Why not?

As I was reading one of my books for one of my education classes I came across a little anecdote which I would like to share with you all.

"A parent was visiting the classroom of her child and was going to be helping out the teacher for the day. She saw some children trying to take things from the kitchen area, over to the carpeted area to, so that they could play with them over there. Her first instinct was to tell these children that the items in the kitchen area were meant to be played with in the kitchen area. However the classroom teacher stopped her and explained to her that it was her philosophy to first think why not? why should this activity or action be restricted? if she cannot come up with a good reason, she puts her reservations on hold for now"

I was reading this, I couldn't help but feel as though this would be a great thing to apply to a number of areas in our life. For example, if you're friends want you to do something silly (like say, chase each other across campus dressed as a monkey and a banana for example) and you cannot think of a good reason for why not, then do it! You only live once, and sometimes you need to do silly things in life, just because. It helps keep life interesting.

Of course this shouldn't only be applied to silly things, it can be applied to many different aspects of life. Such as trying a food that you have never tried before, or attempting an activity, or even dating. I know I'm definitely guilty on the not trying foods part, even though I have no good reason as to why I wont try it.

I'd like to think at the end of the day, I'll take my own advice. However like many things in my life, I struggle with it.

Their world.

      I spent the day in my Kindergarten classroom today. It was the first time I had been back since we left Shippensburg for winter break. I was a little nervous in coming back. I was worried the kids wouldn't remember me, or they would be mad at me for leaving. My worries vanished the instant that I set foot into the classroom, as I was greeted by the familiar hugs and exclamations of the children.

      This got me thinking about how much simpler the world is through the eyes of a Kindergartener. In their world, there aren't many problems that have a more difficult solution than simply listening to what they have to say. As long as you listen to what they have to say, let them tell you their secrets and help them out with things that they need help with, they love you unconditionally. Why can't we be more like them?

     I was also given an example of the extreme honesty that only Kindergarteners possess. While I was attempting to help out the classroom teacher in getting ready for a project they would be doing next week, one of the students came up to me and asked me if I had gotten a haircut(which I had gotten over break). I told her that I had and thanked her for noticing. She looked right at me and said "it looks weird." She didn't say this to be mean, and there was no malevolent intent behind the words, she was simply making an observation as only kindergarteners can do. I couldn't help but laugh, hey maybe it does look funny.

     I also got to be there for the magical experience that is Recess. This was by far my favorite part of school growing up, and something that these kids go absolutely crazy for. There is no greater motivator for getting work done, than Recess. As I watched the kids play(and was even roped into a couple of games of duck duck goose) I wondered what ever happened to Recess. I think we adults should have Recess. I don't mean to say we should all go outside and play on a playground(although I'm not discouraging the idea either) I simply mean that we should take 20-30 minutes of the day where we don't stress about things that need to be done. We stop worrying about homework, or tests, or the other challenges of life and simply "play."


     I think this is a large part of the reason as to why I want to be a Kindergarten teacher. It's partly because I enjoy being around young children, and I do want to help them to learn and grow. However my true reasons are much more selfish than that. I want to be a teacher because when you're in the classroom with those kids, all of the worries and problems of the world go away. For me, being in the classroom is my "play." It helps me to put things into perspective. Their world is a much simpler place, and it's a place that I'd like to spend the rest of my life....even if at the end of the day those problems will always be back.