New Marketing Subgroup

Sometimes my children shock me.

Yesterday we were reading a new book- a rather good book. A rather good book, whose name has left me at the moment. I love the premise of the book- a child climbs into his grandma's lap as she tells him a story. The child shares with us that "On my grandma's lap, I can go anywhere...swim to the bottom of the ocean, float on pink cotton candy clouds, travel on an african safari..." Love, love, love the imagination of this book.

Then I turned to the last page and ran across this picture...

and I wonder something...so I pose the question: Do you know who this is? Do you know where he works?

Now a bit of educational philosophy...the ability to "read" pictures and decipher information from them is an big emerging reading skill. We often play this game as we read books...tell me, what is that whale doing in the picture. When the child invents his idea based on the image he sees of the whale, he is putting together the skills necessary for one day reading letters and putting them together to create words and stories. Some of the first images children "read" and can decipher are fast food signs.

Back to the question...My curiosity was peeked because I know that while Ronald McDonald was a big part of my childhood, I don't know that I've seen him lately. Another layer to this curiosity is that my clientele is very crunchy granola. So while I know that occasionally they will stop at the common fast food establishments, I also know they are much, much, much more likely to eat at local, crunchy granola type restaurants.

So I pose the question and wait responses. To which I receive NONE. These children don't know Ronald McDonald. They don't know the Golden Arches logo on his shirt.

Perhaps the winds of marketing has shifted. In fact, I heard rumor they might 'fire' Mr McDonald b/c he makes kids fat.

But nonetheless my inner crunchy granola loving self is happy. Cause just maybe these children's taste buds are being exposed to more wholesome food. Cause just maybe these children will grow up eager to explore the mom and pop diner down the street instead of the McDs on the corner. Cause just maybe we are making a difference.

Important life lessons

Adding to the drama of yesterday was this little exchange...

Mary: "Freddy is my boy buddy!" grinning big, waving to Freddy as he walks by

Molly: "Freddy is MY boy buddy!"

and so it begins...

"No, he's MY BOY BUDDY!"

"He's MY BOY BUDDY!"

and then it proceeds to wailing...

"But I love him. I NEEEDDDD a boy buddy"

At which point I am compelled to intervene. Big hugs and wiping of crocodile tears. And very serious words. "Boys are great friends and fun to play with. But you never, never, never NEED one. This is a life lesson sweetheart. Boys are great, but you never, never, never NEED one."

Being friends is hard work

There are a group of girls in my classroom all born within a few weeks of each other. These 4 girls LOVE LOVE LOVE each other and yet HATE HATE HATE each other. Several times throughout the day.

My fellow toddler teachers joke that once children achieve certain milestones, we kick em out of the classroom. (not actually) But certain behaviors: resisting nap time, intentionally not telling us the whole truth, the use of 'potty language!' are clear indicators that they are ready for a new challenge. And that we are ready to have them not corrupt new youngsters who haven't yet learned the joys of yelling POOPEY! at lunch.

One such indicator has been occurring lately in the classroom. "You can't come to my party. You aren't my friend anymore. You are so mean!" Sure signs they need to be shipped up to the preschool rooms. Luckily we don't have to deal with these situations often. Unfortunately I am not well practiced at handling these moments. Unlike pushing, biting, tantrumning, toileting etc. I'm excellent at handling those. But when I have 2 hysterically children crying and screaming at each other about whether or not they are friends, a lot harder to handle.

Yesterday...

Susy: "You are mean. You are not my friend."
Sandy: "No I not! You are mean!"

Susy: "She said I was mean! I don't want to be her friend"
Sandy: "She said mean mean mean!"

Susy: "She's mean! She doesn't want to be my friend"

and the wailing continued for what felt like forEVER. Anyone see the irony in this argument. 2 girls, desperately wanting to be friends. Both yelling at each other. Both distraught because their friend yelled at them.

Lesson of the week: If you don't want your friend to yell at you, you can't yell at them.