Make learning fun: Small motor skills.

Today in class, I teach a classroom of one and two year olds, we did an activity to encourage development in fine motor skills and to follow the theme of "teeth are not for biting'. Our activity was stringing cheerioes onto a string of yarn. Because I have a lot of two year olds in my class, I knew this activity would really challenge a skill they are developing at the moment, eye and hand coordination. The younger children I allowed to try, but did not really expect them to do much more than realize that the objects, the cheerioes, were edible, which they did :) They did relatively well with the project, especially since this was their first time doing this type of activity. The activity lasted about 10 minutes. Once they started to eat the cheerioes instead of stringing them, I knew they were no longer interested in the activity :)

Book Review: Hug Time

This is a wonderfully sweet story of just how perfect and simple love can be. Aside from that fact that I love little cats, the lesson given is, love is a powerful but gentle force. Something as simple as a hug brings peace and harmony The pictures are simple but profound. I read this whenever I'm having a rough day :)

Why a teacher?

Come on let's face it, when it comes to salary, we teachers are on the lower end of the pay scale, yet our job is one of the most important in our society. I mean, before anyone can be a doctor, an astronaut, a scientist, a president or even a teacher, they need a teacher to impart the knowledge of that field. Even back in the day when there were no universities or schools, learning took place at the feet of the elders or experienced, fathers taught their sons, mothers taught their daughters, merchants, traders, farmers, and skilled workers all took apprentices to pass on their knowledge and skills. If teachers are vital to the fabric of our existence, why aren't we given our proper dues? wouldn't it be nice if we could earn those six-figure salaries? :D But we don't, so why become a teacher? I love teaching. I love helping a person or child explore their own potential, promote and encourage their love for learning and discovery, help them to reach milestones and goals, to succeed and achieve. To see a child go from not knowing or understanding a concept to fully understanding it is a rewarding feeling. To see them develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments and development is worth more than what a six-figure salary job can give (though I'm not saying it would not be nice to have.) So in the end, I choose teaching any day :)