Today at work I was able to share a first earthquake experience with the kids. We were eating lunch, and chatting away about farm animals when suddenly the whole room starts to shake. Ms. Toni looked questioningly over to me and I looked to the kids. They were all looking at me. (Maybe because I am in charge of putting together an emergency preparedness plan by fall. You think they know that? Later I told Ms. Toni that that earthquake was unscheduled. Emergency situations are not to occur until fall when I have all our plans worked out)
So we have a class full of 3 yr. olds experiencing their first earthquake. We calmly told them to crawl under the table. Little Carter, curious as he is, looks under the table and tells me there is nothing under there. Well by this time the quake is over. "that was the earth shaking. next time that happens we need to get under the table just in case things fall off our shelves" I told them. Kieren looked up at me in excitement and said "when will the earth wiggle again?!!"
Mean while next door in the Barnyard (4 yr. old) class children and teachers are screaming. Apparently Gabby had fallen off her chair Just before the quake and thought that either she caused the quake or that it threw her off her chair. Either thought is not a comforting one.
The Bear class never even felt it. They were stomping and dancing around when it happened.
All in all, the RCC early childhood development center survived the earthquake. Apparently though I have my work cut out for me with those plans. We had some teachers rushing outside, and others telling the kids to stand against the wall. (Best bet is under the table right?? I mean the ground is still shaking outside)
