Last night I got an enjoyable look at my daily life as a teacher, while watching my daughter participate in a sports class for 4 to 6 year olds!  Every day I am lucky enough to spend my hours with 5 and 6 year olds.  Yep!  Kindergarten!  And although I am there every day and I know what I say and what they say, and how they act and how I act is was interesting and entertaining to see “myself” in action!

I was watching this coach try and teach an intro to soccer class to about twelve 4 or 5 year olds when I realized that I was kind of watching me.  I found myself smiling the whole time, and not just because I was a proud momma enjoying watching her daughter play and do a good job, but because I was seeing my daily conversations and interactions happening before my eyes.

Some verbal examples I could totally relate to..

Coach: Ok boys and girls I am going to see who is here.  When I call your name raise your hand.  Nolan?

No answer

Coach:  Is Nolan here?

4/5 yr old:  No one?  There are people here.  How can no one be here?

AND

Coach: We are going to play soccer today but every week we will practice a new sport in this gym.  What other sports do you think we will play in here?

4/5 yr old: Swimming!

Coach:  Well swimming is a sport but we will have a hard time swimming without water.  Any other sports you can think of?

4/5 yr old: You have to be nice.

Coach: Yes it is very important to be nice.  Any other sports?

I also enjoyed/could relate to the very explicit and repeated instructions the coach gave as well as the familiar hand gestures and phrases us primary teachers use.

The coach did a great job and I appreciated his ability to command a gym full of 4-5 year olds successfully without anyone getting hurt, lost, or crying, all the while trying to not “lose it” himself.

It seemed like all the parents got a kick out of it but apparently I seemed to be enjoying it a bit more because my husband made a comment about my continual smiling and chuckling.

“Welcome to my world!” is all I could say.

Welcome to my truly wonderful, amazing world.