Buddies ~ leprechaun masks and pants

**In September 2011 6 families got together and started Buddies Home School. Each week we meet in each other's home and follow a simple rhythm: movement and music, craft/ baking, snack time, free play and story time. Each part of the session is led by a different family. We are sharing this week's session with you here...***

 

This week at Buddies we were delighted to welcome a new family to the group. Welcome Kirsten, Little Z and littlest M!!! As a group we are aware of the fact that after the summer we will be loosing some families. Joa, for example, will be starting pre-school so this is our last season of being Buddies (sob!) so with that in mind we are starting to look around for new families to join us to keep the group going. Having this Home Kindergarten group is so special for all of us. The kids get so much out of it. A place to play and learn, to make friends, to learn to follow instruction from other adults. Discovering sharing and negotiation with our peers. For us parents we have learnt so much about ourselves as teachers, crafters, players... We have forged gorgeous friendships and have built a strong support network. I think home kindergarten is the perfect bridge between mother's knee and a formal kindergarten or school. In fact I am writing a short piece for Juno magazine on the subject that I hope will make it into the summer edition. I am also (with the support and prompting of the Buddies mummies) considering writing a wee e-book on how to set up and run such a group.

 

So, to this week:

 

We started as usual with our welcome song and let the kids pick their favourite songs for us to sing.



 

incy wincy spider

 For our craft this week Zoe brought along pre-cut out leprechaun masks and fabulous squeezy paints.

 After a good deal of squeezing and mess the Buddies went off to play while Flo prepared their snack.

 

 They enjoyed their snack to the gentle tones of little Z banging the table with a hammer and as usual there was not a crust of bread or slice of apple left.

To end our session Beth (with little M's kind permission) read us 2 pants stories that were really enjoyed by all.