It Was Great
Today was Great – until it wasn’t.
Today was very low key. We’ve been waiting for a day like today where the rain forced us to stay inside and we could play to our hearts content and watch a short cartoon.
Mid morning everyone was playing and engaged. There was dramatic play. There was blocks . We did reading. There was art.
While the children were playing so calmly I decided to score the Dial 3 assessments – Rookie teacher mistake.
“Come look. Come look Ms Debbie. It’s beautiful. We decorated. “
When I walked in the art room it was certainly decorated. Tiny beads were scattered all over the floor. It was a little less than beautiful though I could see why the colorful beads spread everywhere seemed beautiful to children
I took a breath and used used good intention
“ You did decorate. There are color’s everywhere. It’s not safe for the beads to be on the floor. If we step on them we will fall AND we use those for crafts. Let’s pick them up .”
There was crying and gnashing of teeth. They never dreamed they would have to pick them up. I didn’t yell. I didn’t even sound angry I simply said “ you threw the beads on the floor and now you must pick them up .”
One of the littles cried “ it’s a lot .” Yes. You are right , it is a lot. It’s going to take patience. Stop crying and get busy .”
Eventually almost every bead was picked up. I dare say that won’t happen again. This. This is learning how to do life. I asked them “ we knew they couldn’t stay on the floor. Who did you think would clean them up ? .” They didn’t say. I know they thought me. They were wrong. I was sad for the hard work they had to do but many adults assume others will clean up their messes. Let’s teach our littles from the get go – even when it’s hard/ if we make a mess. We clean it up. No one is coming behind us.
I learned a lesson also that I knew long ago – don’t get distracted from the real work at hand.