As this school year comes to an end, I’m feeling a little more reflective than usual. I am not returning to my current school in the fall, and the next step on my teaching journey is yet to be seen. But what will always remain is the hope that each group of students I teach leaves my classroom with some foundational truths. They will likely not remember much about our time together, but I hope that they always remember how they felt in my classroom.
My Emotions Matter
I work hard in my classroom to create an environment where children are comfortable expressing their emotions. They spend so much of their day being told what to do and conforming to the schedule of their grown-ups, with little regard to how that makes them feel. Social interactions at school are sometimes difficult. Language skills are still developing. When the emotions come out, I want my kiddos to know that it’s OK to feel them, and I want to be supportive and teach them appropriate ways to express those feelings.
I Am Capable
Some kids are natural go-getters and others are filled with self-doubt. I want all of my students to know that they are capable–when we fail, we try again. We make progress when we practice. And we can do hard things!
I Am a Problem-Solver
Few children enter my classroom on the first day with solid problem-solving skills. It’s one of my favorite things to see evolve over the course of the year. We walk through multiple problem-solving moments a day–at first they need help, but as they continue to see what problem-solving looks like, they start to initiate it on their own until eventually they become very confident in their skills. They take a lot of pride in being able to work out differences with a peer all on their own!
I Can Show Kindness
Friendships are a BIG part of preschool, but there is still a lot to learn about social relationships for 3-5 year olds. Kids who are best friends today might barely acknowledge each other next week. All it takes is a simple disagreement for two students to decide they need a break from one another. I try to teach that not everybody is friends all the time, but that we should be kind to everyone all the time.
I Am Important
Ultimately, I want my students to leave my classroom knowing that they are important. I want them to know that our class would not be the same without them, that their families would not be the same without them, and that the world would not be the same without them. A child who believes that they are valued will be one who sees value in others ❤️