There is a time to dawdle...

  fraz·zle/ˈfrazəl/

Verb:	Cause to feel completely exhausted; wear out.
Noun:	The state of being completely exhausted or worn out: "I'm tired, worn to a frazzle".
Synonyms:	verb.  fray noun.  exhaustion - weariness

It has been a fast paced few weeks with lots of pockets full of stress that unfortunately brought me to an ugly place...an adult tantrum.  Now I didn't kick and scream and throw myself on the floor but I did sulk and blow through some kleenex.  This week has been much better in many areas...better in part through reflection of my life.  Before you quit reading because you think I am simply venting I will change to my topic of dawdling.

I often tell my students that we, Americans, tend to try to hurry children up...we cannot wait for them to walk, to talk, to potty on the potty, to recite their ABCs, the list goes on.  Listen to parents or teachers talk to children...we often hear "don't dawdle", "hurry up", "come on", "we're late", and so on.  What is the rush?  Are we in a race?  Maybe I, or we, can learn a few things from children's lolly gagging.

If we think like kids and stop to pet a caterpillar every now and then I think our sanity would be better preserved.  Here are some things that we might "see" if we took the time to slow down and smell the dandelions:

1. We might notice the holes that the very hungry caterpillar ate in a leaf on a tree.
2. We might be able to find enough change in little hidey holes to buy a grande vanilla frappa mochachino.
3. If we unlace and relace our tennis shoes we may find that they actually fit better using every other lace hole.
4. What if while digging a hole in the sandbox I did end up in China... discover a dinosaur...or realize how relaxing sensory play is?
5. If I slow down I can walk with my shadow.
6. I can talk into my office fan in my coolest Darth Vader voice.
7. I can out build catapults with a 4 year old.
8. I can beat a 5 year old at Pokemon memory.
9. When I don't scurry through life I notice patterns...in the tile floor, in a fence, in the grooves on my pen.
10. When I slow down and take a breath I can sort out what is bothering me and decide if it is really worth all the stress...and chances are we have created the stress and the short breather helps us work past the stress.

I am not ashamed to say that I have decided to follow through on my declaration of stating there is a time to dawdle...I have already cancelled my class for Friday and turned in my absence report.  It was tempting to write in my reason as, "personal dawdling day" but I may want to do it again and I'll need a fresh new reason for that day.

NAEYC Conference Update!

I hate to brag...but part of my job does include going to the NAEYC Annual Conference with the preschool teacher and students from our Early Childhood Student Organization.  Conferences serve many purposes--to stay in touch with new information in the field, network with other like minded people, and to inspire or re-inspire. 

This year we took 5 students and one graduate to Orlando, Florida.  When people asked where we were going I usually told them under my breath because when you mention the city of the big mouse everyone tends to think you are going on a vacation rather than a professional trip.

I spent a lot of time in workshops but all I learned did not happen while in sessions.  Many things can be learned simply from the environment.  Here are some things that I learned:

1. Early childhood teachers love Vera Bradley bags...I have never seen so many patterns in all my life!
2. Early childhood teachers will sit anywhere at anytime.  I bet if you attended a banking conference you wouldn't find bank presidents sitting in the concourses eating lunch on the floor.
3. The freebies in the exhibit hall are like gold...much like the swag bags given away at the award shows for presenters.

4. Preschool teachers will throw elbows for a free pen, piece of chocolate, or post it note pad.
5. A bar full of preschool teachers is an interesting sight.
6. Give a child care provider a free frisbee and she will try to get 9 more to give to her kiddos or make a cool game.
7. Early childhood people are not afraid to stand up and sing and dance in a session or again to get more free stuff.
8. Although we tell our children not to talk to strangers, early childhood teachers make new friends quite quickly.
9. Early childhood people will talk about poop, pee, and boogers to anyone.
10. Only preschool teachers would be concerned about people with peanut allergies when the nuts are passed out on the airplane.
11. Early childhood people are still amazed at Mentos and Diet Coke...thank you Steve Spangler!
12. It is possible to obtain over 10 pounds of freebies in the exhibit hall...and preschool teachers know how to do the math to insure that their bag still doesn't weigh over 50 pounds for the return flight home.

