“Let them be little.” These four simple words carry a powerful message that is crucial for our children’s development, and it’s a sentiment that educators must remember.
As a first-grade teacher, I witness firsthand how much time our students spend seated—almost seven hours a day with just a fleeting 20 minutes for recess. I’ve respectfully advocated for longer breaks, even pleading for an additional ten minutes to allow for two fifteen-minute recesses. The response? A firm reminder that our schedule is mandated to include only a 20-minute recess. Despite presenting research on the importance of gross motor skills, focus, and the overall benefits of increased unstructured play, I was told that any deviation could lead to disciplinary action. So, we occasionally resort to “outdoor learning” as a workaround.
Yet recess isn’t the only area of concern. We’re gradually reducing free play in classrooms, eliminating activities that aren’t strictly “standards-based.” While I truly admire teachers’ creativity in connecting lessons to educational standards, shouldn’t we have the freedom to craft a Groundhog Day hat simply for the joy of it? Isn’t it vital for children to find excitement in school? They should wake up eager to discover what awaits them in the classroom.
Of course, we can create engaging educational stations or vocabulary games, but we should also feel free to engage in a fun craft project without worrying that our kids can’t articulate the related standard on the spot.
Moreover, by limiting enjoyable experiences in school, we might be depriving our students of valuable opportunities they may not have at home. It’s astonishing to hear children say they don’t have markers or have never tried making a necklace. Watching a child struggle with tape is eye-opening (seriously, Jamie… you need to connect those two things with tape, not just stick it to one piece of paper!).
When I ask my students what they plan to do on a warm day, too often I hear, “I’ll be playing video games” or “I’ll be on my iPad.” Many kids today aren’t enjoying simple pleasures like puzzles or arts and crafts with glitter and feathers. As technology becomes increasingly integrated into our lives, I worry we may be losing the essence of childhood.
Recently, we proudly paraded our Groundhog Day hats, and thankfully, no one questioned us. But I still felt the need to justify our craft by explaining how it connects to our upcoming weather tracking journals. When I run into administrators and they ask, “Where are the kids?” I can’t help but respond with a hint of sarcasm, “Ah, they’re just coloring,” even though I know they’re doing much more than that.
Parents, celebrate your children’s creativity. Display their artwork prominently; it boosts their confidence and benefits their teachers. Childhood should be a time of joy, and we must champion that.
And if you’re interested in more insights about family planning and fertility, check out our blog on couples’ fertility journeys. For those considering at-home options, our at-home intracervical insemination syringe kit is a trusted resource. Additionally, for comprehensive information on pregnancy and home insemination, visit WebMD’s page on IUI success.
In summary, it’s essential that we allow our children to enjoy their youth, both at home and in educational settings. By fostering creativity and play, we can nurture a generation that values happiness and exploration.
Leave a Reply