It is Tuesday and time to write a 'Slice of Life."
Thank you Two Writing Teachers for creating this supportive community
of teacher-writers!
I’ve been thinking wistfully about the preschool classroom, remembering how children learned to listen to one another.
Why is my mind on preschool?
My heart is heavy from an acrimonious meeting with adults. Those who spoke first essentially determined the agenda. The most emphatic discussion was about whether Robert’s Rules were being followed. People were silenced in the interest of rule-following. So much good community feeling was whittled away, as folks tripped over small procedural details. A few people spoke up over and over and over again; the quiet folks stayed mute; everyone was exhausted by the meeting’s end.
Dare I say, this was a church meeting?
Just ugly.
Now, our congregation is working on healing.
Add my voice to the chorus of voices who say that Robert’s Rules are not very equitable. (Here’s one, if you’re interested.)
Preschoolers learn ‘coming together’ means listening to varied perspectives. We need to participate with open minds…and extend grace to one another.
deciding together preschool circle time all of us together teacher as mediator traffic light safety patrol guide alongside tears laughter squeals shrieks wiggles jumps ups d o w n s nonstop unpredictable movement someone can’t sit still another squirrels away there’s a twosome chatting rolling playing with each other oh, and you! so frustrated you weren’t called first oops! someone needs to go to the bathroom worst, they already did oh my how am I to introduce the ‘big idea’ of the day? how will we make decisions together? this is how the year begins this is the teaching three year olds learning how to be together and always at some imprecise point after circling up several times in a day every single school day this learning suddenly falls into place there is magic our community working together (hopefully, the calendar says October, not June) why do the children know why do the children show why do the children sow community better than adults? they greet one another look at one another give space to one another take turns talking wait their turn moderate one’s voice listen to and consider ideas of others build on a friend’s ideas make decisions together they trust community
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I’m sorry to hear about the acrimonious adult meeting. That sounds awful. On the other hand, the poem you’ve written is wonderful. I love the way you’ve played with line placement – it gives the poem motion and a playfulness that echoes the way I imagine preschoolers during circle time. Fun and important.
Your connection is very real and your poem captures the joy and tolerance we adults have often lost.
Maureen, Maureen, Maureen. I’m sitting with you in solidarity on the acrimonious meetings that get lost in the legalities of rules where things otherwise could be so friendly and productive. So many times, I consider the differences between spirituality and denomination, and the politics of church, so well-intentioned, are often the bullet in the foot. I’m so sorry. Yes, yes. Preschool is the place where kids are quick to step out of line but as quick to forgive, and so much more mendable than adults. I love your poem. It takes such interesting shapes that add to the dimension of the mood and attitude adjustments.
Maureen,
I can’t say I’m surprised the vitriolic meeting happened at church. I agree Roberts Rules of Order aren’t equitable,. They are sexist, racist, and designed to be contentious. I’m sorry your church lapsed into the hurtful conversations, but I know if there are enough people like you there healing will happen. Your poem is beautiful and an important reminder we really did learn the most important lessons as young children.
Maureen – I have attended very similar meetings (with a group of educators of gifted children). I thought I was the only. one. I started my career teaching pre-schoolers and I agree with you – they are adept at reaching out and building community. Thanks for this. I don’t feel so alone now!
Wow, Maureen, this is so beautiful. Yes, Robert’s Rules are exhausting. And not in the sweet “our community working together” way of preschooler exhaustion. Your poem is beautiful on the page, like a very tall stack of blocks, strong, yet fragile, and always rebuildable…like the community we build in class.