Re: Insights galore!

From: Tiffany Murasso
Email: tmurasso@ccaoh.org
Date: June 06, 2008

Comments

Keith, I agree with your comment "Joy, pleasure, fun, happiness, excitement--all of those terms must apply for both the child AND the teacher. It really is for both. If we as teachers or caregivers do not possess or encourage that joyfulness, the chances of if occurring in the classroom are practically nil." You can sense joy immediately when you walk into a classroom. There is a fundamental difference between a classroom where teachers are enjoying themselves, the children and each other and a classroom where the teacher's don't really want to be there. And you can feel it. When there is joy, children love school, love their teachers, and look forward to going each day.

A great personal example is my own daughter. She is in afternoon Kindergarten and attends a before school program at the local YMCA. Her K teacher is all business- reading, writers workshop, and following the rules. She likes Kindergarten. Her YMCA classroom has about 10 Kindergarten children. They also have a curriculum that allows for exploration and play, and lots of fun. The teachers are also kind, and friendly. She LOVES the Y program. She asked me if she could stop going to Kindergarten and just go to the Y instead!