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MLC Kindle
Sunflowers for Ukraine
Kristin Myers-Tapim, Director of MLC Kindle.
The sunflower wall is a bright symbol of hope and unity for the Kindle families and Staff.
In March of this year, MLC celebrated Global Citizens’ Week. At MLC Kindle, we saw an opportunity for the children to be active citizens and address the situation in Ukraine. In doing so we acknowledge the children’s right to truthful information about what’s going on in the world, whilst remembering too, the importance of ageappropriate language.
Across MLC Kindle, children were invited to create sunflower artworks and to contribute to our growing installation in the foyer. In the Ocean kindergarten class, the educators and children held a meeting around a table displaying all the children’s sunflower artworks. The children were encouraged to close their eyes and listen as teacher Natalie read them the story ‘The Message of the Sunflowers: A Magic Symbol of Peace’ by Georgianna Moore. Afterwards they had a brief and simple conversation where Natalie explained that the people of Ukraine are feeling sad right now. They are sad that war has returned to their country, but we can show our support by continuing to draw and paint sunflowers as symbols of peace and hope. As the children worked on their flowers, some of them made comments about the display and its effect on people who see it:
“If people are fighting, when people see the sunflowers, they will be best friends.” - Yumie
“People will feel happy, because they like sunflowers.” - Ari “People will think they’re beautiful (and feel) happy.” - Thomas “My family sees it and they feel soft. Calm.” - Harrison
It has been a true privilege to listen and watch as the children and their families engage with the growing installation of sunflowers as they exit the building each day. The children proudly point out their own sunflowers and that of their peers as well as discussing the peace that people would feel if they saw the wall.
These moments have given us further opportunities to reflect upon the evolving nature of MLC Kindle in the year which celebrates MLC’s 140th anniversary. We are proud of being part of the long tradition of serving others and the advocacy for children to be active citizens.
