Memorable Moment 1

One of the most valuable tips I can offer to teachers and parents is to enjoy your students/children. As a teacher, one of the ways I enjoy my students is by taking note of moments during the day that I classify as "memorable." Sometimes these moments happen when a student makes a breakthrough or a connection; sometimes it's when a lesson for a group goes particularly well and sometimes it is just a funny moment when kids are just being kids.

I would like to share some of my memorable moments with you. I also invite you to share your memorable moments in the comments section. It is my goal to make "Memorable Moments" a weekly feature. (note: I have changed the names of the students and other persons mentioned to protect their privacy.)


Memorable Moment #1:
Arabela entered my pre-kindergarten class as a three year old with developmental delays. We worked on communicating wants and needs with words and we also worked on task related skills such as "raising a quiet hand." After Arabela had been in school for about a year and a half, her skills in these areas developed quite nicely.

She decided to showcase her skills for us when we had Fireman Will come to visit the class. Now, Fireman Will happens to be a 30ish stud, who is good looking, friendly and somewhat flirtatious. He loves coming to the elementary school for visits and consequently, this was not his first visit to our classroom.

Fireman Will's topic during this visit was his protective clothing. He showed the kids all of his gear and explained that it protected him from the fire. He put each piece on and repetitively talked about how it was not scary, it just protected him when the fire was hot.

After repeating numerous times that his gear protected him when it was hot, Arabela decided to raise her hand to comment. Now at this point here is 4 1/2 year old Arabela sitting "criss-cross applesauce" just a nicely as can be, raising her quiet hand and waiting patiently to be called on. She is the picture of pre-k perfection. So Fireman Will calls on her, and in perfectly clear speech with wonderful articulation, she blurts out "My mom's hot!"

The speech pathologist, my assistant, the teacher next door and I busted out laughing! Fireman Will was rendered speechless by a 4 year old!

(And by the way, her mom is gorgeous.)

The point being, as teachers and parents we all face stressful and seemingly "impossible" situations. It's important for all of us involved with children to acknowledge and enjoy the humor and honesty of children. They add to our lives!