I have always loved school; that's probably what led me to be a teacher. I have been hoping that the girls would get the same "high" from school that I typically did, but have been quiet about it overall. Today, I saw in Jenica the feeling that made me love school.
I thought she was going to turn inside out when I picked her up today. She was bursting with pride. I was too, but managed to simply compliment her on her obvious hard work.
Write a report AND get to do a "Sculpy "figurine to go with it?! Cool!
And... um, I don't remember being able to do this stuff when I was only 6. I think I was doing phonics worksheets... or some other worksheet... and still thinking that was pretty good (mostly because they smelled so good! -- ahhh, the mimeograph machine... how I miss ya).
But all this gets me thinking. I know that as a society we are pushing our kids to do more and more these days, earlier and earlier. All in the name of ??? Being competitive? Staying "current" with our international competitors? And granted, young kids are capable of amazing things, much earlier than we give them credit for. However, I think what's truly important and something to pay attention to and keep in sight is this: where does the motivation to be great come from? When the child is motivated from within... to push themselves, to see what happens when... to be proud of their own accomplishments without the need for stickers or incentives, now that's, that's something to behold and cherish.
I couldn't be more proud -- not of the report (which, don't get me wrong) is wonderful. I'm most proud of her attitude and feeling of accomplishment -- of the work this represents and how this may continue to set the tone for her learning for years to come.
