tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post5320830520584628863..comments2024-03-26T07:07:14.304-07:00Comments on Teacher Tom: Mister Roger's NeighborhoodTeacher Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14606781724784785338noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-91774379243011991742018-02-21T00:41:23.644-08:002018-02-21T00:41:23.644-08:00I had a complicated pregnancy with my first baby, ...I had a complicated pregnancy with my first baby, with multiple hospital stays for a couple of nights each time. I'd already been an educator with babies for a couple of years, and I was good, but part of my experience with a complicated baby honed those skills significantly. And the first thing that changed, was in noticing the difference inside myself with how I was greeted by the nurses when I was stuck in hospital. <br /><br />The nurses on the ward would come in the door, they were just doing their job, the same bland routine that they just wanted to get done so they could do the same again for the next mother on the ward. And then my birth centre midwives would visit me, and they'd step in the door and smile, and they'd use my right name rather than the name on the paperwork. They were sincerely happy to see me, every time, and it made an enormous difference.<br /><br />So I have adopted the same. I greet every child, every day, with a smile, and I tell them I'm happy to see them, and it's true. I mean it every time. Even when they're a child who seriously challenges my patience. I'm happy to see them, to see their family, to welcome them into this space we share. I use their preferred name and strive to pronounce it right. When I change a nappy we chat, we play games, I pull faces and talk them through what I'm going to do next as a matter of respect. <br /><br />It's such a humanising thing. A personal greeting. I am happy to see you. I want to connect with you as a person I care about. I care about who you are, and I want you to know that I enjoy your company and you're safe and loved here. I am happy to see you <3 Pixiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08711387263388968923noreply@blogger.com