In Our Elements! Vol VI
Vol. VI - the magic of 6 year-olds
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
6 year-olds are pure magic - and so are MagnaTiles - you cannot convince us otherwise
Magna-Tiles are a staple in every household and classroom, right?! (I know they’re expensive—and believe me, we are always looking to pinch pennies where we can—but Magna-Tiles are truly worth every single penny and then some.)
The amount of learning and joy that happens naturally, organically, on a daily basis with these little magnetic shapes is honestly mind-blowing. Kids are deep in problem-solving and critical thinking as they try to figure out how to get that tower to balance, or why the roof keeps collapsing, or how to build a house big enough for all the stuffed animals. They’re exploring geometry, symmetry, angles, spatial reasoning, and physics—without even realizing it. (And don’t even get me started on the high school kids that are learning physics right now and the symbiosis is beautiful!)
And it’s not just STEM. There’s so much storytelling and imaginative play, too. One moment, Magna-Tiles are a castle. The next, they’re a rocket ship or a secret animal hospital. Kids are collaborating, negotiating roles (“You be the dragon guard!”), and adapting plans on the fly. It’s beautiful, brain-building play.
If there’s one toy that deserves the floor space and the budget, it’s this one.
🚙 OUT AND ABOUT
SAVE THE WORMS!
Every time it rains, my kids spring into action—gently relocating worms from sidewalks and driveways to grassy, muddy spots. This past week gave us plenty of worm-saving practice.
They’ve been doing it since they were toddlers, and what began as a simple act of care has grown into a tradition full of questions and curiosity:
Do worms have moms? Do they like the dark? What do they eat? Do they sleep?
I love watching how, year after year, their awareness deepens—and how a small act of kindness becomes a doorway into learning. Even if it means getting a little muddy, I’m all in for a learning environment that follows their wonder.
📣 SMALL MOMENT SPOTLIGHT
“You’re squeezing the farts out of me.”
When we say we’re like family, we mean it — sometimes silly, sometimes loud, always full of love.
A child recently asked for a squeeze, and the teacher obliged. What followed? A giggle and an honest, matter-of-fact: “You’re squeezing the farts out of me!” No one batted an eye.
As funny as it was, this moment also says a lot:
Comfort with their body
Trust in the grown ups around them
A culture where nothing about being human is shameful
From gas to giggles—it’s all part of the learning. These everyday moments help build a foundation of body confidence, self-awareness, and total acceptance.
🛠️ DIY
Normalize Bodily Functions
Even if not every environment embraces farts and hugs the way we do, you can set your own tone at home.
By talking openly (and without shame) about things like gas, poop, burps, and bodies, you’re giving your child the gift of body confidence and autonomy. When kids feel safe and accepted in their physical selves, they’re more likely to speak up, ask questions, and trust their instincts—for life.
Small shifts at home can make a big difference.
What do you do at home that embraces our human bodies?!
🌳🌊☁️🔥
Until next time,
Heather 💕
Founding Director, Elements Academy
If you’re ever interested in talking more about having your child attend Elements Academy or a child-led school like it (or even opening your own!) reach out any time. I read (and respond to) every single email. No ai bots in my email - just me, a real human, connecting with other real humans to talk about parenting and education. You can reach out to me any time — heather@elementsacademy.org