Bathroom Breaks

A problem we have each week are the constant potty breaks. Some kids really do have to go, and you can definitely tell when a child really has an emergency, but others just play the 'potty' card when they are bored. I honestly was too scared to have to deal with accidents in the classroom to stand up to these kids about these potty breaks, but in Sharing Time this week, the Primary President was not going to stand for it.

I admire this lady so much, especially because she has a daughter the same age as the kids in my class, so her advice is directly relevant to me and when she has an idea, it always works. After I came back to Sharing Time with the 3rd child who needed a potty break, she drew the line. She explained to the kids that we get drinks and go potty before we come to Primary. If there is an emergency, we can go on our way to class after Sharing Time, and then again after church if we need to, but we do not leave the class room during Sharing Time, Singing Time, or Class Time.

The kids knew she meant business and weren't going to challenge her. She always knows exactly how to say things to these kids so that they understand her expectations, and obey immediately. Partially, I think, because she will many times get down to their level, by kneeling on the floor, and talking with a smile on her face. That change seems simple, but I find it makes all the difference.

We did not have a single potty break during class time that day, and many asked their parents if they could get a drink after class when they came to pick them up. The rules definitely stuck and I'm so happy that they are growing up into these little people who are learning things and remembering them so well. These last 6 months have shown a tremendous improvement with these kids, and I suppose, to a 3 year old, 6 months is like a life-time!

Field Trip

This week seemed to be an especially difficult one with all of the children being extra cranky. There’s always one or two each week that are having a bad day, but this week, EVERYONE was having a bad day. We were battling it through the lesson, not very effectively, and the spirit definitely wasn’t in the room. I had to resort to ‘counting to three’ to get the children back into their chairs and pay attention. Just before I was about to loose it totally, on the brink of tears, the Primary Secretary said, “Who’d like to go on a walk?”

The children were so excited about this mini field trip they immediately jumped into the line behind the Secretary and were at attention. She had in her hand a piece of yarn about 5 feet long and each child had to hang onto the string. She discussed with them the rules for this walk. “There is no talking, and you must not let go of the string.” When we were all on the same page, we began our trek through the halls. We only made it down one hall and came back to the classroom, but the kids weren’t having that. We explained that because they were talking in the halls and one of the children let go of the string (they bolted toward an exit door, which we luckily caught him before he ran outside) we had to come back to the classroom. We asked them if they wanted to go out again and they were very enthusiastic about it and promised to follow ALL the rules this time. We made it down 2 hallways this trip (there were only 2 in the building…) and came back to the classroom.

After this little trip, the kids were still anxious and wiggly, but we were able to have the spirit with us and enjoy the last part of the lesson. This was an excellent example of thinking on your feet and being prepared to make changes to the lesson plans. Thanks again so much to that special lady who had the brilliant idea to ‘go on a walk’. She not only saved the lesson, but my sanity!