Building A Community Day By Day
A grandpa comes into the classroom to read aloud his grandchild’s favorite book.
Community in a preschool classroom isn’t something that just happens; it's something we build together, day by day, through small acts of care and connection. One of the stories we love to read with the children, William’s Winter Nap by Linda Ashman, beautifully captures this idea. In the book, William, the young boy, opens his door again and again to animals seeking warmth, showing how welcoming others creates bonds among us. We use this story to help children see that our classroom is just like William’s cozy home: a place where everyone belongs, everyone contributes, and everyone is cared for.
Our community extends far beyond the children and teachers. Asme and Hannah, who clean our preschool each day, are part of the heartbeat of our school. The children know them by name, wave to them in the hallways, and understand that their work helps keep our space safe and welcoming. Ben, who fixes everything from wobbly shelves to squeaky doors, is another familiar and friendly face. When the temperature dropped and our heat kicked on, we had some issues with our heat. It was coming out too cold. We knew just what to do: call Ben! The children were so excited to watch Ben perform his magic on our heating system and fix it, so we had warm air in our classroom. When the children see all these adults working together, they learn that a community is made up of many hands and many hearts.
The grandparents who live upstairs are our unofficial storytellers, cheerleaders, and gentle presences who remind the children that community includes people of all ages. The children notice when a grandparent is sleeping and ask, “Are they okay, teacher?” Then they gently touch the grandparent’s hand and they open their eyes. When the older adult looks into the child’s eyes, they both feel such joy.
Parents have played an especially meaningful role in shaping our classroom culture in the Autumn Room this year. Throughout the year, families have visited to share their traditions, cultural celebrations, or a story that they love to read to their child. These moments echo the spirit of William’s Winter Nap: opening our “door” to new experiences and welcoming the richness each family brings. When children see their parents and caregivers valued as teachers and contributors, they understand that learning is woven through relationships. Together, we create a classroom where every child feels at home, supported by a community that grows stronger with every shared moment.