usually say that she had. We finally figured out that her perception of noone wanting to play with her was not being invited to play with someone, in so many words. "Do you want to play with me?" We've had lots of discussions about being the one to initiate and invite others to play. We've also dialogued asking to join someone else's games and talked about the fact that two other playing together doesn't mean they are purposely excluding you, and they would probably love to have you join them. (Funny how sometimes we still need to learn this lesson as adults:)

She got to be the line leader. You can't see it but she's holding the front loop of the rope. Those ropes are pure genius, by the way.

And she got traced and colored by her friends.

We also read Corduroy, listened to some of her Charlie and Lola CD to showcase her favorites and ate bagels and cream cheese and clementines for snack.

Jillian Day = A great day! What a fun idea to spotlight each of the kids. We love this little school. I have been SO impressed by the teachers, parents and children we've interacted with here. Everyone is so thoughtful, but especially the kids, which I think reflects on the parents and their examples. The other day we were at playgroup and Jillian came over crying to me. She was pretty upset and I could tell it was her hurt feelings cry. She said the other girls were hiding from her. About 30 seconds later one of the other little girls came over asking what had happened and why Jillian was sad. I told she thought maybe they were hiding from her. She said "Oh no, we were just going behind the curtain. We weren't hiding from you. Are you okay Jillian?" It was the sweetest thing! And she had noticed Jillian was upset across a large gymnasium and come over just to check on her! I was very impressed that she would be so aware of another's feelings at 4 years of age. We just found out Peter got in for the two day class for next year. Yeah!

As an aside, one of the sweet girls at school drew her a picture and gave it to her while I was there. She said "It's you, and me, and your doll!" Such a small gesture but so thoughtful. Kids are the best. Anyway, then today Jillian told Lucy it was of her, and Lucy and Lucy's doll, but she was holding Lucy's doll so she didn't get lost. I love that not only was she seeing the scene but putting actions to characters in the drawing.