A Little Piece of Me

My love and dedication to children is my driving force.  In my professional career it seems that I attract the families of children who learn differently or are extremely spirited.  My experience has been with children with special needs or developmental delays.  I remember a few years ago our contracted Speech Therapist spoke to me about accepting a young child that was asked to leave the current childcare facility and their mother was at her wits end.  I scheduled a new parent interview and met with the mother.  She and the therapist painted a picture of a child with extreme aggressive behaviors, violent tantrums, and a speech delay.  The therapist thought that my school would work because of the work that I had done with some of her other clients.  I accepted the family on a trial basis.  One thing about me is that I do not judge children and I allow our relationship to evolve naturally.  I only deal with the behaviors exhibited in my presence.  When the child arrived, they were timid and withdrawn.😢  I could tell that the narrative that had been given to me was illustrated to them.  I showed the child around and allowed them to meet their new classmates.  I observed the child and the child that showed up was not the child that the mother and therapist prepared me to meet.  This child was loving but cautious.  The tantrums were limited and there was only one incident where the child behaved aggressively.  This child was loving but territorial.  However, there was no reason to single them out.  Like with their classmates, they were modeled appropriate behavior, and given the tools to resolve conflict.  They made friends, and became very social and happy.  Eventually, the child began to speak.
Now that the child is older, the behaviors of yesteryear are a blip and something we had to address in the toddler years.  I have watched this child thrive and master many of their fundamental skills and achieve their set goals.  😀 Every morning this child searches the entire building looking for me to greet me with the biggest hug.  And we tell each other that today is going to be a wonderful day.  I am glad that when everyone else saw a problem I saw possibility.   That is my approach.  Let children know they are perfect the way God made them.  Encourage them when everyone else want to be dismissive.  I never give up on children and I will never let them give up on themselves.  Together we will persevere.

Which leads me to my favorite childrens book.

Ever since I can remember, I have always searched for effective ways to communicate with children.  I use stories, poems, and plays to help children understand many different topics.  It was my third year working as the lead teacher in the 3 and 4 year old classroom that I developed a love and appreciation for Dr. Suess books.   I enjoyed how he handled complex ideas in an inadvertent way.  These books tackle typically difficult subjects such as bigotry, tolerance, and positive self image.
The Dr. Suess book that is my favorite of them all is
"Oh The Places You'll Go"

This book is all about encouraging children to push through adversity even when times are dark or they get scared.  This is a book about determination and believing in your abilities.  This is a book about perseverance, facing fears, celebrating accomplishments and accepting defeat.  As educators we have to help children understand that things will not always go their way and in the even it does not, they will be just fine.  If you have not read this book.  Take some time and enjoy!

"But on you will go

though the weather be foul

On you will go

though your enemies prowl

On you will go

though the Hakken-Kraks howl

Onward up many

a frightening creek,

though your arms may get sore

and your sneakers may leak.

On and on you will hike

and I know you'll hike far

and face up to your problems

whatever they are".

This quote by Benjamin Franklin speaks to my approach to teaching young children.  

We all can attest to having to repeat the same things to small children over and over and over again.  It can be extremely frustrating.  But lets think about what it is all about.  Who likes to be talked at?  I sure do not.  Often times adults talk at children and bark orders, or rules at them and expect them to remember.  Of course they don't, who could blame them?  I have learned that let's make them a part of the experience.  When they are an active part of the conversation or the creation of anything, they willing remember even the tiniest of details.  It can make a daunting task so much easier.  This quote speaks to the children being an active participant in their educational journey.  We can make it dreadful or exciting.