Summer is a natural time to reset, slow down, and lean into a favorite hobby or a good book. While I enjoyed reading, painting, and organizing at home, my true highlight was watching season three of Ted Lasso.
Beyond the humor, watching it fed my soul. It offered a profound vision for human connection: honoring the individual needs and values of teammates, leaning into bids for connection, stepping boldly into uncertainty, and trusting that when a team responds to one another’s needs, everyone grows stronger.
It is a framework that isn’t just for a locker room—it is the very heart of how we approach early childhood education. How do we take this ethos and bring it to life for our earliest learners? It begins with being present, noticing the small details, and starting before school even opens.
Starting at Home: Stepping into Uncertainty with Trust
Like all meaningful relationships, building a strong community is not instantaneous; it takes time, intention, and care. Our commitment to this work begins before the first day of school, when our head teachers visit each new student and their family in their home.
Stepping into a new school year involves a degree of uncertainty for both children and parents. Home visits allow educators and families to step into that space together, laying the foundation for a trusting, authentic partnership while uncovering each family’s unique hopes and intentions for the year. For parents, this unhurried connection provides reassurance that their child’s individual identity and values will be deeply honored. For children, meeting their teacher in their most comfortable, safe environment creates instant emotional security, making the transition to school far gentler. By observing what brings each child joy and taking subtle cues from their home environment, teachers thoughtfully weave those familiar comforts directly into the classroom; ensuring school becomes a warm, reassuring extension of home.
Leaning into “Bids” for Connection and Responding to Needs
Once school begins, we build our “team” by being fully present and paying close attention to what early childhood researchers call “bids for connection.”
In preschool, a bid is any attempt a child makes to reach out to a peer or an adult; a quiet glance up while building a block tower, a shared moment at the sensory table, or a gentle tug on a sleeve. Just like a tight-knit team, our goal as educators is to catch and respond to these moments. When grownups and peers notice and return these bids, children learn that their needs matter and their voices are heard. This responsive environment teaches children to look out for one another, laying the groundwork for real friendship, empathy, and collective strength to take root.
Finding Shared Ground Through Storytelling
Much like Ted Lasso’s famous locker room talks, where personal stories and gentle anecdotes became safe harbors for reflection, trust, and reassurance, the stories we share in the classroom serve as our own touchstones. Storytelling gives young children a mirror to see themselves and a window to understand others, creating a safe space to be vulnerable when navigating moments of uncertainty or big feelings.
Two books that I love that are often on our display racks illustrate these ideas beautifully:
Together, these stories remind our children that our unique differences make our community rich, while our shared kindness, humor, and common interests bring us together.
Growing Together: Our Shared Journey Ahead
A strong team is built not by forcing uniformity, but by honoring each person’s unique gifts and trusting one another along the journey.
My intention for this school year is to partner deeply with our families, ensuring our school serves as a warm, reassuring extension of home. My wish for our community is that this year brings shared discoveries, gentle listening, and lasting, meaningful relationships across our entire congregation.
Here’s to a connected and inspiring school year ahead!
Adrienne Rosen
Gan Shalom Nursery School Director
