The sky s our limit Alicia Cormican Ashton, before you had even turned one you walked in through my classroom door and I knew you would have an amazing impact on both your peers and the practitioners that would be lucky enough to have you in their care over the coming years. With a permanent twinkle in your eye and a smile that could melt anyone s heart the impact you had on our classroom continued to grow as you did. By 18 months your leadership skills were extremely evident. As can be seen in the photo below, without the use of much language you became a conductor and led your friends as they sang miss Polly had a dolly using tins as instruments directing the bang of each tin. The fun you created left smiles spread from ear to ear on everyone s faces and it is a moment that I still remembered clearly as you walked through my classroom door three years later as a pre-schooler. I was delighted and knew we would have an exciting year ahead!! As I explained that I would have a week off as I was going on holidays you quickly became as excited as I was. You couldn t wait to hear all the details on how I was getting there once I informed you I was going on an airplane. You were intrigued asking are you flying with Ryanair or Aer Lingus? as I said Aer Lingus you told me good, because I seen on the telly that Ryanair were on strike, but I only went to Lanzarote on Ryanair before so you might want to get a Ryanair pilot to fly the Aer Lingus plane because they might not know how to get there. After quite an extended conversation it was obvious that your knowledge of airplanes was much greater than my own and was an area that we needed to explore as a group.
conversations and opportunities for imaginary play. You and Etienne began to construct amazing airports with Lego and detailed runways with traffic cones and lights along the sides. You explained this was for the pilots so they can see the runway for landing and takeoff. On my holiday the following week I picked up some airplanes that I could add to our existing transport toys and took a photo of every airplane I came across as I made my way through both Dublin and Arricefe airport. When I returned you and your peers were delighted with the new additions and they prompted great At large group that afternoon we decided to find out what the entire group knew about airplanes and were amazed with what you and your friends could share with us. Billy told us you need tickets and a passport to get on the airplane while Etienne jumped in and said and you need a suitcase and steps to get onto the plane too. Luke told us that the airplanes need wings and jets to fly. Ashton you explained that you have to go slow then really fast on the runway before you take-off to get up to the sky then the wheels come up until you land then they come back out again. Billy said I never knew the wheels went up, where do they go? Ashton you were able to explain they go up under the plane you can watch them from near the airport. This discussion then led to our first exploration. I got the crèche laptop and you, Etienne, Luke and Billy began watching airplanes landing and taking off in Dublin airport watching each element of the process very carefully. We then extended this to the wider group with a projector and projected the airplanes landing and taking off on the roof of our classroom. The entire group became involved, bringing our soft area to the centre of the room quickly becoming engrossed in what was playing out on the roof of our classroom.
As we watched the airplanes you and your friends identified the different airplanes with Billy pointing to a Ryanair plane saying, that s an Aer Finglas one there, I m getting that to my Mam and Dad s wedding!! while Alicja explained I got that Aer Finglas one to Poland too. Ashton, you explained that the airplanes were taxiing along the runway to take-off while Sasha said, there s no taxi on that runway, just airplanes, as you each shared your knowledge you all increased your awareness of airplanes, airports and flying. It was all very exciting. This experience led us to become very busy in making our own airplane. As a group you all decided that we would have an Aer Lingus plane with Ryanair wings, and so the construction began. In order to make the Aer Lingus plane Sasha said we need loads of green paint for everyone and Luke said we need white and blue for the Ryanair wings. Etienne carefully painted square outlines along the side he painted and told us they re windows so we can see out of the airplane. After great teamwork the outside of our plane was ready and we placed it outside to dry. Once the plane was ready it would be a while before we could get on as Ashton explained to everyone we have no tickets or passports or suitcases to get on the plane so we ll have to make them too. We asked what you would need to make these and Billy told us we need photos and our birthdays for a passport while Etienne exclaimed we need red paint to make a suitcase. Sasha quickly jumped in and said we need a blue sky too, with lots of clouds.
It very quickly became a busy week indeed. Myself and the other staff gathered materials for the following day and everyone became very busy making their necessities for our flight which acquired the name Flight 123. Before long everyone had their very own passport, boarding pass and suitcase. There was also a lovely blue sky with some colourful clouds ready for our flight. The following day our flight was ready to board. Ashton you reminded us we needed steps and so they were quickly assembled before we could successfully board our flight. I acted as the air hostess while you and your friends excitedly boarded our plane matching the seat numbers on your boarding passes to each of the numbers on the chair. Before long we were ready for take-off. We travelled to lots of different places on our airplane, Alicja ensured we flew to Poland while Etienne ensured we flew to France. As we were mid-flight Ashton you said I see some fish were over water while Billy exclaimed Look, look I can see an octopus. Ella Rose seen some cars while Alicja seen some really tiny houses. We all looked over the edge of our airplane taking in all the scenery along the way to both Poland and France. It was a fun filled and exciting flight that was then present in our classroom for the next few days!
After our exciting flight that took place in our classroom we knew a trip to the airport had to be next on the agenda. Thanks to Dublin Aerospace this became a possibility. Our trip to the airport soon became the most anticipated trip we have ever organised and we had to start counting down the sleeps each day within our classroom. The excitement in the classroom this morning before we left was truly amazing and I know myself and the other practitioners felt very lucky to be part of it all. Our bus brought us to Dublin Airport where you were each given your own security badge before making your way through security. Once everyone had their badge we made our way to hanger number 5, the look of awe as you each looked up at the large planes in front of us is an image I ll never forget. At that point I also had a smile from ear to ear. We were separated into two groups and made our way to two different planes. Ashton you and your friends excitedly made your way up the stairs onto the first plane. There were no seats on the plane and so there was plenty of room to look around and peer out the windows to see the wings and the engines. You described this as amazing.
We then made our way over to the second plane which was Aer Lingus. This one had seats which was even better, you all quickly jumped into them with the help of one of the crew, buckled up your seatbelts and took out your food trays. We then went into the cockpit where you and Sasha became pilots. Ashton, you sat in the pilot s chair, held an imaginary speaker up to your mouth and said, seatbelts on everyone, get ready for the safety announcement before take-off, we re going to taxi around this runway, ohh and there s no food yet you ll all have to wait until were high up in the sky. For them few moments you became a pilot in an actual cockpit, at 4 years of age one of your dreams came true right in front of us. I feel very privileged to have been a part of that. I know this is a memory and moment you will cherish forever and believe that one day you may become a real pilot and fly us all to much sunnier climates on a daily basis.
Today you and your classmates all enjoyed a truly memorable trip that I m sure you will each remember forever. This trip may not have happened without your input, leadership skills and love of planes. I m delighted that I have been lucky enough to care for you again this year, excited to see what the rest of the year brings and will cherish the memories you ve helped to create for you and all of your friends.