Monkey Tree Early Years Nature Program, Comox,BC
813 EASTRIDGE COURT V9M 3R4 Comox, BC, Canada

Welcome JUNE and Goodbye MAY! I didn't write to welcome May, and that felt awkward. I was getting myself through a transition and having to write just one paragraph for Monkey Tree seemed so daunting! Yes we all have moments and days and weeks of not so good times. Children do as well, but how WE adults react make all the difference! The catch here is just HOW we react - is it nurturing and supportive? or is it with impatience and resentment?... We are the teachers! Parents, caregivers, adults in all the spheres of influence for your child - we hold the power, and that power needs to smoothly become EMPOWERMENT for a child when that child is going through a tough time emotionally. Adults - please mind your manners! Adults - please be the adults! Adults - please seek support from others! Give yourself time and love, give children time and love - we're always growing, so help these young lives and older lives be BEAUTIFUL! And for the love of life, please go outside and get dirty, play in the rain, dig in the garden, get buried in the sand, paint and create, eat white snow, make pine cone and chocolate tea, sleep under the stars, and make forts - lots of forts. Monkey Tree Early Years Nature Program will be closing forever at the end of June 2018. It has been an amazing journey of growth, both professionally and personally. I have been blessed with surrounding myself with like minded souls, my tribe - we all have one, tap into yours and the freedom will surprise you! Keep playing!

Hoping every creature had a beautiful Earth Day 2018!

Downpour on Wednesday and wearing sunglasses and sweaters on Thursday. Wind warnings are flooding social media, for East Vancouver Island, although there is currently only a breath of a breeze. I’m off to walk the dog in the sunshine for now as the Wacky Weather Month continues!

We had a lovely Spring Break and yet still opened four days to welcome friends to play! April should be tagged with Wacky Weather Month, because it’s been a rollercoaster of Spring elements. Here we are with siblings on Spring Break Play Dates, playing in the sandpit in the middle of the forest, and here we are starting our bean seed planting and we’ll add in lettuce and flowers soon.

Hello April 2018! The weather can change as quickly as our minds can change. As the weather changes, we need to adapt. As the environment of play changes, children need to adapt. ... What is the environment in your home, yard, or community (whether urban, rural, beach, prairie, field, farm, or forest? What is the climate of relationships within your family, neighbours, child's daycare or school friends, teachers, coaches, team mates, church, or work? Is it caring, responsive, and attentive? Is it open ended for children to explore freely and with curiosity, a freedom that is nurtured? In an emotionally healthy childhood the 'giving' appears very one-sided in the beginning. It appears one sided because it is the adult who decides how to guide in a heart centered partnership that meets the child's physical, mental and emotional needs. It is the adult who is going to listen for the cues and clues and respond to them thereby forging a working partnership. In that process, the template for all future emotionally healthy intimate relationships is laid down, as is the child's future mental and physical health. Dance with me in the Heart I start each day as new beginning. I write this on Easter weekend, and however you celebrate, I honour that. Everyday for your child is a new beginning as well. Full of exploring, discovery, relationships with family, peers, nature, and of course understanding themselves.

If you like this little bird, then hop over to view our Spring Album!