Encouraging independence, building self- confidence & self-esteem

I have two girls who both attend St Mary's French Immersion - they are a year apart in school. My eldest is in grade one and my youngest is in year two and a part of the outdoor learning project in Mme Francella Stephen's class. I think one of the key differences I note is the excitement for school that comes from being a part of this program - the class is always engaged in some sort of cool project, or headed for a field trip and for Lauren this makes her look forward to being a part of things and I think she feels a real part of her classroom and all the excitement. Both of my girls struggled somewhat in the transition from daycare to kindergarten and I think for Lauren she was kept busy and engaged in learning...so even if she lacked the close friends she had had in day care she felt really a part of the larger classroom community and seemed to make a smoother transition. Being a part of this program as a parent has changed my parenting style. I am less likely to look for something to do.....or to plan an activity, and as a family we are just 'being' outside more. I am beyond impressed how my girls can take objects found in nature and create whole imaginative play scenarios and keep themselves busy for long periods of time. They have created a whole imaginary playground behind our garage....with logs, a piece of gutter and ferns. Lauren is a lot more confident in her physical body and I attribute this in her participation in the program. She is very coordinated in her gross motor skills and knows her limits safety wise. This has enabled me to feel okay with letting her push her limits a little when we are outside in not be a helicopter parent shouting 'be careful' or 'don't do that'. Lauren is able to do this for herself and this is encouraging her independence and building her confidence/self esteem. In terms of documentation, the team uses Seesaw and I just love how it is used in the classroom. It has been a bit of an evolution over the year and a half we have used it. But initially I just loved that I could see what they were doing. In daycare you see the educators everyday and you get a little story or a comment on their day. When Rachel entered kindergarten it was a huge loss for me as a parent - I had no idea what was going on in the classroom and Rachel was too little to communicate to me what was going on. I felt worried as a parent and very disconnected. When Lauren entered kindergarten I was immediately sent pictures and videos of her participating in the class. It gave me an idea of what she was doing and I felt more assured as a parent. Even though, as a working mom, I don't often get to connect with Trisha or Stephanie very often face to face or via phone I feel very connected to them and the classroom. This year I have been using it as a tool to communicate with Lauren about her day. Bring our conversation beyond "I played" and talking about the pattern she was making, the tree she climbed or the work she was doing in her duotang. On a personal note, I felt so much better seeing the work that Lauren was doing in her duotang. She is not yet a 'traditional' learner like my older daughter was. So I am so much more confident as a mom that she was be ready for grade one. Thanks, Steph, Parent