My teaching diary


Trying to teach a four-and-a- half-year- old all that is expected of him to learn at his school in this age and time. 
I have no set rules and methods of teaching.  My only qualification is the experience of bringing up the daughter who is now 12. So with a memory dating back to that many years, I can’t help but compare my abilities then and now. I feel a clear difference in everything - my approach, the kid’s response, my patience and the kid’s.  Is it easier? No, it just makes me more nervous this time around. I could experiment in the daughter’s case, I could expect her to listen to me, I could even throw a tantrum when pushed to the wall!! But now, all this does not seem to be an option at all.  :D
Try teaching another’s child, especially when you are not a trained teacher!! Patience and tolerance! Did the daughter ever get to see these in me? I feel guilty even trying to remember.  So I ask her what she remembers of her years then. Thankfully, nothing that could make me feel guilty about.
Sada says his son’s school has asked for the boy to take tuitions. He is just four plus. I go to meet the teacher and she says the kid is restless and doesn’t take any instructions. He chooses to explore the school premises when the teacher tries singing them songs. I look at the copy books and am aghast seeing the ‘syllabus’! But hasn’t he written well for a four-year-old, I ask the teacher. I discuss with her her how burdened a kid his age must be feeling with so much to pick up so quickly. And then if she suggests tuitions it would mean another round of school. She says she does not have a say in it. So then I wonder what I could do to help. And finally ask Raju to bring him to me so I could do my bit the way I can, trying to make him enjoy what he is doing. But in my heart, I know that my main task is to teach him some simple things so the teacher feels no disturbance and starts appreciating the kid, which could motivate him further.

Day 1: 
He walks in and demands a car ride! He has no qualms about pulling things out, not bothering to respond or being unwilling to sit down for a minute. I see only confidence and comfort. Aren’t these two positive traits, I tell myself! That makes it easier for me to relax and be optimistic. I realise I have a tough task ahead. He writes a bit, eats a bit, feeds his father a bit while I make the most of this restlessness (he runs to his father to give him something) by trying to teach him some simple niceties like 'thank you' and 'please'. The father is amused. The kid is excited. But the school teachers want much more than this! So we also do a bit of A, B, C writing.
Day 2:  
I wait. No sign of the kid.
Me: He has holiday homework from school to do. I have just bought all the material he requires. We are off on a weekend trip. After we get back he may go on a holiday. Will I be able to complete all that I promised the teacher I would take care of?
I call the father. He says he is out shopping!
I need to chill too!



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