Time to Reflect on the Year

This seems to be the time of year I often step back and reflect on the growth of my own children and the children I teach. I think it's the teacher in me that sees May and June as times to think about the past year and begin to form goals for the following year.

Every time I take time to do this I am always amazed at how much children grow in 9 months (Sept.-May). It may be as simple as learning to zip their coat or as complex as learning to use the bathroom independently. No matter how major or minor the growth is, it is still important to acknowledge and celebrate.

As a teacher, I often find this time of year a little bittersweet. I so enjoy the time I spend with these young people and it can be hard to say good-bye when the school year comes to a close. However, when I look back over the year I can't help but feel such a sense of pride for them. They truly grow so much in that time. I haven't been teaching preschool the past six years, but I have been teaching parent-child classes. This is such a treat! I not only get to see the children grow, but the parents grow as well. What could be better than that?!?!

Of course, I grow tremendously every year as a teacher as well. With every group of children and parents I spend time with I learn a little something (and sometimes a lot of something!).

As I see my own children complete a year in school, I often sit back and just wonder where the time is going. It can be so easy to get hung up on the sadness of leaving these stages of time, but it can also be so exciting to see all that they are accomplishing. I often have to remind myself that this is one of the most rewarding parts of raising children: watching them become so independent and capable.

Talk to your children (your own or your students) about how much they have grown this year.
"Remember when you were first learning how to read in fall and all those letters looked so confusing. Now look what you're doing! You worked so hard all year on this. You should be so proud of yourself!"
"Remember when you didn't know how to do the monkey bars, but you wanted to so bad? You spent so much time looking at them and attempting them. After so much determination and growing, you can do it now."
"Remember at the beginning of school you didn't want me to leave you? Now you don't even notice me when I come to get you!"

Do this with yourself as well...we sometimes really need this as parents and teachers. We can be so hard on ourselves. Try to focus on what has gone well and then gradually begin to form goals for yourself for growth.

Most of all, enjoy the time you have with your children (your own and/or the children you teach) whether it's the first day of school or the last, or they're 9 months old or 9 years old. The time goes by fast...