School-age 1 had a blast creating our belonging tree with handprints. The educator explained that each child’s handprint would represent everyone belonging together in the classroom and their appreciation for one another. Children selected paint colours and dipped their hands to create prints on a large sheet of paper. Through this activity, we learned about teamwork, creativity, and the value of each individual's contribution in our classroom. Children practiced expressing gratitude and recognizing the value of each other belonging. The process of making the tree also helped the children develop their fine motor skills as they carefully painted or traced their handprints. Moreover, the activity encouraged social interaction and communication among the children as they discussed ideas and worked together to create something beautiful. This hands-on project not only fostered creativity but also instilled a sense of pride and accomplishment in each child as they saw the tree come together, symbolizing their unity and friendship. It is a daily reminder that in our classroom, no one is left out. Everyone's handprint had a place on the tree, just as everyone have a place in our class. The tree showed that we all belonged, that each of us added something special to our shared world. Our "Belonging Tree" wasn’t just a project; it became a symbol of our classroom—a place where every handprint mattered, where every child was celebrated, and where everyone knew they belonged.
