Let Kids Get Their Happy On!

Pix from 'The Pink Ribbon" on Facebook

I remember the first time I started teaching. I did activities I loved as a child with them and we had a great time.  By mid-year my class didn’t seem to have that “oomph” it once had.  I’m so glad I started talking to more experienced teachers about the problem I was having.

The problem was I never had had the pulse of my class. I was doing things I liked without ever considering what they were interested in. After forgiving myself, I had a long talk with my class about things they wanted to do.  I can still see how big their eyes got when I took out the white board and wrote down every idea they had and read it back to them to make sure it was correct.

The teacher had now become the student.

We explored topics I never considered before.  Some of the children had serious illnesses so we made sure to do curriculum on trips to the doctor, hospitals,  even what types of medical equipment was used for.  The children that had been ill asked to speak to the class about what they were going through.  We recorded it for the parents and shared in their laughter and tears.

The curriculum began taking a life of its own . I felt just as excited to come to class as the parents and kids.

I’m so thankful I reached out for their sakes. It changed my life forever: hopefully, theirs, too.

How about you? How have you helped kids get their happy on lately?

7 Reasons Why Teachers are Such Great Bloggers

Pix from The Anti-Social Media

I was a blogger-in-bloom in 2009.  I had been a preschool teacher for twenty-years at that time and I was really just looking to share my experiences.

I got spammed by someone my first month-ahem. (By a non-teacher blogger, mind you.)

Not that I did anything wrong. Well, other than the fact that I didn’t know how to connect with others on the blogosphere. Maybe I did comment-faux-pas, who knows? 

The simple fact was that I was wholeheartedly looking for how to do this blogging stuff right.

It reminded me of my first few years of being a preschool teacher. I could tell you all about it but I believe we would all have similar stories of feelings of inadequacy.

I know in so many ways, just like blogging, teachers look to get things right because we sincerely care. Which is what really prompted me to write about why teachers are such great bloggers.

So, if you don’t have a blog, or are considering to blog, I really hope this motivates you to start!

Reason #1 Teachers are Persistent

All good teachers are persistent. Persistence leads to consistency which is needed in blogging. Most blogs wither away on the vine for lack of attention and grooming. We as teachers understand that where there is a will there’s a way. We make time for blogging just like we make time for the quiet or crying child. It’s part of our DNA.

Reason #2 Teachers are Sincere

We know that the children would never give us the time of day if we talked like a stale piece of toast. Teachers know how to jazz up dusty routines (always making the old feel new again) and have that amazing ability to teach and reach the heart at the same time. It comes with practice and sincerity. It transitions well over into our blogs, too.

Reason #3 Teachers Know How to Share

Teachers understand that sharing doesn’t come naturally. We know because we spend so much time encouraging it. Blogging requires social networking which really means that we aren’t afraid to get excited about one another's ideas. Teacher’s blog about one another’s blogs: yes, we actually do activities we say we are going to do. Sharing and blogging is a form of virtual encouragement and affirmation.

Reason #3 Teachers are Patient

Blogging takes patience. Not only the learning process but the overall netiquette involved. We have all worked with children in the classroom that have had a bit of a time making friends, socializing, or learning something new.

As teachers we are helpers one to another. We understand it takes time to learn new things and get set up on new blogging platforms. Because blogging teachers took time with me I learned about the ways I could take time with others. 

Reason #4 Teachers are Creative

Is this the only profession where you can see the same project posted one hundred different ways and we still blog about it? Did you ever wonder why? Teachers are creative in blogging or we would have gone the way of the dinosaur years ago.

Reason #5 Teachers are Inspirational

Teachers are nothing like firecrackers. We don’t put on a grand show and fizzle out in a random puff of smoke. We have an amazing ability to inspire and that has a lot to do with Reason #4. Much of our inspiration comes from the classroom and overflows into the willingness to share with other like-minded individuals. Blogging is a great outlet for us. We motivate and inspire one another!

Reason #6 Teachers Think Outside the Box

Perhaps our own children rub off on us a bit. Thinking outside the box requires looking at solutions and problems in new ways, even if it means getting out of our comfort zone. A good blog stands out from the others through presentation and the angle in which it’s presented.

The same requirement stands for good lesson planning.

