Day 1: Kindergarten Teacher Assistant

I woke up with fifteen minutes to get ready to sub for a teacher assistant at a local kindergarten class. When I arrived I found out that today would have been her "busy work" day, so I could look forward to six hours of making copies and cutting out hundreds of construction paper fish.

Being around kindergartners all day is refreshing. For example, I started off my morning listening to some songs. Most of them sort of ran together, but the set opener was that song where you learn all fingers and say to each other, "How are you today, sir?" and "Very well, I thank you," to the tune of Frere Jacques. I had it in my head until a fun little item that must be off the new album of kindergarten hits, "Dr. Seuss We Love You," brought down this one-woman house as I grooved in my seat while tracing my 38th fish.

Young kids also randomly get hurt or sick and seem to accept it as part of their daily lives. I was asked to escort two kids from the same class to the health room on two separate occasions. The first one was a little girl who suddenly vomited on the carpet. As we walked I asked her if she was sick or something, and she seemed more concerned with getting to go to the media center for story time later. Poor thing ended up having to go home, but I suppose there's always next story time...

The second time was a boy who got a little too rambunctious in the "dramatic play" center with one shoe off, and stubbed his shoeless toe, peeling his toenail back a bit. He hobbled beside me while I tried to keep him talking to keep his mind off the pain. Apparently this is the third time he's been to the health room "in a row". Not sure if he's using the expression wrong or if he really meant the last three days. Either way it sure does seem like a lot. He did make it back to class in time for the story.

Another great thing about kindergartners is that they're still young enough to "say the darnedest things". I enjoy answering their questions with the shortest answer possible in a completely not patronizing tone, the way I would answer a simple question of an adult friend. I just figure they get sick of being cooed at all day. I remember being suspicious of overly-smiley strangers at that age. Come to think of it, I still am.

My favorite interaction of the day was when I, lost in a snarl of brightly colored paper scraps, was approached by a diminutive kindergarten boy, dressed in a snazzy plaid button down shirt.

Boy: What's your name?
Me: Miss Inga
Boy: Miss Maria?
Me: No, Miss Inga.
Boy: Miss Inga?
Me: Yeah.
Boy: Oh. (beat) Nice hair!
Me: (looking up from scissors) Thanks.

He strolled away while maintaining eye contact, nodding with approval with a little smile on his face. As soon as he turned the corner I burst into chuckles.

All in all it was a good day in kindergarten. And I managed to cut out over 160 fish!