I have always known that in order to be happy, I need to be sure that I am always feeding my creative side. Being with these kids for the last 3 years has taken the "me" out of the equation and replaced it with "them". By nature, the wonderful job that I have is creative... from inside my bright green office to ontop of the red red mat. I don't need to worry about me anymore. My focus has turned to "them" because I think fostering creativity in these kids is so important for growth. Walk with me....
Growing up I found that I was able to express myself through dance. Nothing could ever make me feel better than dancing, either alone or with my dance company. Dancing to me was the ultimate relief... the most complete catharsis (if you will excuse my double meaning). I know that most people understand this in different ways. Some people feel complete through art, sports, cooking, organization.. anything, really. I have put great thought into this at our The Little Gym. Even though our students are young, I understand their differing personalities and needs. One of the COOLEST things to witness is the differences between the children as they hit the 2-3 year old range. And of course, it only gets better after that.
So how can I foster these different needs? That was something I really struggled with last year in my class of 3 year old Funny Bugs... all of which had a completely different idea of why they were at The Little Gym and what my purpose as their "teacher" was.
I have to say that first and foremost our new Learning Units are ABSOLUTELY DEVINE. I am not trying to sell you on our curriuculum here... I really believe in them whole-heartedly. Every week in every class my Funny Bugs go on a differnt adventure. From pretending we are cooking pasta, to pretending we are firefighters, to pretending we are the man or woman on Mars... my imaginative kids are fullfilled through this imagery. Within these ideas, we are MOVING... and moving A LOT. My atheletes in the class get fullfillment through gross motor skills and gymnastics/sports/ and karate.
*Side note: if you saw how intensely focused Jaquee's Karate class was on Thursday infront of our dance mirrors as they were perfecting their "Eagle Claw"... you would have been wide-eyed and laying on the floor along with me. It was amazing. These kids were not only getting the energy release they needed, they were invisioning themselves as ninja turles...*
My kiddos who thrive in a social setting are the ones who come into class, know EVERYONE'S name.. and usually let me know that my theme of the day is ok.. but that they are just going to play their their friends however they want. I LOVE that.
Expression is so important and I urge to you study your child and feed their creativity. Whether it's physical, social, or mental. I am sharing a link with you to a blog that I LOVE. It is written by a dad who is fostering his child' creativity each and everyday through his lunch box...strange.... yes.. I will explain.
1. Dad makes the lunch and draws a simple picture and the beiginning of an explaination that pertains to the picture on a post-it note and puts it in the lunch box along with the food.
2. The kid adds to the picture and finishes the sentence at lunch and returns home at the end of the day with both the lunch box and the post it.
3. Dad and kid discuss the post-it and how the kid turned the drawing from a simple idea to a complex idea.
4. Dad posts it on his blog.
Read it! It is so wonderful and so addicting! I love that this parent is really interested in his child and the way he is growing and thinking- cool stuff!
Love to all and Happy Thanksgiving!
Ms. Paige