Monday, July 2, 2012

what have I learned this year from my class this year? First I learned that everything cannot be perfect. I learned that when I tell my children it is okay to make a mistake because mistakes just show us what we have to learn. I have to take my own advise. I found myself telling children to take a chance, not be scared to try something new, and that it is okay if they are not good at it at first. I have to learn to follow my own advice. Second I learned that children want to help and care for others. They learn to comfort others by seeing comfort. the students in my class saw a particularvELL studnet that needed extra help and on their own started a kind of support group for him. when he got something right they would call him by name and tell him what a great job he had done and how smart he was. Many of them would stop by his table when he was working and tell him how wonderful his work was and that he was such a good writer or reader. This student blossomed by the end of the year because of all the encouragement. When he read the others helped and encouraged him by acknowledging how much he had grown. I was so proud of this group. they gave this support to others as well. they supported another little girl in our room that needed guidance to transition from one activity to another. At times different children would hold her hand and guide her speaking so kindly to her as they helped her get to the right center or get in line. I grew even more proud when they embraced a special needs child who became part of our class everyday for math. They welcomed her into our class and took turns bringing her into their group work without reminders from me. This group of children took the sense of community we developed to heart and worked together through good and not so good. they never questioned the special adaptations given to some children. they seemed to know that they would be supported with what they needed as well. I learned what big hearts children have and how accepting they are. Third I learned that even children that are only 5 live lives they should not have to at this early age. they survive they best can and my job is to be their advocate and make school a safe and wonderful safe haven where they are loved. I learned that I have to take the time to listen so I know what they need and I am able to find all the resources they need to be able to be happy learners. Last I learned that you have to build a whole lot of fun and play into your day. when the kinders are happy the teacher is happy! When the kinders are happy they grow and learn :0)

5 comments:

  1. Community. Building relationships. I love this stuff. Welcome to blogging.

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  2. Such wise words - "to take our own advice" - life is reflected in our kindergarten classrooms so well. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

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  3. I so enjoyed reading this. It expresses how knowledge is not something we keep tucked in our pocket, but rather it is what gets made within the group and between people. Thanks.

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  4. I love that you wrote about "taking your own advice". It takes a lot of courage to do the things we tell others to do. It shows that we really believe what we are saying. :)

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  5. Beautiful post Patty! The generosity and kindness of children is certainly humbling! We are fortunate to be witnesses. You are so right that so many have already faced such incredible challenge at the tender age of five. It's so good you are there to catch them, know them and create the wonderfully supportive and stable world of school for them.

    And Congratulations on your first post!

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