What Have We Learned?

· What I have learned for the students at St. Mary’s is that if you as a teacher is having as much fun as possible, they will have as much fun as possible too. You can spin everything into a fun way with the children and they will loosen up to you more and more. Some examples were when I as was with the Pre-K and had my Santa Claus hat on and pretended that the children were reindeers and we went around delivering presents. Making things that are out of the ordinary into a fun game is what they are looking for. No games seemed inappropriate that were taught to the children.
Working with the PRE-K is easier and a better experience in some ways because you have to work harder to do things that the children will understand, and the games can seem farfetched and boring. However, there is more you can do with the PRE-K because they are always ready to try things. The older students do what they like and won’t listen to you because they don’t know you. However, you don’t have to think up things as much and not so much as on the spot, they like common sports.

In the fine motor skills area, the younger children seemed to have more problems with eating as in dropping their food and making as mess, also missing the garbage pail and when they played the simple games they had trouble in such as connect four in being able to put the correct colors in the spot they wanted. We as Physical Educators can work on hand-eye coordination with the students, to understand limitations and how things move to help the students fine motor skills

Getting on the Children's Level

Some of the challenges that I have faced recently has been the cooperation of the children. It all depends on the day that we happen to catch the children on and depending on the game. If the previous labs have had a similar game to the one’s we are playing then they lose interest and make it difficult to keep the kids in line and attentions spans run short. Also, the age differences that are within the groups that we work with, who can make it difficult to keep all the children interested in the game. In the beginning of the time spent at St. Mary’s the nerves and the lack of knowledge with the children also made it difficult for most in both lab groups. However, after going there a few times and learning more about the children it has become easier and more comforting
I think that we should all get more on the children’s level, get to be more like them so that they will get more excited about the games that we are excited about the game. Make them think that since the teacher who is just like them likes the game then it must be fun so they will want to play. However, even though we want to make them play in the games that we are making them seem more fun, we also need to have that teacher-student relationship, where we have the control and they have respect. Don’t be afraid to open up and let them know, and keep control.