One of the many unique aspects of Benilde-St. Margaret’s is the child care program known as Little Knights. This program takes place in the north building here at BSM. There is much more to this program than most may think.
Lead Little Knight classroom teachers Gretchen Sandberg and Heidi Wolf are two very involved members of the program. When asked about a day-to-day schedule in the Little Knights department, Wolf’s response shows us each day looks a little different. “I don’t think there’s an average day. I think every day is new and exciting. Typically, I think we have a big block of time where they get to choose what they want to work on. And we have set up the environment so that there’s a lot of interesting things and all the different areas of development for them to choose… outside is always a big part of our day. So we go outside in all weather, rainy, snowy, or muddy,” Wolf said.
As Little Knights, they accomplish a lot during the day. From games to nap time, the Little Knights are constantly learning and improving both themselves and their relationships with peers. “My favorite thing is watching them build relationships where the little ones are showing the big ones things and the big ones are showing little ones things. I’ve learned so much from it,” Sandberg said.
One thing that makes the Little Knight program unique from other childcare programs, is the fact that they have regular opportunities to interact with the students that attend BSM. They do things like pass out valentines and perform songs at Christmas mass. “I think it’s the context of our program in this community that’s really so special. Having opportunities to have ninth-grade reading buddies or interns work with us or just the simple walking through the halls and saying hello to the big knights. They think that it’s so special to be here and I think they bring a smile to everyone’s face,” Wolf said.
As the program varies from ages one to five years old, the Little Knights get to experience being both on the younger and the older side of things. “They are like a little family. The ones that don’t have siblings, they have siblings here,” Wolf said.
The Little Knight department is blessed with such passionate and involved teachers. This makes a huge difference and heavily impacts the children and the flow of the program. “I always loved and wanted to work with children and I’ve been doing it for about 20 years…and it’s been the best decision I ever made,” Sandberg said.
Wolf explains how not only does she teach the Little Knights but also learns a lot from them as well. “[The Little Knights] know the places [around the school] and they observe so many things that we take for granted. Just the simple things like a brand new flower or a dandelion growing in the grass. When you see it through their eyes, it’s so magical to remember that something that we take for granted is so new to them,” Wolf said.
Overall, the Little Knights program has a lot to it and more layers than most may know. “[The Little Knights department is] incredible and magical and messy and crazy and all of the things,” Sandberg said.
Sandra Burwell • Apr 26, 2024 at 1:21 pm
I have been involved in Early Childhood Education for over 50 years and the context of Little Knights within a junior/senior high school is exceptionally authentic. The learning is amidst a strong community of joy. There is no true learning without relationships. I am amazed and impressed at the rich and wide variety of experiences open to the Little Knights. Benilde-St. Margaret’s is to be commended for offering this privilege to the staff and their families.