Reason #7 Teachers Are Willing to Be Transparent

Blogs are liked for their personality, authenticity and ability make others want to engage. Interestingly enough, these are the attributes of a child’s favorite teacher. How many of us have gone the extra mile; at story time, by being the butt of a joke for the sake making an upset child laugh, or  regularly reminding the children how much you care about them being happy and safe?

Find out more reasons why teachers should blog

Our children are the first ones to call a phony a phony.
As adults, we learn to think it but not say it. I have always felt that  a teacher falls somewhere in between.

It’s a blessing to yourself and be self aware. It’s a gift to others to be transparent enough to share yourself openly without hurting feelings.

When a teacher finds the right balance in a blog; and we usually do, it’s a beautiful thing.

A Tribute to The Early Childhood Educator

Here is a tribute to the Early Childhood Educator.

The hopelessly optimistic.

The peace maker.

The negotiator.

The round peg in the square hole.
The one who will always see things differently.
And welcomes spontaneity.

Parents  love them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them.
About the only thing you can't do is ignore them.
Because they change things.
They push the human race forward.

And while some may see them as those square pegs,
many see genius.

Because the people who are unique enough to think
they can change the world,
Are the ones who often do.

~Adapted by Barbra The Bloggess from Apple 1997 (Ad)

Keep Trying

“It's frustrating when you know all the answers,

but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.”

“Ms.Barbra?”
“Yes?”
“Guess what I am thinking about?”
“Um…nuclear radiation in outer space?”
“No! No! No! You never guess-ed…and I know the answer!”
“Sorry, Kevin….but you still have to take a nap.”
“Okay….I’ll try again with you-s when I waked up.”
“Thank you for your patience with me, Kevin.”
“You’re welcome, Ms. Barbra.”

2010

“Youth is when you're allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve. Middle age is when you're forced to.”
~Bill Vaughn

Well, it’s here. 2010. I thought we would be living on the moon or something. I was visiting friends…sorry to say, I fell asleep. I’m not as fresh as I used to be-okay. I noticed was I was going home with my husband…the little kids were still in full swing….ah, youth. The running, vacuuming up stray cookies, chewing with their little screaming mouths open…
I suppose everyone was wondering how I fell asleep.
Someone said, “LUCK?”
I smiled and said, “Preschool teachers are on the frontlines all the time….but not tonight.”
I try to think further than where I am...not just in year segments.
I find rest in that....

T-A-N-K-S!

“A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they're not so good, and sympathizes with your problems when they're not so bad.”
~Arnold H. Glasgow

During class time I noticed Marko holding a book and walking around with it- making children laugh…..hmmm-m? Not so unusual. Since I was with another child- I would check on him in a minute. Before I could get to him a child entered to room crying with his mother. Off I went to assist and I saw Marko coming out of the corner of my eye- this time he had a whole group of children behind him.
“Tell him, Marko..tell him the joke!” The children coaxed.
Marko handed the book to the crying boy who stopped for a moment to look at it.
“Excuse me, my dear man…take this book.” Marko said in some kind of fake deep English accent.
Curious by now, he stopped crying and took the book.
“We’ll, what does it say, my dear man?”
“Um,” he sniffed; he read the bold word on the front cover. T-A-N-K-S, “it says, tanks.” He whispered.
“Say that a little louder, dear man.” Marko smiled, puffing his chest out.
“Tanks.” He said rubbing his eyes.
“Can’t heaaaar yoooou.” Marko giggled with the rest of the children.
“TANKS!” He shouted and laughed.
“Well, you’re welcome-but you don’t have to yell!”

How Old Are You?

“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.”
~Mark Twain

“Ms. Barbra?”
“Yes?”
“When you were a little girl did a dinosaur ever chase you home?”
I laughed. I entertained the children’s curious questions about my age.
But, then I wondered…how old would I be if I didn’t know how old I was?
How old would you be?

What's Great About Barbra & Intello-Kids

First off Barbra is hilarious. Her ability to transfer practical knowledge to educators with delightful stories always keeps me laughing. She is very real about what she shares and can convey messages that always reach my heart and I am sure her faithful followers will agree.

Barb, thanks so much for all you do and give in writing this blog. Its amazing the effort you give out and the dedication you bring in helping us all to learn how to better educate the future people who will carry on life as we may or may not know it on Earth. LOl