It can be done
May. 29th, 2014 12:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
susandennisSince January, every Thursday when I swim at 11, a pre-school has been there for lessons. The kids are probably 4 or 5. There are about 20-25 of them. They come with two teachers and are split into two groups. One group has a 30 minute lesson and then the other does.
I am not a fan of children. I find them unruly, loud and not particularly interesting. There are exceptions but this is the first time I have ever seen a whole pile of exceptions at once.
These kids are really amazing. They are adorable. And they are unflinchingly well behaved. Today, when I got out of the pool, I went in to take my shower just as the second class finished. Three of the kids did not swim so they were already dressed. Their teacher told them to sit on the bench and wait. And they did. Quietly. Oh, they wiggled around and watched but their butts did not leave that bench.
The teacher kept up a constant reassuring banter.... Boys over there and girls over here. Dry off with your towel and then put on your underwear like we did last time. That's right... John, do you want to dry your hair? Melissa, if you put your sweater on last, it will be easier. On and on... She never once scolded for anything - even when she moved them around and they went too fast there was no Don't Run! It was 'Use your Slow Feet, please. Slow Feet.'
The kids were obviously having fun. They followed her direction perfectly and naturally. Like they have every week. This week was their last at the pool. I can't believe it, but honestly, I will miss seeing them. And seeing PERFECT project management displayed by their teacher.
I am not a fan of children. I find them unruly, loud and not particularly interesting. There are exceptions but this is the first time I have ever seen a whole pile of exceptions at once.
These kids are really amazing. They are adorable. And they are unflinchingly well behaved. Today, when I got out of the pool, I went in to take my shower just as the second class finished. Three of the kids did not swim so they were already dressed. Their teacher told them to sit on the bench and wait. And they did. Quietly. Oh, they wiggled around and watched but their butts did not leave that bench.
The teacher kept up a constant reassuring banter.... Boys over there and girls over here. Dry off with your towel and then put on your underwear like we did last time. That's right... John, do you want to dry your hair? Melissa, if you put your sweater on last, it will be easier. On and on... She never once scolded for anything - even when she moved them around and they went too fast there was no Don't Run! It was 'Use your Slow Feet, please. Slow Feet.'
The kids were obviously having fun. They followed her direction perfectly and naturally. Like they have every week. This week was their last at the pool. I can't believe it, but honestly, I will miss seeing them. And seeing PERFECT project management displayed by their teacher.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-05-30 01:52 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2014-05-30 02:37 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2014-05-30 04:50 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2014-05-30 04:53 pm (UTC)I do hope they come back next year.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-05-31 03:01 am (UTC)It made mine. I have no idea how you get an entire class of 4-5 year olds _that_ on task. (Unless misbehavior at the pool means loss of pool privileges for that kid. That might do it!)
(no subject)
Date: 2014-05-31 03:03 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2014-05-31 03:40 am (UTC)(no subject)
(no subject)
Date: 2014-06-02 11:57 pm (UTC)