why my job > your job

This afternoon we had Disney music playing in our room. "You'll be in my Heart" came on and I sang most passionately the lyrics to two of my preschoolers I was playing with at the time. At one point I was holding both their hands singing from the depths of my being-- and what were those two doing? Staring straight into my eyes, completely captivated, grinning away.

Now, when was the last time you had a similar story from your day at work?

Chapped hands, chapped lips

The cold Iowa temperatures have really done a number on everyone's skin this winter. We've encouraged our preschoolers' parents to bring in lotion and chapstick to help keep everyone's skin hydrated. Today I was putting lotion on one of the kids' hands whose were particularly chapped. As I put it on he sighed in relief. Then he said, "that feels good. It's cold when you put it on but it warms up when it gets sucked in."

Portraits by a preschooler

One of my preschoolers sheepishly handed these drawings to me and informed me the pictures were all of me.

Teaching has clearly taken a toll on my personal appearance. And I only look happy 2/3 of the time, but hey, it's otherwise been a productive 7 months with these little people. And it looks like I've gotten a little taller and skinnier, too.

math isn't really their thing

The other day one of my preschoolers was talking to me about his behavior. "How happy do you think my mom and dad will be if I have a really good day? How many times happy?"
Me: "200 million times happy"
Preschooler: "Nah, I think they'll be happier than that. I think they'll be 11,036 times happy."
It's an honest mistake for a 4 year old.


Earlier this week I had all my preschooler sitting down for group time. We were discussing the calendar and holidays and such. I asked them what holiday was going to be happening this week. They excitedly told me Valentine's day and then proceeded to tell me about the superhero and princess Valentines they would be bringing on Friday. One of the preschoolers stood up, clearly ecstatic and said very loudly and very fast: "I'm bringing M&M Valentines for everyone, but don't tell them!"
Your secret's safe with me, kid.

Ouchies, Owies and Booboos

Today one of my preschoolers came up to me nearly in tears. "I've got an owie on my foot." I helped him take off his shoe and sock and looked at his foot but I couldn't find anything. Neither could he. I found a scrap of something in his shoe, so I guessed that was the problem. He said that was it. Then he looked at his foot again and said, "actually the owie was here but it got sucked in."