tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post2112737510217286313..comments2024-03-26T07:07:14.304-07:00Comments on Teacher Tom: BaggageTeacher Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14606781724784785338noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-736117550837911072011-01-23T16:24:18.973-08:002011-01-23T16:24:18.973-08:00ah, yes, yes, yes.
on every level, yes.
and just...ah, yes, yes, yes.<br /><br />on every level, yes.<br /><br />and just returning from walking with my nearly 13 year old with her dark eyeliner through the grocery store, this is the post i needed to read.kristinhttp://preschool-daze.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-13278072685147623652011-01-23T14:52:38.449-08:002011-01-23T14:52:38.449-08:00Great Post. I also agree with the comments made by...Great Post. I also agree with the comments made by Floor Pie. My belief is that the effect of giving Pre-K's (and Middle Schoolers) opportunities to take healthy risks, is that it generates the kind of power that shapes decisions/ideas. Power can be a wonderful thing.<br />While we do have to learn how to live with disappointment and rejection, perhaps there would be a little less pain in the world if less children felt so insecure in it.Marla McLean, Atelieristahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12788200495569027489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-75536938964619168142011-01-23T11:46:06.765-08:002011-01-23T11:46:06.765-08:00Tom, thank you for this post, and the one yesterda...Tom, thank you for this post, and the one yesterday. You've articulated a lot of thoughts that have been floating around for me lately.<br /><br />The pre-K year is a big time for kids to experiment with power (whether it's exclusionary play or action/adventure play or whatever). It's their "senior year" of preschool. They've mastered a lot of the challenges around them, they know something bigger is coming next year. It's a natural time for things to go this way. <br /><br />Rather than try to tamp down the enthusiasm, I like the idea of trying to steer it in new directions. One day at The Boy's preschool, his teacher brought in a blender and the kids all made smoothies. It was a small thing, but amazing to see how the whole class broke from their usual cliques and routine and came together for this exciting new project. Another time, our pack of boys excavated a huge rock that had been buried deep in the sandbox. They were so proud and powerful, all working together. They even came up with a schedule for who would get to take the rock home each day.<br /><br />And, as I mentioned on your FB page yesterday, teaching empathy is key. It's the perfect companion piece to all this experimenting with power that they're doing. When we do compliments at circle time, the kids really get that concept. The challenge is for them to translate it to active play time...."Look at your friend's face. Is he happy? sad? scared? What can we do to help our friend feel better? What game would we both like to play?" <br /><br />Same with planning the pre-K play. "Who are some of our friends that will be in the audience? Would Sylvia be scared? Would this person or that person be scared? What sort of things do our friends like? Could we include some of the things they like in our play?" etc. <br /><br />It takes a lot of practice, but it sinks in. They get it. Sometimes it even becomes part of their experience of feeling powerful. (You should see The Boy puff up with pride when he does something thoughtful for his little sister.)Floor Piehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06533240227865369012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-964612747200811542011-01-23T09:30:32.645-08:002011-01-23T09:30:32.645-08:00You always have the most wonderful ideas to share....You always have the most wonderful ideas to share.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07874897254332872367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-8216851627415350792011-01-23T09:04:12.240-08:002011-01-23T09:04:12.240-08:00Like everyone, I have baggage. Like Hermione in Ha...Like everyone, I have baggage. Like Hermione in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, I mostly try and keep mine in a neat little clutch bag, that only opens occasionally when it needs a wee bit of sorting. I hope my clutch bag compliments and accessorises my personality nicely! LOL!Juliet Robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07035975039896986525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-82212834850563145952011-01-23T08:19:04.397-08:002011-01-23T08:19:04.397-08:00This is a great post, Tom! Thanks.This is a great post, Tom! Thanks.martha brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17897250180581262611noreply@blogger.com