Welcome Readers :)

Welcome readers !
Thank you for visiting 'Inside the child' and hope that your time spend reading my blog is educational. It includes my thoughts and approach to a child, based on the Montessori educational philosophy that emphasize on independence, freedom within limits and learning concepts of working with materials hands-on, rather than by direct instructions.

My favorite quote by Dr. Maria Montessori “There is in every child a painstaking teacher, so skillful that he obtains identical results in all children in all parts of the world. The only language men ever speak perfectly is the one they learn in babyhood, when no one can teach them anything!”
As a Children's House Montessori teacher, it is my pleasure to share my experience with children of ages 2 1/2 - 7 yrs old, and how small little things makes a big difference. Enjoy reading. Thank you.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Getting ready for the first day of preschool - Part 2

image taken by me and while I was clicking, I simply thought of children. Aren't children like these buds ?!
In part 1, I talked little bit about how to help older children get ready for their preschool. Now, I will share my experience with younger children or children who had never been to school before. Yes, it is their literally the first day of preschool. 

As I mentioned before that it is the hardest part of being a teacher, to develop that trust in a child at the first sight. I think it was easy for me as I strongly believe in the love and I had that privilege to be in it with some children. It is so true that a child is all about love, trust, purity and most of all communication. I had always seen in a child's eyes the thirst to express and talk. It's hard to see this though because every child is unique, for example - I remember once, it was also my first day as a teacher, one child would not leave his mom and come inside the classroom. He was fine on the orientation day but like I said, 1st day of school is always special. It was hard to get him into the classroom. What worked with him was my low and gentle voice with loads and loads of trust

Some tips that can possibly help children transition from home to school are communicating, reading, loving and building trust trust and more trust. It's a long life you have go with them. Unfortunately, for us - teachers, we have to save every moment spend with them. Those memories are like jewels saved for life ! I love and cherish every moment spend with all my students. It is hard because then they leave or sometimes I move to a different place, I guess, there is something called just do your karma. No, I just don't do it but cherish each moment of it! I think that's the beauty of life and living it - beautiful memories !
During the summer time, when you get that chance to be with your child, talk about different places to visit, for example- cabins, beaches, museums and then come school ! I am sure most of the parents must be doing this. It is nicer to keep talking about this, since you are building the curiosity in their minds. You can talk about everything about the world and they'll love it.

Read them books about school, friends and learning new things. This link will take you to all those books that can be a great help communicating your message. I personally love 'The Kissing Hand' by Audrey Penn, the must must have book in every home. And, I have seen lots of mothers doing this with their children before they leave, it seriously works ! 

The transition is tough only for that moment, and it becomes much easier gradually. One thing that helps is when parents and teachers connect with each other. See, the logic behind this is simple, children trust parents, it is a bridge of trust that is build between the teacher, school and parents, or I should say it's a flow of trust and children are in it

Children are very good observers. They notice the gate of the school, how they feel it, the other teachers, all the students of the school, everything. They are curious minds, remember, so they want to be in this environment, you have already communicated them about school, friends and learning. So, they want to be here. It is just that moment. Once that moment is clicked in the child's mind, then, you did it ! There will be a day when your children will not want to go back to home. Cherish each moment !


2 comments:

Olives and Pickles said...

I like your blog..thanks for sharing with us.
pattty

Inside the child said...

Thank you Olives and Pickles. I am really happy that you like my blog.