December is here. We are looking forward to spending time in the Capitol rotunda over the next few weeks. Our teachers will be scheduling field trips for the children to enjoy some of the holiday events in the rotunda. We are excited to continue this long-standing tradition at FUMP.
Taking the children into the Capitol building is a wonder unto itself. I know that several of our families have moved to Austin recently. Our Capitol dome is larger than the U.S. Capitol. I highly encourage you to walk over and visit our “neighbor.” If you haven’t done so, I’d like to take you on a little tour, through the eyes of your children and our teachers as they enjoy this gem of Austin.
While our children regularly play on the lawns of the Capitol, it is a special treat for us to enter the building. At the entrance, one cannot help but notice the attention to detail in the building, from the ornate doorknobs to the custom engraved hinges and more. From there, we wander into the rotunda, which awes and inspires children and adults alike. The scale of the dome and its decor compels us to pause and soak it in, gazing up at the interior dome. Even the floor designs highlight portions of Texas history. For most of our children, their enjoyment comes from being in such marvelous architecture. Only our oldest prekindergarteners begin to grasp the concept of our legislature, yet the early exposure to the accessibility our government carries on for them, as reported by our “alumni” students. We love that our program can provide this experience, right in our own backyard.
While we can tour the building at any time, the holidays provide a secondary enrichment opportunity for our children. Each day at noon, there is a musical performance, usually by high school, middle school or elementary students. Sometimes is it chorale groups or instrumental arrangements performing holiday tunes. It is an excellent opportunity to expose your preschoolers to older children participating in fine arts, and varying types of music. We have even reconnected with former students who are performing in the groups, as our teachers have such longevity in our program. It is a joy to see them as performers.
When you pause and reflect on our holiday tradition, the value is larger than one might think. We are so pleased to offer such a rich experience for your children. We would love for you to join us on our outing. We look forward to seeing you under the dome.