Through the eyes of a child
Saturday, April 27, 2013; 6:15 PM |
Was chatting with Karen the other day over dinner about an experience we had in class the other day.
Really dawned upon us, how sensitive children can be and how our words and actions have an impact on them.
Cody, one out of the three 4 year old triplet in our class started off the class choosing 4-5 long rolls and no short rolls to build his structure.. Both the teachers advised him to take some shorter rolls and to exchange some of the long ones for them.. He agreed with no fuss, or so it seems.. Through the entire first half of the class, he seemed to be out of sorts, distracted and working really slowly.. When the teachers talked to him, he would look away or stare blankly, and when we asked him what was wrong, he wouldn't answer.
Then, as if the switch went on in my mind, I looked at him and asked "Cody, is it because you wanted more long rolls?" He looked at me, eyes widened and nodded his head. I took two long rolls passed it to him and smiled as he gave a big smile. Cody was back!
How simple this seems, but yet it also reminded me of how easy it is for teachers to have missed out on the chance to listen to our child's needs, especially those who do not fuss.. Both teacher Karen and I realised how important that moment was for Cody, when his teachers realised what was upsetting him and told him that it was alright.. But what we didnt know as we were discussing this, was how important that moment was for us, because it brought us back to the basis of teaching, hearing and meeting out children's needs, not just through what we can see and hear, but with our hearts <3
Teaching, how meaningful.
Through the eyes of a child
Saturday, April 27, 2013; 6:15 PM |
Was chatting with Karen the other day over dinner about an experience we had in class the other day.
Really dawned upon us, how sensitive children can be and how our words and actions have an impact on them.
Cody, one out of the three 4 year old triplet in our class started off the class choosing 4-5 long rolls and no short rolls to build his structure.. Both the teachers advised him to take some shorter rolls and to exchange some of the long ones for them.. He agreed with no fuss, or so it seems.. Through the entire first half of the class, he seemed to be out of sorts, distracted and working really slowly.. When the teachers talked to him, he would look away or stare blankly, and when we asked him what was wrong, he wouldn't answer.
Then, as if the switch went on in my mind, I looked at him and asked "Cody, is it because you wanted more long rolls?" He looked at me, eyes widened and nodded his head. I took two long rolls passed it to him and smiled as he gave a big smile. Cody was back!
How simple this seems, but yet it also reminded me of how easy it is for teachers to have missed out on the chance to listen to our child's needs, especially those who do not fuss.. Both teacher Karen and I realised how important that moment was for Cody, when his teachers realised what was upsetting him and told him that it was alright.. But what we didnt know as we were discussing this, was how important that moment was for us, because it brought us back to the basis of teaching, hearing and meeting out children's needs, not just through what we can see and hear, but with our hearts <3
Teaching, how meaningful.
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