Cracking the Code of a "Good Day"

It was the most amazing morning.  

Everywhere I looked, children were deeply engaged.  Talking.  Negotiating.  Making plans. Building.  Experimenting.  Laughing.  Gorgeous, focused, purposeful work filled our room, along with a collective sense of "flow."  Oh, this was the good stuff.  And I was just there to ask the right question at the right time; or share a loving observation; or simply be ready if I was needed.  I was relaxed and happy, at my best teaching.  It was as close as it gets to my ideal time in the classroom, and my heart was so full.  

Naturally, I immediately started thinking about why.  What made this morning so successful and what could I do to recreate it?  Coming fresh off my last blog post about scheduling, I think there were a few key factors:

• Nowhere to be and no obligations. We had no "special" classes to go to, and so we had the flexibility to just go with what made sense, schedule-wise.  I felt very much in tune with the group's energy and could respond accordingly.  
• When I saw that the children were so engaged in their work, I just extended that block of time for the day.  We offered snack as a center (instead of whole group), so that the children could come and go freely, as dictated by their own hunger and their willingness to take a break from their work.  Later in the morning, we had one long block of outside play, rather than two shorter ones.  

I keep reflecting, keep wanting to be able to crack the code of what made up this particular morning so we can have them ALL THE TIME!  But the truth is, I know this: Some mornings are golden.  They just are.  And some are really hard, no matter how much you try to turn them around.  What worked today may not work tomorrow.  There will be days when the energy is very unsettled right off the bat, and we'll need to get outside for a few hours.  Or a visit to the art studio will scratch just the itch for a particular student.  There is no secret formula to having all good days, all the time.  Even though I wish there were!  

What I'm walking away with is the reminder that flexibility, connection, and joy are the keys to our shared time together.  Good day, bad day, whatever: That's what we're about. I'm happy for the chance to recommit myself to that.