Imaginary Play

There was a little spitfire in my two’s class, Gordy. If there were any rule he could break, he would. He came from an affluent family that had a big name in the town. Therefore, he and his entire family were “entitled” to many things…in their opinion. There were times I would wait an hour after closing for his mom to pick him up and she would walk in with no hesitation, no apology, no remorse…pick up her son and leave. Gordy was learning from example. Despite the sense of entitlement, he was a character.

We always took the kids to play outside. Usually, we would try to find a common theme to play, but other times they would play freely; choosing whatever method of play they wanted. They explored and discovered. Gordy decided to explore his imagination during outside play, which can be a dangerous thing, as we discovered.

Gordy was interested in the restaurant management system. He ran his own place…distributing food to his patrons and picking up the table once they were finished. Business wasn’t going too well this one day, apparently. We were interacting with the students when Gordy began his advertising spiel. In the middle of the playground, at the highest peak of the playground set, amongst the entire passerby’s…we hear Gordy declaring his current restaurant special, “BEER!!! FREE BEER!!!”

…come on by March 1st.

Potties and Toilet Paper

I know that there’s always room to learn and I have not “seen it all,” but I have seen a bit. From what I have seen, I quickly learned many things. I know that when high school students “go to the bathroom,” it’s really code for grabbing a snack and soda from the machines. I know that you can’t fool children of any age. I also know that you should keep anything involving toilet paper away from two year olds unless you plan to clean up a mess.

There is a certain fascination children have with the potty. Whenever you are going through the potty training process with a child, keep an eye on their interest. Are they happy that they used the potty? Probably, but I assume most of their excitement comes from your praise. Do they get excited with the clean-up process? I don’t think anyone is excited about that part. Are they interested in the potty functioning? Most definitely; the flushing and watching the water swirling down the pipe never ceases to amaze them. If you are lucky, you will meet a child who is interested in the potty the entire time of usage! Those are the fun ones.

One of my students – we’ll call him Paco for the sake of privacy and legalities – had always been an energetic handful. He hit the initial stage of potty training (showing interest in the potty) and did he surprise us all. The very first time at the potty, he spent a few seconds inspecting the toilet. Paco must have been mesmerized by the sparkling water or just really thirsty, because, in no time at all, he bent down, elbows deep in water, and began drinking from the toilet. When he began using the potty, number two to be direct, Paco would stand and watch his masterpiece. We had to be watchful, because several times he had tried to preserve his hard work by grabbing it to put in his pockets and “save for later.” As he progressed, Paco became interested in the toilet paper and the cleaning process. My coworker –feeling confident in the fact that Paco was next to her and, if he were to try anything, she was able to react quickly – had decided to help another child wash her hands. When she turned back to Paco, she found the toilet water had been completely absorbed by the insurmountable amount of toilet paper left in the bowl. Yes, Paco was one of the students interested in the entire potty training experience…before, during and after potty use.

…swirl on by February 20th.

Topic Expansion

Well, hello to all of you who have stuck along during last month. I appreciate your loyalty. Plus, I feel like I’m writing with some kind of meaning…rather than sending blogs into the abyss of, well, nowhere.

Today, I am sending a blurb on a topic expansion. Because of my experience with children, I have learned that there is always one thing that never changes when working with children…things change. Yes, my family, friends, fellow bloggers and readers…things change. With change, I can guarantee you one thing about children…you will always be surprised. Children and pets are magnificent creatures that constantly change and surprise the heck outta’ you.

Therefore, my topic expansion will include stories of my experiences with children…with pets…with teaching…name it. Granted, I will change the names to protect the innocent…as well as the not-so-innocent. They will be true stories, though. Do not doubt that.

Please note that these are stories based from my experience and the knowledge acquired through my experience. I am sharing this to offer another point-of-view, but I am not saying that I know everything. If you were to ever run into someone who “knows everything,” run the opposite way, because they, probably, know nothing. No. I’m not a guru. I am just sharing the funniness of my mistakes and dumbfounded-ness.

…meet me back here on February 10th.