It happened.

I definately shouldn't have mentioned that little FYI on the last post.  Although it doesn't pertain to that child directly, it instead resulted in absolute chaos Tuesday morning.  Scenario:

• 1 parent stating their child is anxious in large groups therefore she (the mother) is staying for the class.  May I add, she didn't ask.  She told.  When told she can stay about half way and then go, the response back was "We'll see".  This parent is also a child psychologist.
• 2 children crying for over 40minutes.  This resulted in being sent home.
• 1 parent indirectly blaming me as to why their child 'freaks out' everytime they come here and insisting "SOMETHING MUST HAVE HAPPENED" over and over again.  This same child ended up crying throughout the whole class, even though the nanny stayed.  And even though she stayed, she didn't make him join in any aspect of the routine.  What was the point of her being there then?  Your guess is as good as mine.
• 1 child cried as his mother tells him "So, Mommy is not allowed to stay at preschool" and bursting into tears.  30 seconds later - his mother tells me he's crying because he's had a cold and he's not over it.  She took him within five minutes of being at the school.
• 1 child JUST diagnosed with Autism.  I don't need to say anymore.
• Circle time consisting of crying from three more children because they saw the other two. 
• Any opportunity for lining up, resulted in several domino effects.
• Snot, boogers, snot, boogers, snot, snot, snot, boogers.
• Me - losing my marbles.
• My teacher assistant - also losing her marbles
• Our parent volunteer that day - deep breathing and big swags of coffee for the first hour.

This class is back tomorrow morning.  Two hours have never felt so long.  I doubt tomorrow is going to be any better.  Sigh.

Week two: full steam ahead!

With staggered entry done as well as the first full week of all students attending together in their classes, I feel it can only get better from here in terms of work itself.  After several emotional breakdowns from both the students and their parents (and my own by Tuesday night), it really can only get better.. Right?

As a professional, you can only stay positive and optimistic because both children and adults are depending on YOU for a positive experience at preschool.  Personally, however, in order to stay positive and optimistic for a positive outcome, that may involve a glass of wine or two at the end of the day.. And maybe even the whole bottle by Friday night.  But trust me, if you have parents relying on you, then you must be saying something right, as this is when they are most vulnerable.  And, if you are getting those kids to laugh and play and smile, then hell, you have definately done something right.

I also started to new things with my older classes this year which so far seem to be successful.  One in particular, is geared towards building empathy and I've decided to call it "Feelings Friday".  Every Friday, my older students are introduced to a 'social development' element - feelings, peer pressure, decision-making, bullying, peer relationships, etc.  This week was about "Let's Talk it Out" and discovering alot of problems that occur between friends at preschool is because of having to share.  By providing a real-life situation using real student names, we 'talked out' the problem adn realized how important sharing really is.  One class even reflected onto how talking problems out with their siblings would be better and more sharing would happen (YES!)!  The conversation was great and you could see the wheels turning in their little heads.  Satisfactory?  Oh, I think so!

Needless to say, although it was somewhat the week of Hell, it was also the week of new beginnings and already, new achievements.

So, my fellow preschool teachers - good luck on this upcoming week.  Not only are you starting to get to know them and their families now, but they are about you as well!  And don't worry, you're not the only part-time wine drinker out there.  I'm also part-time beer drinker as well ;)

FYI..

On a side note, I'm sure some of you have wondered since a posting or two ago, about the student who I was..needless to say, having some difficulty with and scared for the upcoming school year.  Well, after a week, nothing really to report!  Granted, they are like you're average two and a half year old - little sharing, little patience, little attention span.  But overall, the behaviours have been quite settle and amen to that. 


..And knowing my luck and stating all of the above, I have probably jinxed it..!

There's always ONE.

As the preschool staggered entry week is coming to an end, up until this morning, I was striking gold in terms of 'great' kids.  'Great' meaning well-behaved, positively following through in the class routine, settling into the new environment, getting along with their peers.  This morning, that delighfulness came to an end.  And in a nutshell.. I've met my match.

