Writing ooh…writing

This thing called writing

Oh to write at will. It’s not that I do not want to write, it’s just that I never seem to have the time. There is so much to say and do. Writing for me comes from the heart. So today my writing is about knowing that parenting and bringing up children, especially preschoolers in these days is a real challenge. Many have said this in different ways but the truth is , each day brings a new challenge and often one that as a parent you had not anticipated. Our children at the preschool age mix naturally and spontaneously. They want to be active and they want to understand what the other is saying and doing in their own special way. Frustrations can arise but generally preschoolers will give it time.

But as the day passes we realise that the world is getting smaller and smaller not only because we travel so much and entertain new cultures on a daily basis but also because our children are open to much more news, events and happenings.

What I realise also is that teachers are being affected by this new openness of the world and are bringing their fears, fantasies and thoughts right into the classroom with them. This can be good. Often it is not so good.

Are teachers writing?

For me it would be wonderful if as teachers prepare to enter the classroom, they were asked to capture their thoughts for the day in writing. In their writing you would see how they feel, their ability to express their feelings and their intentions of sharing these feelings and knowledge with the preschoolers.

Teachers have an awesome responsibility that is taken so lightly as parents hustle off to work and activities hoping and praying that all goes well that day in the classroom.

In the Montessori method, Maria Montesorri wanted the teacher to know him or herself. Knowing yourself means that we are aware constantly of the effect that we have on the preschooler, the adolescent, the child. As the teacher prepares for the day she or he spends time thinking about themselves and what they want to accomplish that day.

As they center themselves they become calm, thoughtful and caring. Maria Montesorri saw this as acknowledging the role of spirituality in our teaching. For the preschooler especially , being in a classroom in which the teacher is prepared and leaves the noise of outside to work with the noise of those inside will bring out the best in our children.