Teaching Day 2

I started working as a part-time, temporary teacher at Mother's Morning Out on Thursday. I've been with the 4's both days, and it's been a lot of fun. I really like the three teachers I've been helping, and today I got to have the orange room by myself as we experimented with what sinks and what floats and wrote about it.

As a Mom, it's nice to see that X-man is really very similar to other 4 year olds out there. He is more emotionally intense when things don't go his way, but he's not alone in that issue. Today, as we were at West Side Park watching the children PUSH EACH OTHER on the swings rather than beg for the teachers to push them. It was awesome. I got to see the 4 year old sweetness up close and personal, which is nice. Particularly when it comes to the girls. In all social situations with 3-4 year olds, I've noticed the boys can't keep their hands and feet off each other. But the girls -- they take are very open about verbally who they want to play with. It kills me when two bonded friends can't make room for one more. X-man had this when he first got into the 3 year room. It was like watching Charlie's Angels... when Farrah moved on into a 4-year-room a lady in waiting finally got to be an Angel, too.

So, it's nice when they bust out the hugs and the nice words and offer to help one another. It gives the class a sense of community and belonging. Two things I know MMO strives to provide.

Overall, I'm really enjoying the program and the students. I'm going to be there three days a week until May 22. Hooray.