Profule of the kid: climber, pusher, non-listener, non-disciplined, does not take 'no' as an answer, unwilling to share, loud, disruptive, holds an attention span of two seconds (seriously, I wouldn't exaggerate).. and comes from a family of three older siblings who are the exact same way.  However, I taught the second youngest, and they definately weren't as difficult as the younger sib. 

Of the seven years using the phrase with children "look at my nose" in order to get to them to look at me when I'm talking to them, I got told "I DON'T FEEL LIKE LOOKING AT YOUR NOSE."

Oh yeah.....  That happened.

Even after a conversation with the child's parent, the response on reporting the type of behaviours that occured, was "Do what you need to do; I'll agree to any consequence you give her!"..


Last time I checked, my job descripton didn't include 'parenting'. 

Let's move onto year #3

Between now and the last time I posted on preschool teacher stories, both personally and professionally, alot happened.  To make a long story short, year #2 end quite well and approvingly fast enough for me.  By the end of June, I was thoroughly exhausted as so many events happen (parties, Graduations, more parties).  You really do get burnt out quicker than you think.  And when it hits you, you then realize why you get two months off during the year. 

Now that it's September again, here I am.  Ready to report to my fellow readers - all about year number three!  More importantly, not only will my entries pertain to the little people and the teaching moments I will remember for life, but also new developments on an opportunity I onced mentioned about joining.

First Days
This week for many preschools is the start of the school year and will typically mean "Staggered Entry" week.  Classes are split up into smaller groups during class time and scheduled to come only once during this specific week.  A parent asked me today what's the point of it; one word: transition.  As it may a child who is returning to preschool, may not find this difficult it at all.  But believe it or not, even returners can get shy and unsure about why they're back and being left behind after two whole months of 24/7 constant care under their mother's eye.  For the Newbie, so those who are just starting their preschool/educational journey, this is a very important week to have happen.  Firstly, it's a new environment FULL of NEW people, NEW surroundings, and NEW rules.  I can only imagine what their (the kid) thought process is like: What do you mean I have to share?, What is SHARE?!, Why do I have to listen?  WHY ON EARTH IS MY MOTHER LEAVING?!  With so much to adapt too, starting in small groups is the best way to conquer the fears as they get to know their teachers, less intimidated by their new peers, and.. they can relax.

The transition week is also good for the parents too, although I swear September is definately one of those months that they really appreciate you.  For returning parents, it sets in a good routine again.  Hell, I'm glad to be back at work because its giving me routine again.  For the Newbies', they become introduced to a new routine that can be benefical for themselves and not just their children.  A break from the family can lead to positive things - more 'calm and collected', tackling errands child-free, taking care of the self whether it's hitting the gym or even taking a nap.  By embracing such opportunities and using them to the advantage, Mom starts to feel better about life in general and it creates a rippling effect.

And crying..?  Yes, it happens to everyone, including Moms' and Dads'.  I highly recommend the Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn.  I have read it for three years straight now on the first day of school as it reflects exactly on how a child may feel about going to school for the first time.  A young raccoon sharing his fears about school to his mother, and his mother responding with a sweet solution with a teary-choked up ending.  This book came out in 2003 and has branched into a small series on other topics such as bullying and death.  Check it out.

 

 

 

Accreditation

So last time I wrote here, I mentioned the situation between preschools and accreditation - a specialized funding program the Government of Alberta has created for daycares, out of school care, and day homes.  I had also mentioned that a Calgary Preschool Teacher's Association I became a part of, was looking for people to advocate and lobby the idea that preschools should be entitled to accred. as well. 

 

Since then, not only have I signed on with a group of Preschool-based professionals but are now in the midsts of creating templates, mission statements for our group, and our chair is making waves with names that are must to have us get started on this journey.  Our next group meeting isn't till the end of the month.  But how quick that all came together! I don't expect miracles to happen within the next six months because there is just no way of it.  However, I do plan on working towards the expectation and the ability to say, "Preschools and their teachers receive accreditation too."