I Never Knew How much TLC these Kids Needed!
Hi,
So I am on my first week of teaching kids as their behaviors are now. And much learning is taking place in me. This old dog is learning new tricks. I have taught Special Ed since 1993 and Pre K since about 2006. Different situations come and go.
One thing that reminded me of a lot with this new challenge was back in 2009. I was teaching this little boy and he was always in trouble. One day as I was getting onto him again, a child asked me Mrs. Susan, Why is Zack always in trouble?
All of a sudden it hit me. Why was he in trouble. It wasn't his fault. He was a child put in my care to teach. I had been to a training that actually helped Zack.
Zack was not meaning to be defiant, so why was he always scooting his chair away from the table during snack time? Well, all it took was a picture. We used to watch Sesame Street videos ( I always preferred the Classic back then). Anyway my picture showed the child his eyes were supposed to cross the table when he was eating snack. Problem solved. He started scooting up his chair and having his eyes cross the table.
This year more than half of the year was really looking good. I had students who were behaving as a whole even though much redirection was taking place, it was functional and I was the only teacher with no assistant and it had been like that 2 and 1/2 years. They were not planning on giving me an assistant. All was well.
Until it wasn't. I do not know what all happened but in around February things changed. I started getting some help because my students were having different new behaviors. I spent weeks moaning about "they didn't used to act this way...." I was not changing though.
This week it was different because I started to stop thinking about what was. It was gone and now I had what is. It started with my trip with my grandson. That turned out good so I decided much change was needed and like that pacifier with my Grandson, these kids needed some TLC. But I was amazed as I got more personal with my students that I experienced a bond with them that never existed before. I could not reach that depth of building on a relationship when everything was fine and all I had to do was go through the motions. Now things were real.
Recent Comments
8
Hi Susan, sometimes I don't think there is enough TLC. It is always nice when it is shared.
All the best,
Michael
Using TLC to make that deep connection will always be a winner. Good going with the kids Susan.
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Sometimes TLC and a little more attention to detail is all that a situation needs, Susan!
Jeff
I am finding that to be true. They really like their elephant stamps on their arms. They wear them like a trophy.
As well they should, Susan!
Jeff