Dramatic Successes at Pre K Camp
Perhaps the most dramatic success this
summer was Troy and Eric, 2 young brothers from Cambodia. They had never
participated in any type of program outside of their home. They
knew very little English and were not used to taking direction from
anyone other than a family member.
The first day of camp they clung to their
sister's hand and did not want to attend class. They ran away when an
aide tried to get them to join the class as they walked in a line to
their classroom. They would not sit on the carpet when the class
sang songs or did whole group activities. An adult had to sit with
them constantly to modify their behavior so that they could simply
participate in the day's activities.
As days passed, the boys came to
understand the classroom routine and, little by little, they acquired
some impulse control and began to understand what was expected of them.
Through activities such as playing with playdough, painting and water
play, they experienced the wonder of what the classroom had to offer
them. Their enthusiasm for school grew each day as they explored
each new activity that was presented to them. Each morning they
would run up to the teacher with big smiles on their faces, ready to
start their day. It gave the teacher great satisfaction knowing
that when the brothers started kindergarten in the fall, they would know
that school was a fun, exciting place to be and that they did not need
to be afraid. They would be comfortable with the daily routine and
ready to learn the academic skills necessary to thrive in the classroom
environment.
Angel was a second language learner who
had not had many opportunities to play with other children. He was
very excited about being at school and was eager to participate in all
of the activities that the Pre-K camp had to offer. However, when
he wanted a toy or wanted to join in an activity that was already full
of other children, he would simply take the toy away or push another
child out of the way so he could take that space. If there was a
pile of small counting manipulatives on the table for a few children to
share, he would scoop up the entire pile and not allow anyone else to
use them. The teacher was constantly bringing more toys out and
trying to show Angel that there were enough toys for everyone. But
he was still having a hard time realizing that he could share with the
other kids.
One day, during class time, the children
were learning about colors and beginning to count. A teacher worked with
Angel and another child, asking Angel to pick out 2 yellow trucks and
then the other child to pick out 2 red trucks, and then one blue truck
for Angel and one blue truck for the other child. Then Angel was
asked to pick out 2 red trucks and give one of them to the other child,
which he did. The other child was asked to pick out 2 green trucks
and give one of them to Angel. The boys enjoyed the game and
began playing on their own together, counting and sharing the trucks
until the whole pile was split up between them. When it was time
to clean up the boys worked together putting the trucks away.
Later when it was time to go outside to
play the teacher noticed Angel and his new friend lined up next to each
other, planning some games they would play together outside. Angel
was beginning to understand the fun of sharing with someone and the
possibilities that lie ahead when you had a friend to share them with.
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