I had started Morning Glorie as a preschool and daycare in Gurgaon way back in 2011 with my mother. TBH, we did not have any idea of the nitty gritty of how the industry worked. I did not even have kids of my own. The only thing we knew was that we loved having kids around, and we wanted to support young parents in their journey - with a soft spot for especially helping young moms go back to work.
We started, we grew, we stumbled along the way, and we learnt.
Now, with 9+ years as a caregiver-educator, I have come a long long way. Interacting with children in the age group of 3 months to 12 years has given me a lot to learn, a lot of perspective, a lot of patience, and an insight into the beautiful bond which a child shares with their educator.
May I add, this is a two-way street.
My own observations and learning - from my interaction with the children, as well as feedback from their parents?
The Educator has to take the First Step
For a child coming to daycare for the first time (and this could start as early as 6 months), or school (at the age of 2 or 3 years), or even changing grades as they grow older, the teacher is for the most part, a stranger. A smaller child is for the first time leaving the secure environment of their home, and an older one is leaving the secure environment (when done right) and bond formed with another educator.
It is the educator's responsibility to initiate that bond, and give their ward a warm and secure environment to come into.
Trust me, it's the one mantra I have worked with, and it has helped me create some wonderful memories and journeys with all my babies.
Trust is a Two-Way Street
As a teacher, this is one of my key takeaways. While I work hard in forming a bond with each of my babies and gaining their trust, it will never work if I do not reciprocate that trust.
Learn to Listen
As adults, we often end up speaking to or at our children, without hearing them back. Communication is a two-way street - we must listen to the children under our care. And while their verbal communication is important, non-verbal communication forms an even more important part which we must learn to read.
The Role of an Educator
It is only once the above mentioned steps are taken care of by an educator, that a beautiful bond is formed, and a wonderful journey begins. When this happens, an educator becomes a very important person in a child's life - they become a friend, a confidante and a mentor all rolled into one. At this stage, an educator can have a lot of influence on a child's little mind. As an educator, I have learnt to take this responsibility as a privilege.
It is for this reason, I have seen parents often approaching us when they need help in understanding their child and when they face issues in communicating with their child. In something as basic as getting a child to brush their teeth twice a day, a teacher's role becomes important in influencing the child. Or getting them to eat healthy. Or speaking with them when they have any problems which they are unable to discuss with their parents.
Age really is no bar here. I have had beautiful relationships with my own teachers over the years, whose input I have valued above everyone else's. Today, I just understand better how they would have felt all those years ago.
As a teacher, I feel involved, while being able to maintain an objectivity. It may be tough at times, but it has to be done. And I have learnt that whenever I falter, it helps to start the whole process again.
I also find that the responsibility which comes with being a teacher does not end just because schools are closed. The bond we form with the children continues, and our role as a mentor and friend does not end with this. We feel it happen during our online preschool classes now that we are not able to meet the kids, it is the feedback our parents give us too. If anything, we are now more responsible than before, because we now have the added responsibility of supporting our parents from a distance.
The Role of Our Children
I have always maintained that our babies are our biggest teachers, it continues to be true even today. Everything we do as teachers, is shaped by our children. And their trust in us is our biggest reward.
To many more years of this beautiful journey...
Comments
Post a Comment