As an early childhood education major at the University of Cincinnati, I began my student teaching experience this fall semester. I had the opportunity to student teach in a preschool classroom everyday. Going into the experience I was worried about how I was going to handle 15 three, four, and five year olds everyday however I came out of the experience crying when I had to leave the children. Before preschool practicum I would have never thought I would want to spend any part of my career dealing with children in pre-k. However, this semester has shifted my thoughts on the matter for the better.
Throughout the year I formed strong, valuable relationships with the teachers and all of the kids in the class. Watching the children start school in August and grow as learners all the way into December, it was amazing to see all that preschoolers are capable of. Their minds are able to imagine magical things and their creativity soars. It is a child’s job to play and let me be first to tell you they are damn good at it. From the dramatic play area to the writing center, children are able to think of situations and creations that are unexpected all throughout the classroom. Children gravitate towards particular interests and events that are personal to their lives and will bring these experiences into their play to bring to life. Children at this age are egocentric and you are able to see a sense of pride in themselves most of the time.
It is just wrong to lower standards for children. Hold them to high expectations and goals and they will achieve it. Having spent a quick 3 months with the same children everyday, it was amazing to see them gain the ability to write their names, recognize numerals, and begin to read. Preschoolers have super powers that allow them to develop at amazing speeds. Seeing the children become excited about the smallest accomplishments such as learning to write a new letters, is what life is all about. It’s the little things.
Whoever thinks preschoolers are just children, you are wrong. They are children but so much more. There is something new everyday and they no doubted keep life interesting. Everyday I was so amazed with each child’s capabilities and their imaginations. Their minds can take them wherever they please and life is so carefree. The world is limitless in the mind of a preschooler.
