Blogging About A Child's Sense of Self-worth In The Kindergarten Classroom

I mentioned in an earlier post that whenever a child is absent in my classroom, we call him or her at home and the entire class yells "We miss you  and their name......!"  Why do we do it? Childhood is such a brief moment in time, and  I want to do what I can to give each child the best possible start as they begin the journey of lifelong learning. Little gestures like this one only take a few minutes and  it seems to make the children feel so special. I want children to love school and get excited about learning.

Does that mean that I come in happy and excited every morning when I get to school? No! I have to admit that there are days when I come to school tired and wish I could have slept one more hour. On those days I try to remember what a gift God has given me to  impact the life of a child.  Children are our greatest asset and I want to do what I can to give them the best possible start in kindergarten. The choice to be  a positive impact or a negative one God leaves to me. Since my goal as a teacher is to have my students remember me as a positive influence, I keep this saying by an unknown author above the computer on my desk along with a bible verse. It serves as a gentle reminder of how precious each child is and why I have to leave that tiredness or grumpiness outside the classroom door before I enter each morning. I bought it several years ago when a little girl in my class had to move again for the third time in one year. Her little eyes filled with tears as she told me " I don't want to leave. I want to stay here. I love school and  my friends and I know you love me!"  She cried and cried as she left. I didn't realize until after she had gone just how difficult home life had been  for her and her siblings until  a social worker shared it with me.I thought about all of the days that I could have shown that child more empathy or given her more attention  and I felt so sad.

So, on days if I am feeling out of sorts, I look at this sign, and the bible verse below, and I remember that little girl. I remember how oblivious I had been to just how much school meant to her and it turns my day around. I am so thankful for all of the parents out there who do their best to provide a safe and caring environment for their children.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
(Matthew 18:10 ESV)