Lessons from my Preschoolers: Part Two

Lesson 8: Keep the Medicine Cabinet Well Stocked

I have worked with these kids for 2 and a half months now. I have been sick more times in this short period of time than I have been in the past 8 years at least. It's one cold after another. I keep the Kleenex company in business. Last month, I landed myself in the Urgent Care center only to be diagnosed with a double ear infection and a popped eardrum that started as a sickness my kids gave me. And now I have the remnants of a cough. I have learned that I must always have DayQuil, cough syrup, cough drops, Kleenex, and BandAids in stock. 

Lesson 9: You're Gonna Hear Them Roar

I drive a short bus for the preschool/daycare in which I take school aged kids back and forth throughout the day. On one particular run, I am left with a handful of elementary school girls on the bus. They love when I plug in my iPod and one day last week, "Roar" by Katy Perry came on. They were ecstatic! Hearing their little voices, completely too high and off pitch, warms my heart. And the words they are singing are empowering too.

You held me down, but I got up

Already brushin' off the dust

You hear my voice, you hear that sound

Like thunder, gonna shake your ground

You held me down, but I got up

Get ready, cause I've had enough

I see it all, I see it now

I've got the eye of the tiger, a fighter

Dancin' through the fire

'Cause I am a champion

And you're gonna hear me roar

Louder, louder than a lion

'Cause I am a champion

And you're gonna hear me roar

Lesson 10: The Simplest Ingredients Make the Most Fun

This week my kids painted with styrofoam cups. They loved it to pieces! Some made the Olympic rings, others made rainbow patterns, and some made flowers. One little guy made one for me. It's quite the abstract piece, but it definitely makes a statement :)

Another day this week, I brought baking soda, vinegar, a bowl, glitter, and a glass Coke bottle to school with me. Their little smiles and shrieks when we made mini volcanoes made my heart happy. I love to see kids enjoying learning. We talked about why these ingredients make a "volcanic" reaction and we played with the ratios of ingredients to see if some ways were better than others. It was fantastic!

Lesson 11: Each Kid Needs Something Different

The biggest thing I have learned about working with kids is that each child is different. What works for one kid may completely mess up another child. Some kids respond to a harsh voice, some kids respond to a soft voice. Some kids need constant monitoring and things to do, while others can occupy themselves for quite some time with no trouble at all. It is a huge learning experience. I have to figure out how each of my 22 children respond and remember every single one of them. I'm still learning, and I think I will continue learning for quite a bit longer!

Lesson 12: Dinosaurs & Magnetic Building Tiles

These toys are my best friends. If you have enough of these for the kids during certain times throughout the day, you are absolutely set! My kids are OBSESSED with these! Definite crowd pleasers! 

more lessons to come...