Whats The Point Anyway?!

When you have a hard job, more than anything, you want to know you are making a difference. Whether it is motherhood, doctor, president, social worker, actor, writer, or pre-school teacher, when the day/week/month/year has been especially arduous, you just need to KNOW that the stress, guilt, pain, time, energy is WORTH it, that the world is a better place because of what you do.

I can't tell you how many times lately I have asked myself, "GOOD GOD, THIS JOB IS SO HARD, WHY AM I DOING THIS? DO I REALLY WANT TO DO THIS AS MY CAREER? THESE KIDS AREN'T EVEN GONNA REMEMBER HOW I LET THEM PICK THEIR FAVORITE COLOR TO PAINT ANYWAY SO WHAT IS THE POINT AND THEY ARE NEVER NEVER NEVER GONNA REMEMBER TO SIT WHILE THEY EAT ANYWAY."

And then ... I have three (HOLY CRAP, THREE!) more new kids starting on Monday. To go along with my new kid that started this week. And the new kid last week. And the new kid every week or so for 3 or so weeks. Lots of new kids. On Monday, my class will officially be at 14, and 7 started within the last month.

New kids are a great thing. It really means that people have heard good things about my school and are willing to entrust us with the most precious, beloved, important people in their life. Nevertheless, it's one of the most challenging things. Building a bond, helping the child feel safe and loved. You can imagine. I can't begin to really teach the child anything until they feel safe and loved.

Good thing they are so darn cute and easy to love.

But I have had this nagging concern that it doesn't matter. A study of not too long ago showed that the academic advantages of Headstart Programs made no significant overall, long-term academic difference and that makes me worry. Maybe I should be encouraging mothers to stay home with their kids. If pre-school doesn't make their lives better, we need to fnd out what WILL and DO THAT. Right?

But I am madly in love with the Montessori philosophy of education. It is beautiful and elegant and feels so right. I love watching a child concentrating on an activity, mastering it, perfectly absorbed and disciplined. I love the emphasis on peacefulness and self-discipline and kindness. My classroom is much tidier than my home ...

So I have been torn and conflicted. My understanding that pre-school doesn't REALLY matter and my feelings that it HAS to have significant impact.OR WHY AM I DOING IT?

Then I got this link to an NPR podcast and my energy and faith and enthusiasm has been refilled.

Pre-school helps especially with the kids who really really need some help. The studies show SIGNIFICANT advantages all the way up to adulthood. My love and attention and clever North-American-Countries-To-The-Tune-of-Jingle-Bells helps my babies stay out of jail, earn more money, and be more successful with interpersonal interactions. It makes sense. All day long, I remind them to be kind, be quiet, be soft, be gentle, be careful. I tickle them and smile at them. At nap time, I rub their backs and massage their brains or feet. When they are so frustrated they have no words, I loan them them some. When all they can do is scream and cry, I give them space or hugs and remind them to breathe. "Shhh, it's okay. I know. It's hard. You're okay."

At school, they learn a million naughty things they probably wouldn't have picked up if they stayed home with mom or dad, but they also get an opportunity to find themselves, separate from mom and dad. In my class, I try to give them every opportunity to DO and CHOOSE. Last week, I taught them "Squeezing Oranges" and they got to drink their own fresh juice. They really loved that. They love to put paint on a brush and create. I make them bring their own blanket to their mat to lay down and sleep. I remind them to pee and blow their noses and wash their hands so that someday, they will be able to take care of themselves.

AND IT MATTERS! It DOES make a difference. Not just today, but it matters for always.

They said every dollar invested in quality pre-school programs comes back 30 times. I am much happier.

The things Maria Montessori discovered a hundred years ago are being proven over and over again. Children who maybe don't have the awesomest home life can really use a good pre-school. That period of time from birth to maybe 6 sets a person up. If you don't learn how to BE with people, it is harder and harder to teach later AND pretty much impossible to train into an adult.

I'm not saying put your babies in daycare. I'm saying a quality program for a 2-4 hours every weekday, a consistent routine in a safe and enriching environment is probably a good thing for you pre-school age child.

And I'm gonna try to help.

I think it's the best way I can contribute to world peace.