“I Can Do It”

Michael🇬🇧

As a child growing up in the UK my mother had to take care of not only me but my two older siters so, learning to be independent was not only influenced by my countries culture but also by sheer necessity. On the other hand, children in China are, more often than not an only child or have one other sibling and are doted on by their Grandparents. In fact, one of the things that surprised me the most when I first arrived in China as a teacher was the fact that adults would call children babies, even up until the age of 5! 

Being a foreign teacher working in another country it is always important to take into account that every culture has its own views and opinions on how children should be raised and nurtured. However, one of the great things about being a Kindergarten teacher in any country is that you have the wonderful opportunity to observe children being themselves, free from cultural restraints and other worries that we as adults become burdened with. Children want to be independent, in fact they get a great amount of pride and joy when they can say to others, “Look at what I did”. As adults it is as easy for us to forget this; after all who among us can remember that sense of accomplishment we felt the first time we tied our own shoelaces.

In Pre-School C class all students are given the opportunity to develop a variety of life skills, from changing their own shoes to understanding how much water the classroom plants need each day. These skills are not taught during circle time using an electronic whiteboard or PowerPoint presentations. They are learnt through guidance and trial and error. If a child does not know how to do something I always tell them, “You try first”; in fact, the children love this expression so much that they often repeat it back to me when I ask them to do something for me! And if any mistakes are made while a child is trying something new, I always reassure them with the words, “it’s ok we all make mistakes, just try it differently next time.” 

Apart from the various life skills the children learn throughout the day they also have “Skill Time” in the morning. Teacher Kathy has done a wonderful job this week by setting up different areas in the classroom with activities to help improve fine motor skills. In the art zone the children can practice their paper folding and cutting skills. This also helps to improve focus and hand eye coordination. 

In the puzzle zone the children can practice the skills required to open and close a variety of different fastenings. These small little challenges are thing that we all take for granted and can probably, thanks to muscle memory, do with our eyes closed. For 3- to 4-year-olds playing with buttons, buckles, laces, Velcro and zippers in a safe controlled environment gives them the vital opportunity to become dexterous without getting into trouble for unzipping Mummy’s purse or opening their rabbits cage door. 

So, the next time you find yourself hovering over your child or grandchild while they are about to change their shoes, fight that urge to jump and help. Instead try to wait and watch, you will not regret or forget it when they look up at you and say, “I can do it”.