Twelve years ago I decided to change my job from an English as a Second Language teacher to simply working at a department store childcare room, basically for better hours and benefits. My1were preschoolers. To my 2, many of these 2-4- year- old children3no English at all because shoppers at the store were families of employees at an international company with headquarters nearby. How4I found myself teaching English to preschoolers! Two experiences were unforgettably5for me — they came from a couple of little girls.
One child was about 3 years old when she6in the playroom. She was7, having recently come from Mexico and8only Spanish. However, I knew some Spanish, so we9time playing together while she10to English- speaking children around her. Eventually she11a local preschool and became12in English. One day she came to the playroom and13said to me," Teacher, remember when I called you ' maestra '?" Her bright eyes were filled with14!
The other child was also 3 years old when she came to the15that was filled with blocks, crayons and paper, tea sets, etc. She had no16in the town because her family had just moved from another17. She went to preschool later on, also, and showed her great18in speaking English! Then one day … after a long time away … she came into the playroom and said to me," Let's play blocks!" All our play was19with pleasure and learning and we played together cheerfully. From these children I learned to let extreme discomfort and the massive need for20become a springboard for joy and growth.
