Hi, I'm Greg & I am an Early
Childhood Teacher from Australia. I write a blog called Males in Early Childhood
which you can find by clicking here.
.....have children produce perfect replicas of a set design so that your wall displays look fabulous, or leave children to create how their imagination and abilities enable them?
.....get to the end of the day relieved that nothing went wrong, or regret that the day is over as you've embraced all the highs and lows?
.....ensure the children keep out of the dirt, paint and other substances that might soil their beautiful clothing, or encourage them to be hands on with all that they do and celebrate that their beautiful work is evidenced by their soiled clothes?
.....have children remain quiet and listen to you because you're the teacher and you're the boss, or have them want to listen to you because you always have interesting things to say?
.....the difficult child/ren have a 'good' day so that it's not too stressful for you, or be the one that enables those same children to be the best they can be?
.....parents and colleagues ask you why you teach the way you do, or have those same parents and colleagues ask you how you teach the waay you do?
.....regulatory authorities were happy with your methods, or that those authorities held you as a glowing example of best practice?
.....receive a compliment from an inspector, or a child?
.....stick with what you know as it's worked up until now, or continue to change and evolve in order to be the best you can be?
I asked similar questions on my own blog recently. These are all simple questions with seemingly simple answers, yet if we don't ask them of ourselves from time to time how can we hope to grow and develop as individuals and as professionals?
.....have children produce perfect replicas of a set design so that your wall displays look fabulous, or leave children to create how their imagination and abilities enable them?
.....get to the end of the day relieved that nothing went wrong, or regret that the day is over as you've embraced all the highs and lows?
.....ensure the children keep out of the dirt, paint and other substances that might soil their beautiful clothing, or encourage them to be hands on with all that they do and celebrate that their beautiful work is evidenced by their soiled clothes?
.....have children remain quiet and listen to you because you're the teacher and you're the boss, or have them want to listen to you because you always have interesting things to say?
.....the difficult child/ren have a 'good' day so that it's not too stressful for you, or be the one that enables those same children to be the best they can be?
.....parents and colleagues ask you why you teach the way you do, or have those same parents and colleagues ask you how you teach the waay you do?
.....regulatory authorities were happy with your methods, or that those authorities held you as a glowing example of best practice?
.....receive a compliment from an inspector, or a child?
.....stick with what you know as it's worked up until now, or continue to change and evolve in order to be the best you can be?
I asked similar questions on my own blog recently. These are all simple questions with seemingly simple answers, yet if we don't ask them of ourselves from time to time how can we hope to grow and develop as individuals and as professionals?
wow, this is great. i know what i want to do! not my preschool class but my sunday school class, i told them that there was some bad news (it was that summer vacation was soon over) and one of the kids said "what? you won't be here?". that's my idea of a compliment from the right people!
ReplyDeleteSpot on Mekei. I know we need to ensure regulators are happy with what we a re doing, but if the children and their families love it that's good enough for me.
DeleteGreat thoughts, Greg! It's so true that we have to question our practices, change, and evolve if we're going to be the best that we can be - in any area. :) Deb @ LivingMontessoriNow.com
ReplyDeleteThere are so many questions we can ask ourselves Deb. It's being prepared to ask them and answer honestly that's the hardest part.
DeleteI love this! I think I shall post this in our teachers lounge for all our teachers to enjoy and reflect upon. Thanks, Greg for wise words and the reminder to reflect on our practice! :)
ReplyDeleteYou mean I'm going to be published by the Houuse of Ayn? What an honour!
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