I woke up this morning feeling a bit stiff from having engaged my neglected "walking up hills" muscles yesterday. I met up with one of my new friends in the hallway and had a chance to say goodbye to her over breakfast as she left for Hawaii today. Someone had mishandled the coffeepot last night and broke off the handle for the spigot. This morning the lid was off and there was a mug on a plate in front of it for dipping. Tonight, the coffeepot is absent. I hope it comes back soon.
It was a gorgeous walk down Highlands this morning, though I got caught up in the rush of students headed for Hollywood High. I arrived quite early again, despite having slept half an hour later than I did yesterday. I suppose the time I spent in my room last night while the lights were on to organize myself for morning paid off!
We kicked off the day with a bit of a disclaimer; the instructor talked about how repairing the relationship builds it up, and that reconciliation not only helps mend the rifts caused by our mistakes, it also allows us to model for our children how to maintain a respectful relationship and how to handle conflicts with grace. This was part of the conversation about how it's impossible to be perfect and do everything right; "the perfection is in self-reflection and repair".
We talked about how trust, respect, and careful observation are interrelated, and dug into some actual observation practise of our own. There was also a real emphasis on the quality of time spent with the child over the quantity of time (better to spend five or ten minutes giving the child your complete, undivided, unhurried, agendaless attention than to spend all day paying half-attention).
We went to a nearby chicken grill place (whose name I have already forgotten) to get some tasty wraps for lunch.
The afternoon focussed on gross motor development, the importance of transitional postures and skills (each of which lays the foundation for the next major milestone), and fostering natural motor development through freedom of motion. It was really beautiful to watch the videos of children whose motor skills had developed naturally and without adult interference; they moved with grace and confidence, and showed good judgement about whether it was safe to climb a particular piece of equipment or move in a particular way -- they were very sure of their own abilities.
Today's class was jam-packed with information, and I was pretty tired after walking up the hill to the hostel again. I managed to talk to my new roommate (from South Korea) but there is a fairly serious language barrier there. I have yet to have a conversation with Roommate #2, as at least one of us always seems to be asleep whenever the other is in the room. Now, time for some light fine-motor-related reading before bed!
P.S: HOORAY, A STAFFER JUST WALKED IN WITH A NEW COFFEE MAKER!
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