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September 16 - 20
This
week was more focused on the very young kids during they day time and the older
ones in the evening.
In
the mornings I am working with daycare aged kids trying to help out in songs and
games, and then try to do some 1-on-1 with a kid trying to teach some
ABC's.
When
it comes to the songs..as an American it is very interesting and only a few of
them carry over exactly. Songs such as heads shoulders knees and toes, row your
boat, and the itsy bitsy spider are the same.
The
song that really blew me away that is different is the ABC's. I had no idea
there were other versions of the song. In India it's the same until the letter
"P" where they repeat L, M, N, O, P..for some reason...and say Z as Zed. I also
don't even want to tell you about little Johnny Thin and Little Johnny Fat...and
the horrible thing one of them tries to do with the cat!
During
the movie song time I try to pull out one, maybe two kids to work on their
ABC's. this can be a bit of a challenge since they don't speak English, and have
a short attention span. The method that I found most effective is playing the
ABC song on my iPhone, writing the first few letters, and have them trace the
letters. Once they get the hang of the motion I try to have them do it by
themselves. Most struggle, but the few that do get it...man it is an amazing
feeling. There face just been a with excitement. Truly awesome.
At
SEAMs at night I work with some of the older kids. I usually work 1 on 1 and
some other times small groups. The big thing with them reading is continuously
give them praise...even if they aren't perfect...or really even close to
perfect. they really try hard and any type of negative feedback can be
tough/demotivating.
Working
in small groups is all about finding games to keep them interested and ones
where they work on there English. Two games I've found to be the most
effective/fun. The first is Guess Who. The kids like it, and they have to
practice using full sentences. I was really surprised on how much they struggled
with that at first...but soon they were rolling with it pretty well. The second
game we play is using one of the picture books we all say 8 words together. Once
we complete doing that I describe one of the objects. The kids race to say which
object. This is a great game and the kids love it, as long as you don't repeat
the words.
In
the second week most of the kids have really gotten use to me, and ask when in
coming back. It's always a bit bitter sweet making these attachments so quick.
I'd like to be there for the long run, but that isn't possible. I do feel much
better though knowing that they have Stephen Raja, his wonderful family, and the
great adults around them as a constant presence. I'm glad that I'm a part of
this and that I get to share the amazing fun moments with the kids.
- Mike
