When Wishes Take Wings - Singapore American School

The 2020-21 school year offered new possibilities for learning, as educators and children adapted to the altered physical and social environment necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. We drew on the children’s interest in connecting with people and places overseas and sought to co-create new possibilities for communication and travel. The children created small world airports, sent postcards around the world, organized Zoom calls with beloved family members, connected virtually with pilots, and transformed the learning community into winter and summer climates. 

We invited the children to share their dreams for the future. One child suggested writing their wishes on kites, and flying them in the hope they soon come true. The children's wishes soared through the skies in this beautiful end to the year-long project.

Some of our youngest learners shared their wishes: 

"All the planes are stopped." 

"I miss my Halahbuhjee and Halmunni so much. I want to sleep over with them. Sometimes I call them, but I just really miss them." 

"I wish I could fly on the airplane and see my grandparents." 

"I wish I could see my mummy's mummy. She is 80." 

"My wish is to eat ice cream and popcorn in India." 

Our early learning center is a place of wonderings and wanderings. Inspired by the preschools in the small town of Reggio Emilia, Italy, the SAS early learning center program embraces the idea that, along with adults and other children, the physical environment is the child’s “third teacher.” A Reggio-inspired approach sees both the outdoor environment and the classroom environment as crucial to creating in children the wonder, excitement, curiosity, and joy that should be integral to all learning experiences. Learning about the environment also teaches students citizenship, as caring for our surroundings is part of being a responsible member of any community. Come explore our program at https://www.sas.edu.sg/academics/elc. 

Video: https://youtu.be/U5-9TcIvgRc

04 Jun 2021
Hannah Connors and Gretchen Clow