tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post145766072319509272..comments2024-03-26T07:07:14.304-07:00Comments on Teacher Tom: When We Finally Accept The Truth About PlayTeacher Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14606781724784785338noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-83344456421028709282013-10-08T18:42:31.976-07:002013-10-08T18:42:31.976-07:00As Teacher Tom quoted above "play is practice...As Teacher Tom quoted above "play is practice" It sounds like what these children need at your school is more time to practice social skills. they won't ever learn to interact without time for practicing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-64138374399341862812013-10-08T06:33:23.634-07:002013-10-08T06:33:23.634-07:00Thanks Tom for pointing out that most families can...Thanks Tom for pointing out that most families cannot homeschool or unschool. We need to keep working for good schooling. It can be done (I know first hand). School can be a place of joy and learning but we have to decide first what we want for our children. Judi Packhttp://www.thinkingaboutkids.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-62465381423244067452013-10-07T20:48:03.606-07:002013-10-07T20:48:03.606-07:00Thanks again for another beautiful post!
One r... Thanks again for another beautiful post! <br /> One reason that play is successful in your preschool is that there is a low student to adult ratio. I am finding it much more challenging to support play in the environment I'm teaching in because there are so few adults. About a quarter of my students have very poor social skills, and need so much help in order to be successful playing collaboratively. When they play with others they forget to use their words and they tend to grab, push, call names, and melt down. And these are children that are almost 6. These are not 2 and 3 year olds. I am trying to be a positive role model and model kind and gentle play behaviors. I am trying to help children to see how someone's face looks when he/she has been hit or had a toy grabbed for instance. I am hoping the children will develop more empathy. None of us is perfect and we make mistakes. I'm not expecting the children to be perfect, but I do know that an extra adult or two would be very helpful in helping to support positive interactions among the children.<br /> In the current economic climate schools are operating on shoestring budgets. Many schools are fortunate to have community members and parents that volunteer. Sadly however, a basic education is basic. There are few frills. Paid personnel are limited. <br /> My version of a truly wonderful school system is one that has a low student to adult ratio, and that supports students' individual learning interests. Moreover the schools would be loaded with frills such as arts specialists, field trips, and science labs.<br /> I always remember a sweatshirt my husband gave me in the 80's that stated, "It will be a great day when the military has to have a bake sale to buy a bomber and schools have all the money they need."<br /> In the mean time....we dream and work towards that better educational future which includes more play!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-72972599906662601322013-10-07T20:24:57.968-07:002013-10-07T20:24:57.968-07:00Wow, I've just read your last 3 posts (from Lo...Wow, I've just read your last 3 posts (from Louis CK up), and I'm just loving each of them! Thank you for writing what you do. It's reassuring to know that there are people out there practicing what I preach. A few years ago I was in the classroom, putting the 8 year old noses to the grindstone, and knowing that what I was doing was wrong. I tried my best to follow my teacher rules but still inspire, give time for creation, allow play, give choices, but I just didn't have the courage, experience, and certainty to buck the system. I'm home with my three kids now, but going back to the classroom at some point down the line. There's no way I could go back and do what I did before. I refuse to teach that way. I don't want traditional school for my own children, so why would I want it for the children I teach? Hopefully when that days comes I will be in a school that agrees with me, or find a way to balance the needs of children with the demands of the system. Maybe I'll just start my own school. :)<br /><br />Thank you for inspiring me.Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07563787347029940860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-6664056282966899002013-10-07T18:53:56.692-07:002013-10-07T18:53:56.692-07:00Last year the preschool she attended and the teach...Last year the preschool she attended and the teacher she had were perfect for her. She was allowed to be her caring, loving, creative self. She lOVED school. Lots of free play time! She always gravitated towards making things and doing crafts.<br /><br />She started Kindergarten this year and I have cried many times. I am loosing my loving, caring, creative child. She is changing. I think it's a mixture of things, bad fit with the teacher, too much structure, and other kids.<br /><br />I really do wish that I was able to homeschool her.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com