Joy and Heartache #solc24

She held up the little plastic dinosaur, her eyes sparkling and full of fun. “Is it a …cat?” I asked. “No!”, she shrieked with laughter, “its a dinosaur!” We played again a couple more times, each time my outrageous suggestions that the stegosaurus or the diplodocus were a dog or rabbit got similar reactions…. instant giggling and a loud clear “No”! She picked up the game quickly and now it was her turn to pick up a plastic animal (I think it was a horse) and, trying not to giggle, she asked, “is it a… dog?” On cue, I laughed and said “no!”, adding a head slap for greater effect. She looked on, delighted and tried again.

Almost 3 year olds have an almost magical quality about them. They are full of wonder, delight and fascination… endless energy and a sense of awe and amazement as they go about their lives. The impromptu game I played with my new little friend was delightful. She was right there in the moment with me- her whole little being laughing and playing along.

I came away from my morning of interacting with many shining eyed little 3 and 4 year olds, with a deep sense of gratitude and joy. How amazing that that which gives me so much joy is also what I get to call my job! As I recounted my morning when I got home, I couldn’t ignore the dull heartache I felt, like a knot in my chest, a sense of longing for years past, a simpler time, when my own children were that age. Soon to be in High School and Middle School, my own are long past the simplicity and utter joy of the genre of peek-a-boo games. Their joy looks and feels different these days – as it should. And as much as each age and stage has had a full circle of highs and lows, trials and tribulations and lots of love and laughter, that little preschool phase holds some of my fondest memories of my children and my role as their mother. I loved their energy, the mischief and laughter in their eyes, their joy at discovering something new or not being phased at something not working right away. I loved holding them and playing with them and listening to them giggle and snort.

I miss my little ones and that time so much it hurts.

Nomenclature #solc24

My name is Nitasha. The ‘t’ is pronounced as a soft ‘th’ sound. My students call me Ms. Nitasha. They have, for as long as I can remember. As a school leader, I spend time with lots of children- on the play ground, in classrooms, at assembly. The move from lots of focused time with my class of students to some time with many, many students took a long time to get used to. Now, I over see our Lower Elementary School which means that I get to spend a good deal of time with 3-8 year olds. They are all filled with wonder and curiosity, love coming to school, some learning how to push boundaries, others learning how to take turns or share. There is, literally, never a dull moment. Over the years my name has taken all manner of forms from Ms. Tasha, Ms Mitahsa, Missahsa… its tricky for many children learn to wrap their tongues around my three syllable name with a soft t.

Recently, we had new swings installed in out Early Childhood playground. Lets just say, they have been a HIT! So much so, that some friends have a hard time getting off and giving others a turn. The Kindergarteners agreed that when someone is using the swings, any friends waiting, can count to 20. They felt it was a was a fair way to ensure that everyone got a turn. Its not a perfect science because some are still learning to count but it is working well.

Yesterday, while I was on recess duty, I noticed the usual enthusiastic group of students waiting for their turn on the swings and chanting from 1-20. I was about to walk away from the swings when I noticed a little girl, standing some distance away. She was looking longingly at the swings. I walked up to her and knelt down and recognised her as one of the newest students. She is still learning to communicate in English- although her Japanese is very strong. I pointed to the swings and asked her if she might like to try. She gingerly nodded and took my hand. We walked over to a swing where the queue was only 2 children deep and I counted to 20. Then I counted to 20 again. Before she knew it, it was her turn. Her smile as she pushed her self off the ground was priceless.

This is what was waiting for me in my office this morning.

I think maybe, that little one enjoyed using the swings.