In Our Elements! Vol V
Vol. V - the preschool edition
Welcome to the Elements Academy newsletter, ‘In Our Elements!’
Your behind-the-scenes look at the magic of a child-led school (and life).
Written by Heather DiNino, Founder, Director, Educator, Elements Academy 🌳🌊☁️🔥
Each edition has the following sections:
📓 IN THE CLASSROOM - Something happening at school in one of our classrooms (don’t worry, learning here is actually FUN)
🚙 OUT AND ABOUT - Something happening away from school! (we all know learning goes past the 4 walls, right?!)
📣 SMALL MOMENT SPOTLIGHT - The small moments that have the BIGGEST impact
🛠️ TRY IT AT HOME - your opportunity to DIY! An invitation to be more child-led at home!
✨ Ready for this week?! Let’s get started! ✨
📓 IN THE CLASSROOM
SENSORY PLAY IS PURE MAGIC
Open access to sensory experiences is as vital as access to food, the bathroom, and fresh air (which, by the way, our kids also have #BasicHumanRights). Sensory tools aren’t extras—they’re essential. Each one serves a unique purpose in helping kids regulate, explore, and express themselves. This week, we’ll highlight 3 sensory play options that have made a world of difference for our preschool kiddos.
Crash Pads: Movement for Regulation
Some kids need proprioceptive input throughout the day (it’s deep pressure that helps them feel grounded in their bodies). One of our favorite ways to offer this input is with crash pads. The kids go into our sensory room to build obstacle courses, stack nuggets into forts, and, of course, take full-body dives into the crash pads. Our sensory room is stocked with giant crash pads, Nuggets, tunnels, pillows, and more — all designed to support gross motor movement and self-regulation — oh, and FUN!
Shaving Cream: Messy Play with Purpose
For some kids, it’s a blank canvas for writing their name. For others, it’s a tool for imaginative play—creating snow people or pretend baking. Some just love the feeling of it on their hands, while others? They want nothing to do with it (and that’s totally okay!). Sensory play is never forced — everyone gets to engage at their own comfort level. And noticing how they play (or not) with the shaving cream is so informative for us, as educators, to get a sneak peek into how these littles function.
Watercolors: The Magic of Flow
If you haven’t experienced liquid watercolors, this is the sign you’ve been waiting for. Using science droppers, kids watch in awe as colors spread and blend in water. Over time, we’ve added baby oil, shaving cream, and other materials to see what happens. For one child, this has become an essential calming tool. When she’s on simmer—that moment right before a meltdown—watercolors are her reset button. Watching the slow swirl of color helps her regulate and return to calm.
Sensory Play is Non-Negotiable - We believe every preschool should make space for kids to explore, regulate, and engage with the world through all their senses. Do you agree? Or not? We’d love to hear your opinions and experiences! (heather@elementsacademy.org)
🚙 OUT AND ABOUT
At a recent conference in Boston, I found myself sitting among hundreds of nonprofit leaders gathered in the Marriott Copley Place. The energy in the room was palpable—passionate individuals dedicated to making a difference, all coming together to learn, connect, and grow.
As I looked around, I noticed something simple yet striking.
Adults scanned the schedule for the day, carefully circling the sessions that interested them most. Some whispered excitedly about a panel speaker they were eager to hear. Others lingered over coffee, deep in conversation with colleagues, choosing connection over rushing to the next session. People stretched their legs, stepped outside for fresh air, or took a moment to recharge when they needed it.
No one had to ask permission to go to the bathroom. No one was told to sit still, stay quiet, or wait until a designated break to meet their basic needs. If someone felt overwhelmed, they stepped away. If a session wasn’t what they expected, they quietly left and found another that suited them better. Everyone was trusted to manage their own time, their own bodies, and their own learning.
Hearing from other educators and remembering my decades of public school teaching, I can’t say the same respect is being given to kids. Unfortunately, Elements Academy is still considered ‘alternative’ for providing kids with respect and autonomy in schools.
📣 SMALL MOMENT SPOTLIGHT
"Can I have a hug?"
"Of course."
It doesn’t get more powerful than that. A child asking for connection. A caring adult saying yes.
Too often, in big systems, the human part of the equation gets lost. I’ve seen countless times that policies, procedures, and rules matter more than the actual child standing in front of you — more than their feelings, their needs, their human self. Educators are unable to nurture their students — afraid of breaking a rule, of being seen as playing favorites, of getting in trouble for showing basic human warmth.
At Elements, I’m proud to say we hug each other. We show up for each other. We create a home away from home, where teachers are caregivers and kids are safe to ask for what they need — especially when what they need is a little love.
If your child needs a hug, you better believe they’ll get one here.
🛠️ TRY IT AT HOME
Hug them when they ask.
I know—it sounds obvious, right? They’re your child. You probably hug them all the time.
But do you really hug them?
And is it when they want it?
Try this:
Next time they ask for a hug, stop what you're doing. Wrap them up slowly. Fully. Let it be the only thing you’re doing in that moment. Breathe them in. Let your hearts connect. Take deep breaths, and notice—after a moment—they’ll start to breathe deeper too.
You don’t get these moments back.
Don’t be too busy for a hug.
Savor every single one.
🌳🌊☁️🔥
Until next time,
Heather 💕
Founding Director, Elements Academy