In any regular year we would already be seeing the typical late May, early June lack of motivation. They say that the last month of pregnancy feels like an entire pregnancy in itself. I’m pretty sure that June feels like an entire year all rolled into one.
This year everything is exaggerated, exasperated and well all that little extra irritated. EVERYONE needs a break yet at the same time our classroom kiddies need us more than ever. While it’s hard to not just hang loose like a goose in the decked out pond, this is the time to make sure that we still SEE each child. Right up to that very last moment they scurry into their summer vacation time.
This is a reminder more-so for myself and whoever else out there needs it. Take a breathe. Fill yourself with that little extra mile of energy. Make sure you really see each child. It’s been a hard year and the whole world is on edge. Stop and look at the why instead of getting caught up in the what. Why is the homework not done. Why won’t he/she speak in class, why are Susan and Karen always fighting? We have just a short time before we send these kids onto another break. Talk to them. Understand them. It’s never too late to make a connection.
Today in one of my classes I kind of pushed my own motto to the side. I was very focused on what was happening and not why it was happening. It resulted in a stern conversation and a group of kids ending the class not feeling great about their behaviour. I continued with my class and didn’t really focus on getting down to the why and turning it around.
After a conversation with their homeroom teacher she said “when a kid is feeling not great, they are not open to any learning anyway, so it’s actually better to spend the entire lesson talking about the event. It allows them to process it and next time they will come back more ready to learn.”
GENIUS
I made a poor judgment for that class but know I can fix it in the next one. I didn’t take the time to see my students. I was too focused on my what to get to my why, and why is where the magic happens.
When a child feels truly seen they are able to flourish in a whole new way. They are able themselves to nurture better connections and become more understanding and empathetic citizens. When a child feels seen they are able to learn. To really see a child we need to listen to them, understand them and really get to their core. It’s about empathy and making sure that each and every child feels unique, accepted and of course that magic word… seen.
Now let’s go see that class.
Mrs. G
Learn Play Speak 