Someone recently asked me when I would be retiring or if I at least was thinking about it.
Without hestitation I replied, "I'm working until I can't anymore."
Why?
The answer is simple because I don't consider what I do everyday as work.
My choice of careers comes from my deep commitment to making certain that, with my team of teachers, we provide the best possible preschool experience for our youngest citizens.
Each day, as I engage in my craft, I never lose sight of two important things; to keep my sense of wonder and to bear in mind that
the early years have a formative impact on development in all aspects; relationships, emotional health, self regulation, cognitive function. Poor care and nurturing in the formative years can have devestating effects on brain develepment and emotional function.
How do I stay passionate about my work?
I've never lost my sense of wonder and I believe that is what keeps me connected to the children.
Children are amazed by the smallest of things; a bug crawling across a leaf, a budding flower, a first mark on a piece of paper, the first snow fall. The things that most adults have long forgotten how to appreciate.
I see the world through their eyes and I am amazed each and every time I am with them.
I am moved when I enter the classroom and they greet me with excitement ready to share their stories and their latest work. I listen attentively to their adventures, both real and imagined, I appreciate their sense of humour, I wipe a tear from their cheek, take a tissue to a runny nose and sit with them to share a lunch. I readily leave a pile of paperwork on my desk and trade it for a morning of messy clay or time spent in the loose part studio.
After all what's the hurry?
Nothing is as important as the small eyes that seek you out, the tiny voice that calls to you or the deep sense of gratification that comes from knowing that in the smallest, yet most profound way, you are making an impact on another life.
I recently became a grandmother and being with my grandson has rekindled my commitment to the betterment of educating and nuturing young children.
We can never lose sight of the fact that we must not only nuture their minds but also their souls.
So keep your sense of wonder and live through the eyes of a child!
Without hestitation I replied, "I'm working until I can't anymore."
Why?
The answer is simple because I don't consider what I do everyday as work.
My choice of careers comes from my deep commitment to making certain that, with my team of teachers, we provide the best possible preschool experience for our youngest citizens.
Each day, as I engage in my craft, I never lose sight of two important things; to keep my sense of wonder and to bear in mind that
the early years have a formative impact on development in all aspects; relationships, emotional health, self regulation, cognitive function. Poor care and nurturing in the formative years can have devestating effects on brain develepment and emotional function.
How do I stay passionate about my work?
I've never lost my sense of wonder and I believe that is what keeps me connected to the children.
Children are amazed by the smallest of things; a bug crawling across a leaf, a budding flower, a first mark on a piece of paper, the first snow fall. The things that most adults have long forgotten how to appreciate.
I see the world through their eyes and I am amazed each and every time I am with them.
I am moved when I enter the classroom and they greet me with excitement ready to share their stories and their latest work. I listen attentively to their adventures, both real and imagined, I appreciate their sense of humour, I wipe a tear from their cheek, take a tissue to a runny nose and sit with them to share a lunch. I readily leave a pile of paperwork on my desk and trade it for a morning of messy clay or time spent in the loose part studio.
After all what's the hurry?
Nothing is as important as the small eyes that seek you out, the tiny voice that calls to you or the deep sense of gratification that comes from knowing that in the smallest, yet most profound way, you are making an impact on another life.
I recently became a grandmother and being with my grandson has rekindled my commitment to the betterment of educating and nuturing young children.
We can never lose sight of the fact that we must not only nuture their minds but also their souls.
So keep your sense of wonder and live through the eyes of a child!
