“I’m talking to you and you are not listening to me” said Pranav, almost crying, while I was trying to resolve unexpected conflict between Rajesh and Amal who were in a second away to use a physical strength for a toy and while the other one was scribbling on the wall, where it’s not supposed to be.
This is the ordinary day of a kindergarten teacher: to solve all the conflicts in a peaceful and fair way, to make them understand what’s a good manner, give a paper to a child if it’s needed and be a good listener-friend. And everything at the same moment. Not a minute later.
Pranav accepted my apologies and request to get back to him, I asked two kids to have turns, explained and give a paper to Nimra. Pranav patiently waited for me and told me what he was doing yesterday.
“I came back home, ate nice food and go to sleep. Then I woke up, watched Youtube on Apple and ride a bicycle. I have a new one and it’s a blue color. I like cycling. After dinner, I was playing and then went to sleep on mat on the floor, because it’s very hot to sleep on the bed. I fell asleep with my Mommy.”
So descriptive and so precious, but to be priveleged to listen to this you need to gain the trust, be serious to their questions of exploring the world and don’t dare to laugh at this moment.
He is so small and so curious, his questions and the way he talks, what me feel like he is much older and mature in some way, than his peers. I’m just thinking aloud but what if he didn’t express his sadness and say that request. I could lose his trust and what about others who can’t express such words, did i lose their trust?!
We have so many things to do and manage in the class/home, that sometimes we don’t have time to just listen to our kids. To get to know them: what they like or don’t, what their favourite toy or what did they do in their free time.
I remember recently, one teacher told to one shiny smart girl “Are you an old woman, why are you still sitting?” The teacher didn’t mean to hurt her, she just tried to engage children. But it’s not even about the thing which you are telling to a baby of 4 years, but they way and intonation she used. You better see her, you can’t imagine that child’s face full of pain.
Please try to understand that children are tend to be sensitive. Each and everyone has its own personality. And I feel that teacher should first have some training, at least observe them, understand what and why they are doing that and then teach them whatever he/she wants.
I came, hugged her and sat next to her. Because I just simply knew her: she is a shiny full of energy and curiosity girl.She shared that she is just feeling tired, which is essential to the last period of class, especially after physical activities.
New generation children, they are different. They live in a completely new media environment than you or even your parents were living in. From 3 years old they differentiate between Panasonic and Samsung, even not being aware how to read. From 3.5 years they look for their “Apple” and watch Youtube with cartoons and podcasts. From 4 years old, they know who is Spiderman, Batman, Flash and believe in superpower. From 5 years they invent a game playing with keyboard to learn to differentiate letters.
Time flies and changes. You should try to learn the art of being teacher/parent, to change and be flexible too, in case you don’t want to hurt your most precious people in the world. Your children.
-Lunara
No comments:
Post a Comment