At the store, running some errands, I notice the cashier looking at me a little curiously. I smile back at him and he gives a little chuckle. I smile again and am a little confused…then I realize I have a wiggly eye stuck on my shirt and a dash of marker on my arm. Oh the joys of teaching young children! I tell the cashier “Paint, markers, wiggly eyes and glue. My day would not be complete if I did not have one of these on my clothes at the end of the day. “
When working with young children you have to be as excited about what you are teaching them as you want them to be excited about learning. You have to immerse yourself in their world, and remind yourself constantly about how it is to experience things for the first time. Time to paint? Let’s create! The Leaves are changing colors? Time to get excited about them and use a nature walk as a way to teach the children about the difference in colors, shapes and types of leaves. A daddy-longlegs crawling in the grass? Oh I take the time to watch it and find a way to gently place it elsewhere to keep it safe. (If only the children knew Miss Laura was not this brave in “real life”!) It is all about experiences for young children, and building on these experiences to create their view of their world.
So, the tools of my trade are paint, markers, wiggly eyes and glue. I use them to help facilitate learning, exploring and growing. Take some time to think about your tools of the trade. Even if you do not have young children in your life. Take the time to see how you use them to affect change or help people in your daily life. Do what you love and love what you do!
