Allen is a very active, inventive two year old. At lunch today, he was sitting across the table from Alice. He finished his carrots and apparently decided he wanted hers. This is how he accomplished that.
"Look under the table, there's a phone!" Allen sounded very excited.
As the other kids all bend down to look under the table, Allen quickly reaches out and grabs a handful of carrots from Alice's plate. I think my mouth dropped to the floor and I found myself just staring at this and didn't say anything right away. The kids all sat back up and resumed eating. I just watched to see what would happen. I'll be danged if he didn't do it again!
"Look under the table, it's a phone!" he cried out, pointing under the table.
Once again, the kids duck down to see the phone. Allen again grabbed a carrot from Alice's plate. Well, as you can imagine, I had a very hard time being serious as I explained that if he wanted more carrots he should just ask me for them.
It's too bad I've learned so much now when it's too late for my own children. I could have used the information from classes I'm taking a long time ago! I have learned:
1. If you push too hard and too fast, it backfires.
2. Learning through play is the best teacher for the young ones. Too many things such as worksheets only stresses them out. Once I learned how to utilize playtime as a learning field, things seemed to happen. It's such a joy to watch as they point to alphabet letters and name them correctly, or count to 10 all on their own.
3. Even though toddlers and preschoolers seem defiant and aggressive, they are truly
very dependant upon us for guidance. A firm yet controlled voice will settle an out of sorts child faster than yelling and spanking. Guide the child to the place they need to be emotionally with a loving, helping hand, rather than trying to force it with screaming.
4. This might sound odd, but remember the children have the same emotions and needs as we do. I think that's easy to forget as we zoom along in a very fast paced world. I try to show them just as much respect as I would a fellow adult. That doesn't mean I forget they are children, and I do expect them to act as children.
5. Nurture every aspect of a child. Also, remember that the most important part of caring for a young child is the physical develpment. Being "school ready" is not all it's cracked up to be if it makes the child uncertain of his/her abilities.
"Where did you get those tomatoes, Kathy?" He asked.
I told him I got them a Fred Myers. "I don't like that place." He was quick to say. Then after a minute he added. "But I will in a few minutes, and that's ok."