How Has a Teacher Impacted Your Child's Learning?

When my son was a preschooler, I learned he didn’t join in with the group during singing or movement time when I dropped off a forgotten lunch box. He sat and watched while all the other children sang and danced.

Why wasn’t he doing what the other kids were doing? Concerned, I asked his teacher about it.  She shared, “Maybe he’ll join in when he’s more comfortable.”  Then she described how he played in the block area and outdoors with intensely and seriousness, organizing complex working groups of spaceship builders and space travelers.  She said, “I would really like to see him has an adult. I think he’ll be pretty interesting.”   She invited me to come back and observe that part of the day if I wanted to.

I did go back and visit and I can still remember the sound of his voice as he called out his ideas to his classmates, “We’re building the spaceship!” “Now we’re ready to take off! ”  His friends seemed inspired by his energy and enthused about their play. 

I vaguely recall that he eventually did join in singing and dancing with the group.  But I have no specific memory of that.   What I do remember is the spaceship he built, the way he called out to his friends, and his teacher saying, “I’d really like to see him as an adult.  I think he’ll be pretty interesting.”

She highlighted what to pay attention to.  She showed that she valued his learning style and that I should too.  She focused not on what he wasn’t doing but on what he was doing.

She helped me understand him as a learner.

How has your child's teacher impacted your child's learning? Share with us below.