Preschool Kids + Candy Corn = Two of My Favorite Things

They really are two of my favorite things...but not in combination.  I have loved preschool age kiddos for some time...always something new when you work with little kids.  My love for candy corn comes from a few different directions--first, I love fall and what candy epitomizes fall better than candy corn; second, it sounds healthy with the "corn" part and it is fat free.  Each of these favorites stand alone...not to be mixed...at least not while I am on duty. 

I love Halloween.  I hate what it does to little kids.  The main thing that drives me crazy is as soon as the big box stores clearance out the back to school supplies they begin decorating in orange and black and stocking all the Halloween goodies...everywhere little kids turn they are bombarded with mini Butterfingers and scary masks.  They love it and they fear it...it makes them nervous and excited...and too much candy...well that makes them super excited, sticky, and eventually sick.  Because I do enjoy Halloween I was somewhat disappointed when I found out we didn't "celebrate" Halloween at my first teaching job.  What?  You mean we are going to rob little kids of this holiday experience? 

We did have an evening Halloween event for the families that first year...and I saw why it is best to keep things bland when it comes to holidays and little kids.  It was a chaotic mess.  Kids were acting like the characters they were dressed as...parents were frustrated that expensive costumes were being stained with chocolate or worse...torn.  Instead of enjoying this event it caused a lot of stress on the families.  After this event I partially saw why we didn't incorporate Halloween into our planning for the whole month of October.  The next day sealed the deal, the kids were still pumped up from the party...some still wearing capes, fake tattoos, and I swear some still had chocolate drool around their mouths.  This is when I vowed that I would not be the cause of overloading children with such a commercialized holiday. 

After this baptism into preschool Halloween, I focused more on the fun of the season rather than the holiday.  I did plan to have pajama party day on the school day closest to Halloween so the kids had something a little different for the day but it didn't pump them up the way a traditional pajama party did.  This solved the dilemma of parents wanting to send their child to school in costume...although some pajamas are made to look like a superhero complete with cape...which is easy to detach and leave in a cubby...funny how a cape can change your personality.

Exhale....the Licensing Visit is Over!

It is that time of year again...we just had our license renewal inspection today.  We have known that it was coming since August when we filed the renewal paperwork.  Then about a week ago the licensing agent called and verified our operating hours and our whacky university schedule.  We are confident in our program and know we are doing what we need to do...but knowing someone is coming in to inspect sends us all into a nervous frenzy.  But by 3:30pm...our almost 2 hour visit was over for the year.  We exhaled and smiled.  This is just  preparation for when we are up for our accreditation site visit...anytime between...oh...say...now and the end of March 2012. 

As I relax after the good visit I think of all that could have been...what if all the crazy days some how all got combined and that was the day that the licensing lady pulled up to visit.  I am going to take a trip down memory lane and reflect on some of my past crazy times. 

So glad she didn't visit when:

• J chewed all the feet and tails off the animals in the block area.
• I had to remove a Polly pocket shoe from P's nose.
• I hit my head so hard on a shelf that I had to send a child to get me an ice pack.
• I caught a running mouse with a butterfly net in a classroom.
• I trapped bat number one...and bat number two in butter tubs on the celing of the playground patios.
• I picked up the dead baby skunk (on the playground) with my gloved hands to show the kids how cute and non-stinky they were.  The mama skunk had been trapped and removed days earlier...her den filled in with gravel...only to have the strongest of her babies crawl out only to die on the playground.
• Two children at naptime commented, "Hey, Mrs. T's asleep", darn cold medication and music by Enya...if I was asleep I wouldn't be able to recall this information...would I?
• We tried flour in the sand table...in the classroom...can you say "ghost children"?
• J ran into the rock wall and bled on my white shirt before they stitched him up.
• When I carried a child back to the center from a walk while she screamed, "I hate you" to me and everyone that walked by.
• I called a child's parents to have them come take him to the emergency room after a fall...he complained of his side hurting...we were afraid he broke a rib...turns out he was so constipated that the fall caused pain...expensive way to figure out you need more fiber in your diet.
• I hid a toddler size doll in a co-worker's backseat.  :)
• B told me he liked my "bwreast"..."Oh, you like my dress?"...."No...your bw-reast".  Guessing my dress enhanced that area that day!
• I finally beat K playing Pokemon Memory only to have her dad walk in while I was gloating over my win.
• E demonstrated the birthing process during circle time...complete with legs up and Lamaze breathing....no words to describe my thoughts.
• Mr. Critter (classroom hamster) had escaped for the umpteenth time.
• J brought me a live scorpion in a yogurt container.
 

