Sometimes life takes turns we do not expect and our
priorities have to shift in order to care for our families. I experienced that this summer in more ways
than one causing me to neglect one of my passions-this blog. Things have somewhat settled down a bit and I
am anxious to get back to communicating with others about learning through
play.
One of the big life changes this summer was dropping my
oldest daughter off at college for the first time. When she was in preschool someone once told
my husband and I that before we knew it we’d be dropping her off at
college. We had a hard time believing
that thought…until we blinked and we were doing just that!
As we drove home following one, two, seven last hugs
goodbye, and my mind started turning to preparing my preschool classroom for
the start of the school year, I reflected on how so many of the skills I was
confident that my daughter had and would use starting college were also my
focus with my preschoolers.
Julia, my daughter, is equipped with the skills needed to
make new friends. She can enter a room
full of strangers and emerge with acquaintances, and more often, friends. Making eye contact, commenting on an activity
someone is doing, offering to help and asking questions are just a few of the
strategies people use to make these connections. These personal and social skills are a large
focus of our time in the preschool classroom.
Julia has learned to be a problem solver. She can attack a situation with more than one
solution and also understands the value of asking for help. When classes are scheduled incorrectly or
printer connections do not work or a bank card is lost, she will be able to
navigate these situations. So much of
our time in the preschool classroom is spent looking at ways to solve problems
whether it is how to get a toy someone else is using to getting a block
building to stand up to getting a large drawing to fit inside a small
backpack. Giving children the time,
space and support to solve these problems without solving them for them develops
this self sufficiency needed for college life and beyond.
Julia has learned the value of trying new things and taking
risks. She has also learned that failure
is not the end. Trying out for new
sports teams, investigating new clubs and managing the disappointments that can
come along with tryouts and interviews are invaluable abilities. We nourish and foster these parts of
development in young children in the preschool classroom. We give them endless opportunities to try new
things. We scaffold their learning so
they can succeed and encourage them to take risks within reason learning the
consequences of their actions. Taking
all risk away from the young child and allowing them to experience only limited
activities due to our own fears will not allow these abilities to
flourish. We all must learn to try,
possibly fall, but to get up and try once again.
Julia has learned to value of play. She knows the relaxation and rejuvenation
that follows time spent in recreation activities. She knows that an important part of her time
management is scheduling activities such as sports or art or laughing with
friends. Children raised in settings
where play is valued learn that this time is not wasted and often the best
ideas are conceptualized during play.
Julia has learned the joy of learning. She is excited to take challenging classes
and learn from others. She has positive
feelings associated with learning. This
is one of the biggest goals I have as a teacher. I wanted my students to become life-long
learners. To wonder, form questions, seek
answers and share their knowledge discovered.
My job is not to fill their brains with facts and figures…it is to
ignite the spirit of investigation and to share strategies for accomplishing
their goals.
As I drove away from the college campus, and in the weeks
that have followed, I felt confident in my daughter’s abilities to thrive in a
university setting away from her home and family and was once again inspired to
get back in to the preschool classroom to begin the important work of inspiring
problem solving, friend making, risk taking life-long learners.
Bravo! Well said and what a great perspective to bring to the preschool classroom.
ReplyDeletegreat ideas, you may also visit
ReplyDeletehttps://kidsgrooming.org
I do so relate. My daughter is finishing her senior year, has been accepted at the college of her choice and I am being driven mad by all the "need to do" things that keep popping up everywhere. Of course my boy is only ten so I feel nationalistic while wondering if I can figure out better ways to spend time with him.
ReplyDeleteAt first it was one, then came number and things got easier - go play with your sister, go play with your brother. But now he is going to be alone - the second child is going to feel like a lonely with out his big sis. And mom and dad are going to have to go back to being the main attraction.
I have such situation and share for sharing your thoughts! :)
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