Wednesday, October 01, 2008

First Week!

The prompts over at Three Word Wednesday are deliberate, intervene, and nourish.  And since I don't feel like writing writing today, here's a regular post into which the prompts happened to fit quite conveniently:

My first week of work at my new job has been great.  I share a classroom of toddlers (1 year olds) with another teacher; we have 3 girls and 5 boys.  I have to get up a lot earlier than I usually do, and I work a lot more hours than I used to when I was at the Lutheran Church.  But I come home feeling happy and energized, instead of drained and bored.  I have fun all day and the hours fly by.

The only thing is that I don't know nearly enough about 1 year olds.  I used to work with 3 year olds, and those 2 years in between means a world of difference.  For example, one boy (I call him Bruiser) tugged on one of the girls arms (I call her Lovebug) and made her fall down.  Now, I'm sure he didn't do it deliberately.  Bruiser was trying to pull himself up- he's still learning to walk- but it started a pinching match between the two of them into which I had to intervene.

If it happened between a couple of 3 year olds, I would know how to handle the situation.  I would know how to discipline Bruiser and I would assist reconciliation between them.  But they're 1 year olds- they don't respond to or understand the same language that an older child would.  I'm still not sure how to nourish and love all the kids in my class while keeping them all from hurting each other and crying all day.  But I'm getting there.

I absolutely love watching the kids as they learn.  One boy started stacking foam blocks one on top of the other yesterday, while all the others still revel in knocking them down.  His eyes lit up when he saw what he had done.  Another one doesn't like coloring, but sits at the table absolutely fascinated with the way the cap fits onto the marker.  Another will repeat, or try to repeat, just about any word you ask him to.  So I can't have two days alike- every day is a new and fresh experience for my kids, so every day is a new and fresh experience for me- even if I have to get up two hours earlier than I want.
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11 comments:

Thom Gabrukiewicz said...

NyQuil goes a long way toward keeping children quiet - and easy to manage. A tip from your Uncle G.

RachelRenae said...

LOL That's sound advice, friend.

Anonymous said...

Distraction, distraction, distraction... Thank God for people like you or I would have never have been able to work outside the home. Great write and it brought back so...many memories.

Janella said...

I'm SO very happy for you! I knew you would love it. Just don't ask me for any advice - It's been a long time since I had a one-year-old around!

Tumblewords: said...

Oh, it sounds like a great deal of fun and totally exhausting! Nice post!

gautami tripathy said...

Kids this small understand only the language of love. Believe me...

How groovy can you get?

Anonymous said...

sounds like a fun job and a learning experience

Anonymous said...

that anonymous was me - I click on the wrong button

Melissa said...

Sounds like things are going great, Rachel! You sound like many new moms I talk to, myself included! We just have to figure things out as we go and learn from each other. :) I can't wait to hear more stories.

a.matson said...

Oh my goodness, I am so happy for you. You sound SO INCREDIBLY happy! I'm so glad to hear it. Yay for one-year-olds! Isn't it amazing the way humans learn? Little kids are such an wonderful witness about God and His creativity without them even trying. How cool is that? I love you, and can't wait to see you!

Anonymous said...

As far as discipline, I've heard a firm "no" is good. It's tough when kids are not quite at the age to know morality or social mores yet. I would say a one year old would need grace and some firmness or consistency with a "no, please do not bite her shoulder. No biting," etc. My mom can look at the dog and say "no biting" and he knows what it means. Just using the biting thing as an example, of course.