Appreciating small things
@GardenGerty (169406)
United States
February 26, 2017 10:43am CST
I go with the fourth graders to Physical Education. Last Friday was a "running" day and then they had free time with equipment like balls and hoops. I sat where I could see the faces of all the kids.
A------ was absent, or I might have seen some grumpy face from her.
The students did three minutes of laps around the gym. They ran one side, slid sideways one side, skipped one side and walked (fast) on one side. Around and around. These kids are still at a stage where running and moving is joyful and freeing. You could see it on their faces.
Then they experimented with different balls, and hoops and jump ropes etc.
This was one of the best parts of my day last Friday. I love how happy they looked just running and playing freely.
14 people like this
15 responses
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
26 Feb 17
Burning off that energy they have built up inside them gives them such a rush. I am at a client's house next to a school every day. During recess you can hear them screeching, laughing, and having such a good time. It is great.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
26 Feb 17
I know some schools have done away with recesses, I hope they never completely do. It is an important way to burn energy, learn to interact, soak up vitamin D, etc.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
26 Feb 17
@GardenGerty I hope that they don't take away recess. I cringe when I think of those young ones sitting inside all day without any way to expend that pent up energy.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
1 Mar 17
@ElusiveButterfly They learn better when they get time to move.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
3 Mar 17
@JudyEv All the kids in school appear to have spring fever right now.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
1 Mar 17
You are right, or horses when they feel the weather changing.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381742)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Mar 17
@GardenGerty I suppose the weather affects the mood of your students?
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
27 Feb 17
I can relate to that. When I throw those xmas parties for those kids it is their happy faces that I look forward to.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
1 Mar 17
They just shine and they are grateful and they feel good too.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
26 Feb 17
It sounds so rewarding and fun Heather.
Little children get so much joy out of stuff.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
26 Feb 17
We need to slap that smile on our face and do so as well.
2 people like this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
27 Feb 17
I have started walking slowly, with them, I prob need the exercise! lol
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
1 Mar 17
I have lost a bit of weight and I know it is from walking the long halls and helping them in PE some, and being with E at recess, some days he only gets to walk,holding hands cause he runs away. He also has a hand and foot pedaled trike that we take around a block a lot of days. Fridays we often swim.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
4 Mar 17
@Jessicalynnt Coupled with the energy we all expend dealing with his behaviors it is a full workout.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
26 Feb 17
I honestly was tempted. When I have helped with second grade or if A_______ is there I sometimes need to do so.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
1 Mar 17
@sallypup I keep busy on the playground when we are outside. If I am helping second grade E often does not understand the fitness games in PE and so I demonstrate. I attempt hula hoop, I can jump rope a bit. In fourth grade sometimes A needs someone to show her stuff, like wall push ups and planks so I get to do that from time to time.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (69156)
• Centralia, Washington
26 Feb 17
@GardenGerty Being active would be a good role model for the kiddos.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
1 Mar 17
PE when I was growing up was very competitive, and I was klutzy and uncoordinated. I think the emphasis now is on lifetime fitness skills, and having fun while keeping moving.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
1 Mar 17
Here, I work with elementary, as I did in Canton. For many years I did work Headstart. Our caseload has two second graders and two fourth graders. They require individualized attention, picture schedules and behavior plans. I am very tired at the end of the day.
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
26 Feb 17
Good that they had a nice time. I love to see and hear kids running and playing too.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
1 Mar 17
Yes, when they are getting along and moving and learning how to move it is really fun.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
1 Mar 17
@GardenGerty
Exercise should be fun for everyone and specially for children.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
3 Mar 17
I am pleased that this school district seems to strike a good balance with most things. Music, PE, class time, recess, technology, and yummy lunches.
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
26 Feb 17
It is nice when kids get the chance to be kids rather than their faces buried into some mobile thing!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
1 Mar 17
Yes, there is a need for balance. Most of these kids do not have cell phones or play video games, or even watch a lot of television.
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
1 Mar 17
Parents sometimes are away from the house, and so the kids have to stay inside. I will say that we have quite a few athletic families here, and some bike as families or build special climbing walls for their kids, etc. Good parks available for play and including basketball and raquetball facilities.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
1 Mar 17
@GardenGerty That's wonderful!
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
26 Feb 17
Its beautiful to watch innocence and being carefree.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
1 Mar 17
It is. And they were short and tall and chubby and thin, and it did not matter.
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
1 Mar 17
Yes, it is good to see the world through their eyes and remember when we would do the same activities.
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
26 Feb 17
Yes, and recess as well. It is so hard to sit still for long periods of time.
