Ah, preschoolers...
My year with Blue Eyes didn't start out so sweetly; he was a 4-year-old tornado of boundless energy with a blatant disregard for rules, instructions, and authority of any kind. I spent most of every 30-minute class period coaxing him to participate and correcting his behavior. In keeping with his overall lack of self-control, he was also rough with his classmates - attacking them, often two at a time, from behind with "hugs" that landed all parties involved on the floor with a dramatic thump. He'd continue squeezing them as they peeled themselves off the floor, a perplexed look on their faces. But preschoolers forgive easily, so he'd weasel his way out every time with "I just wanted to give you a hug!" Well, that's one way to show affection...
Like all first-time students, he has started a transformation since our return from winter break. He is becoming civilized. (If you think that labeling little ones as previously "uncivilized" is harsh, please find a Preschool or Kindergarten teacher and ask them to describe in detail to you the first few weeks of school.) His behavior has improved and that rough love language of his has toned down. Hugs are gentler, words softer. He became nice, lovable. Sweet, even! So sweet that my daily battles with him changed from "please stop covering your ears and screaming" to "please keep your lips to yourself." Don't get me wrong, in the war of unruly preschoolers, a quit-kissing-everyone battle is not a bad one to have to fight. But seriously. Kid can't stop putting his lips all over everyone. "Please keep your lips to yourself" quickly became a mantra. I've been teaching a while and said many "Please keep your __________ to yourself" statements, but never with lips. On the third day of battle "Kiss", I decided something had to be done because in addition to spreading germs and scaring little girls, it had become a huge distraction. "Blue Eyes, you have to stop kissing people. I'm glad you love your friends but you need to find a new way to show them." He agreed, sneaking one last kiss on his best friend's cheek as I turned away. Afterward, he composed himself and made it through the remainder of class. Almost.
After singing a much-loved song to the class, I was rewarded with precious little sighs all around, "I love that song Mrs. Music Teacher," "I love your pretty singing voice, Mrs. Music Teacher." (Be still, my heart.) And Blue Eyes, no longer able to contain his excitement and appreciation proudly announced "KISSY TIME!!!" as he made his way to me with pursed lips. I'm here to tell you, folks, there are far worse things than being loved by a preschooler who just wants to give you some Kissy Time. But for the sake of political correctness and politeness, Blue Eyes is now following a new policy in my classroom under which he may express his affection through blown kisses. And yeah, stopping to blow kisses every few minutes is a bit cumbersome to my teaching, but I don't mind.
My year with Blue Eyes didn't start out so sweetly; he was a 4-year-old tornado of boundless energy with a blatant disregard for rules, instructions, and authority of any kind. I spent most of every 30-minute class period coaxing him to participate and correcting his behavior. In keeping with his overall lack of self-control, he was also rough with his classmates - attacking them, often two at a time, from behind with "hugs" that landed all parties involved on the floor with a dramatic thump. He'd continue squeezing them as they peeled themselves off the floor, a perplexed look on their faces. But preschoolers forgive easily, so he'd weasel his way out every time with "I just wanted to give you a hug!" Well, that's one way to show affection...
Like all first-time students, he has started a transformation since our return from winter break. He is becoming civilized. (If you think that labeling little ones as previously "uncivilized" is harsh, please find a Preschool or Kindergarten teacher and ask them to describe in detail to you the first few weeks of school.) His behavior has improved and that rough love language of his has toned down. Hugs are gentler, words softer. He became nice, lovable. Sweet, even! So sweet that my daily battles with him changed from "please stop covering your ears and screaming" to "please keep your lips to yourself." Don't get me wrong, in the war of unruly preschoolers, a quit-kissing-everyone battle is not a bad one to have to fight. But seriously. Kid can't stop putting his lips all over everyone. "Please keep your lips to yourself" quickly became a mantra. I've been teaching a while and said many "Please keep your __________ to yourself" statements, but never with lips. On the third day of battle "Kiss", I decided something had to be done because in addition to spreading germs and scaring little girls, it had become a huge distraction. "Blue Eyes, you have to stop kissing people. I'm glad you love your friends but you need to find a new way to show them." He agreed, sneaking one last kiss on his best friend's cheek as I turned away. Afterward, he composed himself and made it through the remainder of class. Almost.
After singing a much-loved song to the class, I was rewarded with precious little sighs all around, "I love that song Mrs. Music Teacher," "I love your pretty singing voice, Mrs. Music Teacher." (Be still, my heart.) And Blue Eyes, no longer able to contain his excitement and appreciation proudly announced "KISSY TIME!!!" as he made his way to me with pursed lips. I'm here to tell you, folks, there are far worse things than being loved by a preschooler who just wants to give you some Kissy Time. But for the sake of political correctness and politeness, Blue Eyes is now following a new policy in my classroom under which he may express his affection through blown kisses. And yeah, stopping to blow kisses every few minutes is a bit cumbersome to my teaching, but I don't mind.