Cassia 1 & 2 News

What a beautiful start to the new year. The two Cassia classes have been settling in well and it is a joy to see both new faces arriving and old faces returning to the Cassia Garden.

The Transition children have confidently stepped into their roles as leaders for the younger children, eagerly showing them the morning tasks, such as taking in lunch boxes and cutting fruit. It’s a joy to watch them naturally guide the younger children, gently teaching them the ropes.

As teachers, we see their confidence shine through as they take on these responsibilities. A highlight this week has been sharing the morning song with parents, as we gather both classes together to sing our way into the day. Parents, if you have the time, please join us for this 8:40 a.m. song, where we celebrate the strength of our Cassia community as a whole. Additionally, if you would like to add your business card to the Cassia Parent Tree on the notice board, please see Rose or Maz.

In the garden, we’ve had some very hot days, and on Monday and Wednesday, the children dived into muddy piggy play. This will continue throughout Term One, so parents, please ensure your child has spare clothes in their bag for after the play. Sending them in old clothes on these days is perfectly fine and helps them feel at ease as they get muddy and enjoy themselves. This week, they made fine mud pies, helped Rose dig out the pit, and mixed fresh mud. Some explorers even made a bridge across the deeper parts.

Playing barefoot and in the mud helps children develop balance, coordination, and posture. The sensory experience of the mud is cooling and helps the children connect deeply with their bodies. In this play, the children are not only connected to nature but also building their immune systems and boosting their mood through exposure to Mycobacterium vaccae, which increases serotonin levels in the brain, helping them relax, soothe, and calm.

For more information about the benefits of mud play, be sure to pick up a Welcome Pack from Maz or Rose if you haven’t already. Inside, you’ll find a wealth of information about Cassia’s rhythms and processes. We highly recommend reading these articles to help your child get the most out of their time at Cassia.

It is a family event and the more the merrier as we get stuck into beautifying the garden for the children to enjoy this year. 

Blessings on your week and thank you for a joyful start to the year.