There is this little at my school that is in his first year
of preschool. He is somewhat of a trouble maker and his preschool teacher doesn’t
know how to handle him. So just about every day he is being sent out of the
classroom. One of my colleagues though has learned how to calm him down and get
him to do as his teacher ask of him. I have noticed that Ms. Shockey doesn’t get
mad at Michael; she tries to do more comforting. Ms. Shockey always starts the
conversation by asking him what the problem was and asks him how he handled it.
She then proceeds to tell him that if he wants to attend school like his big
brother, that he is going to have to learn how to listen to his teacher. My
favorite thing to do when Ms. Shockey is having these conversations with
Michael are how calm and quiet. She never threatens him or seem to make him
feel embarrassed. She just talks to him, which seems to reach him better, then
when his teacher constantly yells at him.
I think the communication between Ms. Shockey and Michael is
very effective. It is almost like he knows that she is there to help him and
not get him into further trouble. She has opened up her arms and ears to him
and told him at anytime he needs a hug or just to talk to come and find her.
Just from the way Michael acts when he sees or converses
with Ms. Shockey, I know that she has made a positive influence on him. I think
even though Michael’s teacher doesn’t show a caring side with him, he knows that
Ms. Shockey does. She may have even provided a strong beginning in his career
in school. It seems as though he now knows that not every teacher is mean and
shows affection. He knows that there are nice, friendly and affectionate
teachers in the building.
The interaction that I see constantly between Ms. Shockey
and Michael remind me that some children may need more than just education when
they walk through your doors. They may also need extra special attention which
could consist of hugs, smiles and maybe even hand holding. I take the observation from these two and keep
it fresh on my “useful information” list I have.
This week I have learned that my passion for early childhood
truly is more than the lesson plans. I know this because seeing a child scarf
down 2 bananas and 2 milks because they didn’t receive dinner the night before
really makes me sad and strive to help these kind of children in any way
possible. Even if helping children mean coming out of my personal pocket to
provide a “snack closet” in my classroom. I want to be able to positively affect
every child I encounter in some way of fashion. I will listen to children not
only with my ears, but with my heart as well. I will do everything in my power
to be a positive outlet for the many different students I will come across.
Keisha
ReplyDeleteI think it is imperative that educators do not threaten children. Screaming and threatening children is demeaning, and tramples children’s self-worth. Children no longer feel respected, and respect is a critical ingredient to children emerging as a whole child. Thanks for sharing!
Keisha,
ReplyDeleteA sincere and calm voice is good for calming a child that is having a problem. Being aware of the needs of the children, such as the child that ate two bananas and two cups of milk, makes us as educators real live people to the children. Being an educator, we have to be aware of the needs outside of the classroom.
Thank you for your post.
Takeishalyn,
ReplyDeleteI can relate to this scenario, I use to work with a child that was labeled as a trouble child. I thought this is terrible to be only three years old and already being labeled as troubled. I just took the time to really get to know the child and we began to build a relationship as I learned his likes and dislikes and the things that upset him. Once I learned these things I began to formulate a plan of action that helped me to better handle him in a respectful manner. Soon after, his behavior began to change for the better and I continued to provide him with consistency.