After another week of teaching I've been noticing a few things. It seems that with every group I take around to the stations of farm craft, there are one or two sweet and inquisitive children that make me smile and think, "I want a daughter/son just like you." It's a thought I've had more frequently as I approach 30: thinking about kids and how I would teach them and the sorts of activities and lessons I would take them through. I've also noticed that the few names I can remember often times are these - though I have been trying to learn more than a couple names. These also tend to be the kids that ask me a one-on-one question about something, or show me a little lady bug or flower they found. I think it's just those paternal feelings starting to appear from time to time.
Another thing I've noticed is how exhausted I am after the daily events. In the hours after a Farmcraft, all I want to do is sit back in a chair and rest in the serene silence. I never realized how draining it could be!
It's good though, and it's what I expected in the beginning: good but tiring - such is grad school and such is life.
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Little children are energy suckers. My hat is off to classroom teachers. I have known for a while now that although I love the times that I am teaching I don't see myself as someone who would want to spend all day with kids in a classroom for that reason. There are some really sweet moments though and it is fun to see life through their perspectives for short amounts of time.
ReplyDeleteYou get tired after a few hours with young ones at farm craft - Wait till you are a parent different story totally. The first year or two, or more than one young one equates to lack of sleep for extended periods of time.
ReplyDeleteWith little ones there seems to be no silence.
I know where you're coming from Jason. Amy and I are thinking about having kids in the next year or two, and I can't help but think of this practicum as a bit of parenting practice. I can't wait to teach my children as they grow up.
ReplyDeleteFortunately, I don't feel too terribly fatigued after a program, but I'm sure Matt is right that this is nothing compared to real live child rearing!