I am sure that there are more moments that I have blocked out...and I know there will be many more to come.  I am certainly glad that I am in a field where every day is truly an adventure...no boring desk job for us early childhood people!

Ooops....Things They Didn't Tell the Preschool Teacher!

I remember my first job working in a classroom of 3-5 year old kids.  I was fresh out of college with my degree in hand and confident that I knew what I was doing.  I also remember the long hours I spent getting my room just right for my first group of kiddos.  Everything was going to be perfect!  I survived my first day with a few battle scars.  I quickly learned that while I knew what I was doing with young kids...I did not know all the little details that you simply cannot gain without experience. 

Fast forward to today...I teach college age students how to work with young kids...do I tell them everything they need to know?  Probably not...experience is so important.  Many great "lessons" are learned spending time in early childhood settings with real live children.  Some of those great lessons are learned from mistakes and a lot of trial and error. 

Over the years I have compiled a list of some of those things that no one tells the early childhood teacher.  I am going to share my list here.  It is broken down into 3 sections:  "What to do", "What to know", and "What to have".

What to do:

1. Check children's file (without prejudging)--although I swear boys whose names begin with a "J" are out to get me.
2. Send a note/email to introduce yourself to the families--tell them who you are and why you are going to be so awesome!
3. Send a note to the new children--kids love to get their own mail!
4. Let parents know what to save throughout the year (toilet paper tubes, grocery store bags, baby food jars, coffee cans, egg cartons, etc.)  NOTE:  You may have to request storage space for all the "junk" that filters in.
5. Remember to greet children and families each day!  We get wrapped up and sometimes forget this one.  Oh...and be cheerful!
6. Make labels for everything--cubbies, shelves, cots, supplies, your personal books, your extra kleenex stash (#7 on a later list).
7. Stock up on supplies--this may lead to hoarding but if the things are used I figure it all balances out.
8. Tour the building with children for emergency drills and exits before the real drills. 
9. Introduce all staff to children--so they have a name for the "trash man".
10. Plan as many displays as you can early on--bulletin boards, documentation panels, etc.
11. Make early and positive contact with families.
12. Tell families, "I won't believe everything your child tells me about your home life, if you won't believe everything your child says happens at school".
13. Start a newsletter and make it a regular--keep track of ideas on your calendar for future editions. 
14. Join an early childhood professional organization--it doesn't have to be a national organization but it should act as a support group.
15. Get enough rest, eat well, and exercise (activity on playground counts).

What to know:

1. That is it okay to mistakes...and how to laugh them off!
2. Parent-Teacher Conference dates.
3. How to defend play...this is important to remember in conjunction with #2.
4. Other important program dates--professional development days, program wide celebrations, Dr. Suess' birthday!
5. Where to go for advice...program director, mentor, friend, university advisor, web site.
6. Rules about field trips, fundraising, holiday parties...what do you mean we cannot pass out Valentines?
7. Dress code--avoid things that require dry cleaning or Spanx.
8. The whereabouts of the licensing regulation book and accreditation materials
9. Keep lesson plans from year to year.  You may want to do them again or use as a reminder that it sucked the first time so don't waste your time.
10. Planning is great and very important but flexibility trumps planning!

What to have:

1. A first aid kit for your classroom in addition to a program wide kit--I am not going to the main office for a bandaid for an invisible boo boo on little Jeremy's finger.
2. A personal emergency/beauty bag:  headache medication (for rhymthn stick days), allergy/cold meds, cough drops, toothbrush/paste, deoderant, hair ties, hair brush, mirror, feminine needs. nail file, lip gloss/chap stick, etc.
3. A lotion that takes you to your happy place--your hands will be so dry from all the washing and sanitizing!
4. Baby wipes--works wonders for stain removal and for removing crusty snot from preschoolers noses.
5. Extra underwear and clothes in children's sizes--garage sale finds and clothes left over from previous kiddos work well here.
6. Teacher's smock/apron--don't say I didn't warn you!
7. A stash of extra kleenex and toilet paper--I'm not saying you will run out and have to use construction paper...but you will run out!
8. A camera and a fully charged battery!
9. Disposable combs/brushes and hair ties or barrettes...for the kids!
10. Cheap toothbrushes and kid's toothpaste--in case someone gets sick or they need a quick brush--either they keep or toss the brush.
11. Extra shoes for walks and rainy days...Mr. Roger had the right idea when he changed his shoes.
12. Sweater, sweatshirt or jacket for when it gets cool outside or chilly at naptime.
13. A stuffed animal or pillow for a child who may have had a rough night.
14. A spot for your things--it will make you feel more at home.
15. Two days of emergency lesson plans or backup activities--great for a substitute or when the current days plans don't go well.
16. A teacher's seat, stool, bench, rocking chair...we all need our own spot...and kids think it is extra cool to be able to sit in our spot.
17. A pretty picture or fake floral arrangement to brighten your day!
18. A class photo with all the kiddos in it...this may change frequently!
19. An emergency stash of chocolate for the teacher...enough said.
20. An emergency stash of Smarties or gummies for the kiddos...you will thank me later!
21. Bag or box of rainy day games, puzzles...special things that are not out all the time.  This is when a bag of jacks comes in handy!
22. Writing instruments and post its placed strategically around the room for jotting down observations or for reminder notes...you just have to remember where you put all the notes.
23. A notebook to jot down funny comments from children--we all could write a book someday!
24. Creative storage space. 

