As a teacher, it really hit the nail on the head to hear Joanna discuss different rollercoasters that it seems every teacher may struggle with. We really aren't perfect and some days will be just "those days" where you just let go of the lesson plan and divert to keep everyone calm. In my classroom, I really try my best to be fearlessly authentic. Some days 14 2 year olds running around really just drain me but it's very important to still be present for them. They're still so vulnerable and young and who knows what's going on at home so we don't want to withdraw from their emotional piggy banks! Anytime a child calls my name, I acknowledge them, whether it's a tower they built, a difficult puzzle they figured out, or even putting on their shoe, you can immediately see their smile and happiness when you praise them. Other times, I have 2/3 kids attached to my leg crying by the afternoon because they're just done and that's okay. I get down to their eye level and talk to them and let them know it's okay to be sad we can take a moment and relax and usually that'll do the trick!
My favorite activities to do when everyone is close to the edge are playing with bubbles, dancing, or I just start whispering. Once they see the whispering they also quiet down to hear what I'm saying. What other activities do you guys do in your classroom to calm everyone down
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LenaNguyen
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