Breaking preconceptions

In this post I just want to share something that has happened today, and that has changed some preconceptions that I had when I started the internship period with the English teacher.

To do this, I have to admit that when I knew that I had to go to the three, four and five years-old classrooms, I was a little bit disappointed as it was something new for me, and I had never studied nothing related to the Pre-school Education. So, the first lessons I was very negative and unmotivated. It seemed very boring to me, as each class was the same. First, the assembly, in which children repeated always the same things: “Good morning, how are you today”, “I’m happy”, “Today is sunny”, “Today is 21”…  I knew that with children of these ages is very important to work daily routines, but it was a kind of a torture for me.  After the assembly, it was the time for the songs: “The good morning song”, “The days of the week song”, “The colors song”… day after day the same songs… I dreamed about them.

Everything changed when the English teacher went on sick leave. Then, I had the opportunity to do things my way. So, I started to do the assembly more dynamic, asking children about their favorite color, season, day of the week, food… or to ask them what had they done during the weekend, etc. I started to enjoy these times, and to hear them. I also started to sing and to dance the songs with them, so they were much more motivated. I went happy to these lessons, and I think that they perceived how much I enjoy them.

So, today, when I have finished the lesson with the 5 years-old children, they have given me a big hug. It has been very special for me because, although Teaching is a very rewarding job and children always thank you somehow, this hug has been probably the most emotive moment that I have lived in these four years. It has taught me that it doesn’t matter if children are three, four, five, six, seven or fourteen years. Each group is different, and in each one we have an infinity of opportunities to enjoy and to make them enjoy too. It all depends on our attitude. It’s essential not having preconceptions about a group or an age rang, because teaching is like a circle. We receive what we give. So, if we love children and we enjoy with them, surely they will love us and enjoy our lessons.