Dalia Golda
Do you remember when we were in school and we used to have guests, and the teacher was preparing you: don’t talk out loud, don’t move from your chair, smile a lot and behave!
And they would take a deep breath the second the guests were out the door: thank god they are out and you didn’t embarrass me!
I don’t know about all of you, but I heard this a lot.
I came to schools like Beth Sholom (Potomac, Maryland) and Temple Emanuel (Kensington, Maryland) – they work with open doors, the teachers are so honestly welcoming you and there are no fake smiles, but pure and honest openness, and willingness to share, and discuss. I created connections with teachers I’d seen the I’mlast time and the moment I am back I feel like I’m in such a familiar place, it is almost unreal.
The kids are something else – they are so focused on what they do, their interest in the projects is so high, that they are oblivious to our presence. You see their routines, how independent they are and it amazes me.
I saw 2 kids – 3 years old: one was trying to pour paint from a huge jar, and the other one sad: Can I help you? The girl pouring said: No, thank you! And what would you think the other one said??? Ok!
You hear about collaborative work, not fighting over who is the best, the first, doing better, having more than others, and you think is just in the papers, not reality, but I am telling it is just as real as you and me.
Kids having the confidence and the skills to take care of themselves, of the environment, of their friends, not have grownups hovering over them for everything, not giving them a chance to even try, is a great thing to have in mind not just an educator but as a parent. Kindergarten is a family, and we should have the same values in both environments.
So, a thought for the day: doing things for your kids, doesn’t help them, it is only not giving them a chance to show their true potential! So teachers, parents, think twice before you dress your kids, feed them, talk instead of them! Give them a chance at a beautiful life!!!
