There Is No Other Job I'd Rather Do

than to teach young children.

I have had a very rough week.

It came to a point where I stepped out of the classroom 

(and left my poor, equally tired assistant with 13 three year olds, still adjusting to Nursery school)

to take a deep breath.

Sigh.

Then thoughts of finding another job came rushing through my mind.

Being a Preschool teacher isn't as easy as you think.

It's physical work -  It's hugging, comforting, carrying children when they need it. And, singing and dancing, jumping, crawling, skipping, running and playing.

It's also running across the playroom to be ready in case a child falls off a slide.

It's mental work - Planning activities that will facilitate learning in all aspects: physical, cognitive, socio-emotional, motor skills...

It's emotional work - Tuning in to the children's emotional needs and attending to them. Comforting new comers, creating rapport, adjusting to different personalities.

I closed my eyes tight, tears ran down my face....

and then I saw this, playing in my head.

And, there's nothing I'd rather be -

than to be Teacher Weena.

Would you do rather do something else?


Scoot over to Learning for Life for a list of reasons why preschool teachers think its the best job in the world.

Conquering The Slide

The children in the toddlers class seldom take on the 'big red slide' at the play area.

But once in a while someone would climb up and ask for assistance.

My assistant and I would ignore these requests and wait for what ever happens next.

They usually ask for help going back down the stairs again.

Today 'J' ( who is not quite 2 years yet) decided to climb up the stairs and sit at the top of the slide.

With her tongue stuck out, 'J'  carefully adjusted her position atop then called me, "Teacher!"

Then I said, "Go ahead and slide down, if you want to."

(pause)

(.......)

My assistant was watching the other children and occasionally glancing at 'J' on top of the slide.

I moved closer to the bottom of the slide and sat down.

"I can catch you, if you want."

(pause)

(.......)

Then she slid down.

And, she wanted to do it again. This time with me out of the way.

So she had a go with the slide again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

My assistant was describing how her face looked like while she slid down the first time.

I tried to describe it too but there were no words to articulate the way her face looked.

It was a mixture of reluctance with determination. fear with courage, doubt with triumph.

Her laughter was magic as she hugged me after I caught her when she slid the first time.

This is one of the reasons why the children need free play -  seriously.

Probably, if you asked these children what they want, it would be free play-the whole day.