I seemed to have gotten frozen as well when the winter started. I have a lot of thoughts I wanted to write but I just couldn't get my hands to do it. I could give a lot more excuses but the most important thing is to be able to get back and be able to do what I like to do,writing.
In September-October 2016, I had an opportunity to be immersed in the Finnish working culture when I did my 6 weeks training at a school where there are pre-schools to gradeschool and even immigrants studying Valma course.
What I love about it is that, school here seems to be fun for both students and teachers. I was assigned to assist in the pre schoolers class. When they get into the classroom at 9am they get to seat on pillows and bean bags on the floor, they get to relax and the day starts with what weather, date of the day and what schedule they are having for the day. Students get to share what they did in the weekend or their plans for the weekend.They also get to sing, hear a story from their teachers who were very creative and comical, and get to even do what they call mind and body exercise. At 10, they get to play outside for an hour, where they are supervised by their teachers and once a week they have a more organized playtime or they get to walk to the park or forest and do some activities in there.
When they come back they do some academic work, arts and crafts and have lunch at 12. After lunch, they continue with their academic work and end at 1:30. Its up to the students and parents whether they would want to join various after class activities.
I must commend the teachers for being so positive and caring to the students. For example, they would always say beautiful words when kids try to do their work and when they do arts and crafts. When a kid is complaining, they encourage the student instead telling him to stop complaining.
Questions are welcomes and attended. Creativity is encouraged. I loved when they even made a small store in the classroom to practice math! When they do arts and crafts, they have all the materials they need, the teachers are very supportive and they are proud to present their students' work. We have placed them on the wall for others to see.
It was really fun working with kids though it takes a while for them to get to be comfortable with strangers like me, but when they do it feels so much easier to guide them. And oh how it melts my heart when they would even run towards me, open the door for me and hug me! I wouldn't have imagined that because at first, I was hesitant speaking to them in Finnish, I feel like an idiot, I would rather speak to them in English than make a wrong sentence in Finnish. But that's part of my training so I just have to dare my self and dive into speaking Finnish. I listened to the teachers and tried to say the same words they are using when needed. And then there was one student who doesn't seem to like me, he didn't want me to be around him especially when he is doing some seatwork. Then the teacher explained I was there and how he can help me and then he started teaching me some games afterwards. There are also these two girls who laughed when I said something in finnish but later they became really close to me they even try to speak in english when they want to converse with me some more and then I try to talk to them in Finnish and they correct me gently when I'm wrong.
At the end of my training, it was a tearful moment with the teachers and students. It was my pleasure and honor to be there.
In September-October 2016, I had an opportunity to be immersed in the Finnish working culture when I did my 6 weeks training at a school where there are pre-schools to gradeschool and even immigrants studying Valma course.
What I love about it is that, school here seems to be fun for both students and teachers. I was assigned to assist in the pre schoolers class. When they get into the classroom at 9am they get to seat on pillows and bean bags on the floor, they get to relax and the day starts with what weather, date of the day and what schedule they are having for the day. Students get to share what they did in the weekend or their plans for the weekend.They also get to sing, hear a story from their teachers who were very creative and comical, and get to even do what they call mind and body exercise. At 10, they get to play outside for an hour, where they are supervised by their teachers and once a week they have a more organized playtime or they get to walk to the park or forest and do some activities in there.
When they come back they do some academic work, arts and crafts and have lunch at 12. After lunch, they continue with their academic work and end at 1:30. Its up to the students and parents whether they would want to join various after class activities.
I must commend the teachers for being so positive and caring to the students. For example, they would always say beautiful words when kids try to do their work and when they do arts and crafts. When a kid is complaining, they encourage the student instead telling him to stop complaining.
Questions are welcomes and attended. Creativity is encouraged. I loved when they even made a small store in the classroom to practice math! When they do arts and crafts, they have all the materials they need, the teachers are very supportive and they are proud to present their students' work. We have placed them on the wall for others to see.
It was really fun working with kids though it takes a while for them to get to be comfortable with strangers like me, but when they do it feels so much easier to guide them. And oh how it melts my heart when they would even run towards me, open the door for me and hug me! I wouldn't have imagined that because at first, I was hesitant speaking to them in Finnish, I feel like an idiot, I would rather speak to them in English than make a wrong sentence in Finnish. But that's part of my training so I just have to dare my self and dive into speaking Finnish. I listened to the teachers and tried to say the same words they are using when needed. And then there was one student who doesn't seem to like me, he didn't want me to be around him especially when he is doing some seatwork. Then the teacher explained I was there and how he can help me and then he started teaching me some games afterwards. There are also these two girls who laughed when I said something in finnish but later they became really close to me they even try to speak in english when they want to converse with me some more and then I try to talk to them in Finnish and they correct me gently when I'm wrong.At the end of my training, it was a tearful moment with the teachers and students. It was my pleasure and honor to be there.
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