You're Hungry All the Time!

"A teacher?  Why do you want to be a teacher when you grow up?  You should be a lawyer or a doctor."

I used to hear something similar to that.  The only difference was at the time I wasn't trying to be a teacher.     Perhaps if I had listened to the voices around me and went into law or medicine, I wouldn't be here sharing my stories with you.  I would definitely be making more money, but would I have been happy?  Who knows?  I'm not here to tell you about my journey into teaching.  That would probably bore you and make you want to yank out your teeth (or tell me to take a flying leap).  However, before I begin my story, I just want to give some advice.  Never crush a child's hopes and dreams.  You never know where it will take them.  If anything, nurture it and help it grow into something phenomenal.  They'll thank you for it later.

The kiddies and I were sitting in a circle (Yes, I was sitting on the floor and getting down to their level. ) and we were brainstorming about all the things we would like to write about.  Our discussion went from vampire kittens (I didn't know they existed, but the kids were enamored with this subject...must be something new) to subjects that were very close to our hearts (like family, friends, etc.).  Well, there is one little angel who is quite obsessed with one subject.  Let's just say she reminds of the Swedish Chef (from The Muppets).

Me:  Boys and girls!  Sometimes it's hard coming up with a subject to write about.  Today we're going to create a bulletin board in our class to make it easier for us to find a subject to write about.  We'll call it our Brainstorming Bulletin Board.  What are some things you might enjoy writing about?  I'll start with one.  How about a trip to Six Flags?

Child #1:  Vampire kittens.  I like them!

Me:  Vampire kittens?  Is there such a thing?  Ok... (with a look of fear in my eyes)

Child #2:  How about alien babysitters!

Child #3:  What you want to be when you grow up!

Me:  Okay.  We have some good ideas here.

Child #4:  Fairies and princesses.

Swedish Chef:  How about bakers?

Me:  Okay.

Child #5:  Wrestlers?

Child #6:  Video games?

Swedish Chef:  Cookies (at this point I'm starting to look at her sideways and wondering if she's hungry)?

Child #7:  Cars.

At this point the Swedish Chef starts calling out.

Swedish Chef:  Magic pies! 

Child #8:  OH BOY! You must be hungry all the time! You're always talking or writing about food!

Me:  Well, we are brainstorming about things we enjoy or would like to write about.

Child #8:  But she is always talking about eating!

Swedish Chef:  Ms. Daley, I like to eat and I like to cook!  I want to be a baker when I grow up.

At this point I could have looked her up and down with the stank face and said, "We can tell!"  Or say, "You should be a lawyer or a doctor."  Of course, like any good teacher/parent I helped nurture that seed of hers, told her that I was positive that she would make a great baker some day and that she can do anything she sets her mind to.

I attempted to make you smile and giggle a little.  I hope I did. But I also wanted to make you think about the effect some of your words and actions have on young, impressionable minds.  So remember...never crush a child's hopes and dreams.  You never know where it will take them.  If anything, nurture it and help it grow into something phenomenal.  They'll thank you for it later.