Children Are Our Future</i>
What does a teacher do? Well, a teacher teaches students math, reading, writing, and science. Is that all a teacher does? If asked this question five weeks ago, my response would have been a resounding, yes, a teacher makes sure that students learn all of the cognitive skills that are needed to complete school. Although this is surely a part of what teachers do, I have now realized after completing child development that a teacher has a more complex job than stated above. So, what makes teacher’s jobs more complex? The answer to this question is relatively simple, yet all too often overlooked. Children grow and develop not only cognitively, but they also develop in three additional areas which are the following: physically, emotionally, and socially. This means that it is not enough for teachers to only teach math, reading, writing, and science. It is their obligation to assist and further the development of students in all of their developmental areas. As a future educator, I will teach to all areas of child development so that I can educate the whole individual and not just the brain.
To begin with, a child’s physical development plays an important role in their lives. For years campaign ads have tried to convey the message that taking care of our bodies is important. For example, milk slogans read, “Milk, it does a body good.” And, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Because taking care of our bodies is essential for good health, I will not always reward my students with sweets and high fatty foods. Instead of rewarding students with food, I will reward them with stickers and words of praise. I also feel that exercise is important for physical development, and as a result I will try to never take away a child’s recess for disciplinary problems. I will try to find other times to deal with negative issues that will come my way. I also feel that students need to be constantly participating and moving around in the classroom so that they do not become fatigued and bored. Therefore, I will plan lessons that involve the students to actively move around, and I will also give the students jobs, jobs such as being a paper collector, line leader, and so on. A child’s adult health and good physical condition relies heavily on their early physical development, and because of this fact, I will do everything in my power to help students obtain a healthy lifestyle.
Just as physical development is vital for children; their emotional development also plays an essential part to their overall well being. How we feel about ourselves affects how we walk, how we perform, and how we feel about life. I want all of my students to feel successful and I want all of them to feel important, so I will make sure that I compliment them throughout the day. Positive reinforcement builds self-esteem. Plus, not only will I verbally give them praise, I will also write little notes conveying how much I enjoy having that child in my class. When I hand back their graded work, I will have positive comments written upon them. Furthermore, I want to also create an environment in my classroom that is comfortable for all, where everybody feels safe. I will let my students know that if they ever need to talk to me about anything my door is always open and I will be there to listen to them. Lastly, I want all of my students to not only respect me but I want respect to be amongst them as well. I will not allow name calling to enter my classroom, or any negative remarks about the other students. I will not allow fighting to take place within my jurisdiction. All of these strategies must be followed if a positive emotional climate will reign inside my classroom.
After making sure that I am helping my students be physically and emotionally well off, I will also make sure that my students are developing properly socially. I understand that I cannot force students to get along and be friends, but I will do everything in my power to allow for social situations to occur. I know that group work is an excellent way for socialization. I will have group projects throughout the year so that each student can get to know everyone in the class. I will choose the groups, but I will choose them so that by the end of the year, everyone has worked with everyone. Not only will I have group work, but I will also have classroom discussions. Hearing other people’s views on certain subjects is enlightening and allows the students to understand someone just a little bit better. These two methods will allow my students to develop socially.
In closing, because children develop socially, physically, emotionally, and cognitively, it is critical that as a future teacher I teach to all of these areas. I cannot just provide them with book smarts. I must also allow movement to take place, interactions between students needs to happen, and I must create a safe and inviting atmosphere where my students feel comfortable being every single day. The quote that reads, “Children are one third of our population and all of our future,” is so true that if I do not do my job correctly and to the best of my ability, then the future will not look very bright or hopeful. I must teach to the whole individual and not just to the brain.Graphic found at the following locations:
http://www.wellesley.edu/Chemistry/Chem101/brain/fig5_02.jpg
http://www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/sense_of_place/schools/images/children_playing_270.jpg
http://www.wisebuybooks.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/2966.gif
http://www.freehalloweenscreensavers.net/downloads/children.jpg
http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v5n2/ganzel/9.jpg
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