25. Patience, eyes in the back of your head, four sets of hands, and a lot of love!

'Twas the Night Before the First Day of Preschool

'Twas the night before the first day of preschool...and all through the houses are anxious parents getting their little ones ready for their big preschool debut.  Our preschool begins for the year tomorrow and I know everyone is excited...parents, kids, and staff (maybe not the janitor)! 

Open house last week was a success!  The room looked great and we had all but 5 families visit.  Parents were looking around and asking questions.  The kids were checking things out as we explained that there would not be so many big people and loud voices on Monday. 

As a parent, I have dropped off my kids for many first days--child care, preschool, and school.  And because it is my parental duty I have in my head how I want my "little" one taken care of in my absence...so this blog is dedicated to my descriptions of how we as early childhood professionals will take care of your little one.

"Hi, my name is Mrs. T.  I'll take [insert child's name here] from you and we'll have a great day.  Tell mom/dad bye and let's go play."

I promise...

• to get your child engaged quickly as you leave so they don't notice (too much) that you are gone
• to console and wipe your child's eyes as they briefly cry after you leave...I will even hold him/her on my lap...or pat their back while they lie on the floor
• to call you and let you know that your child calmed down right after you left and they are now putting a puzzle together with a new friend

• to serve a yummy snack that makes your child think this is the best place to be...pudding and graham cracker sticks should do it...we'll save baby carrots and hummus for a new day
• to read a bazillion books to your child to make them feel special and help them learn to love books...we may even read the same book twice
• to teach your child a song that he or she will sing for the rest of the day...a song that you might not know all the words to and your child inserts his or her own version of the words in the car on the way home...you can ask us about the song tomorrow...we'll be happy to write down the words for you to sing with your child

• to allow your child to use things you shy away from using at home:  glitter, paint, playdough, scissors, and markers...we welcome messes at preschool...it is hard to scare us
• to stop the tire swing and let your child get off before he or she gets "spin sick" and vomits
• that the dirt and markers will wash off with a bath...we like to leave evidence of the good time experienced by your child
• to have so much fun that your child who didn't want to come to preschool doesn't want to leave to go home
• to have so many activities planned that your child crashes out cold right after dinner...unless they are still singing the song
• to love your child while he or she is in my care!

I ♥ Junk!


This is the first week of the fall semester and I did one of my  favorite activities with my early childhood curriculum class.  Since these students are aspiring early childhood professionals they are aware that most jobs in this field are not going to make them multi-millionnaires.  Since they are aware of this fact I can show them how to be creative (even if they swear they are not) and cheap when it comes to creating wonderful learning materials/activities for children.  It is also a great activity to reinforce the ideas of recycling and repurposing. 



What can I do with a handful of caps?



As an early childhood person I am always looking at alternative purposes for basically everything I see...that empty applesauce cup...a random unused door knob...storage containers (my favorites)...you get the idea.  So for this activity I bring in a bag full of junk!  Each student selects an item and brainstorms all the possible uses of the item in relation to young children.  After a period of time we share the results and everytime I get new ideas...and I have done this activity for more than 10 years and have used every item in the bag with young children.  I actually think that a field trip to a dollar store or garage sale could be a fun useful activity for my student teachers. 

If you are wondering the kinds of things in the bag of junk then click on the "Wordle" gadget on the right hand side of the blog screen.