GRaDuaTioN

On the third of July,the most highly anticipated occasion kicked off at 4pm.I arrived an hour earlier to get things in order before the kids started showing up.The play room was filled with a thousand adorned balloons of different colors which were to be hanged outside in the canopies.Mr Farouk gave me my blue labeled polo shirt specially made for this occasion.I put it on to match my blue denims and rocked my sneakers.In the next half hour,everything was set.Parents started making appearances and the ceremony was about to begin.All the kids reported to their respective classes and waited for their slots.I did a final rehearsal with my students and made sure everyone had mastered their lines.Soon it was our turn to run the show.We waited backstage as Mr Karl announced our presentation,then went onstage with our soundtrack.The kids showed no ounce of nervousness.They did well and illuminated the stage with dazzling smiles.The audience applauded after our 3 minute performance.Other classes carried on with awesome performances after which i made a debut stand up comedy performance mimicking the graduating class as a commercial break before they returned onstage.I hadnt practiced quite much but it turned out to be a hilarious moment for the parents as they watched me do voices and actions of the children.Momentarily,we made a comeback with our farewell song "GOod RiddaNce(TiMe o youR LiFe)" by Green Day which i orchestrated.It was so moving to see such emotions being displayed onstage by 3-year olds.After the next goodbye song,the occasion had come to an end.Certificates were awarded to the kids and a playback of their happiest memories were shown in a slideshow.Finally,it was time for the last march by the graduating class.It was the same song i had introduced them to 3months earlier which they presented at the musical recital day.Surprisingly,they still remembered the steps and movements perfectly.Parents sang along as they performed.It was great and exactly what i had anticipated.This song,"MaRcH oN" by one of my favorite punk bands GOod CHaRLoTTe had become the school's favorite anthem and will forever be remembered in the history of time.Atleast it would make me a massive part of the memories they'll reflect on even whe am gone.As the last drum made a sound,the kids jumped up and threw their mortar boards into the air in excitement.The five firecrackers on the candle were lit and cameras took over the scene.We had our snapshots and said our goodbyes with huge lumps on our throats and heavy tears in our eyes...goodbye JusT 5's,we'll miss you "mississippi" i especially will :)

ALL foR oNe

Its always fun to play with the kids before a meal.The play area always appears to be filled with vibrant children ready to dash into you or even use you as a climbing frame.As long as you maintain your balance,everything will be alright.But the moment you scan a team of trouble shooters approaching you,it would be the perfect time to abandon ship.Pictures say a lot of things we ourselves are unable to express in words.That's why i often let the super snapshots speak for me.This is a picture i shot in the playroom just before school closed at 6pm last week.

STicKs foR sHaPes

The hexagon was introduced as a shape with six sides.The kids made use of colorful craft sticks and glue with brushes to paste hexagons on their papers and the works were displayed on the class bulletin board.This without a doubt is one activity they enjoyed to the maximum.

LiTTLe teacHeRs

Today,i thought letting the kids play the teacher's role would be fun as it sort of facilitates learning.It makes them feel dignified and in control.They enjoyed the session of letter recognition,sounding and spelling while the others followed.I think i have found the perfect recipe for committing everything we learn in class to memory and it works.

DevaNg's secReT coDe bOoK

Devang had designed a secret book for himself earlier as pictured every agent should have a special book with codes that only he could decode.So he came up to me and asked me to honor the book with my signature.I felt very happy and gladly signed on the first page with my pen.

ILL piLL

This little guy has been ill for over a week and he showed up this week putting up a series of strange moodswings.He is a fun fellow but when he wears a serious face,even a circus clown couldnt make him grin letalone laugh.This week,i think he dozes off during lessons probably because he's bored or uninterested in what is being taught.Though yesterday,i was indoors with him when the other kids were playing outdoors.I gave him a coloring book of the ''Teenage mutant ninja turtles'' to color and he seemed very well interested in the activity.He colored a few pictures until it was time for him to go home at 6pm.

HiDe aNd seeK

Mohammed is quite a solitary little boy who enjoys playing in the weirdest of places.Here i found him during free flow lying in a prone position counting from one until he got up and vanished without a trace.This particular image amazed me cos the kid actually looked like a turbo car ready to zoom on the race track.

BouNciNg oN tHe aLpHabeT pads

Today,we had a blast jumping on the alphabets on the pads i smuggled from the dining area to see if the kids were familiar with different letters of the alphabet.A few of them had some flaws but a handful were quite good at recognising the letters,especially the initials to their respective names.I figured that jumping could make learning soper fun for children :-)

NiNe iN a sTRiNg

9 was the magic number for the week and the kids had loads of fun putting a string through nine colorful bead balls in the classroom.After that,they enjoyed wearing them on their necks as crafty necklaces for display.

THe swiNgiNg muNchKiN

Nothing feels better than an early morning swing on the lush green lawn.This is usually a time the early comers utilise to the maximum cos some kids dont show up till 9:00am.Its the principal's word to take them out every morning for atleast half an hour from 8:00am to 8:30am to limber up,have fun and catch some air.This is a very important activity in a child's life that should never be frowned upon.As for the boy up there,he's always punctual.This gives him all the time in the world to enjoy his joyful swing going back and forth until his head begins to spin.Yippeee!!!

CuRious GeoRGe

Wondering what he's listening to?Well,apparently its the clockwork inside the machinery of this Tommy toy car.This guy's one of the most curious kids i've ever set my peepers on.Even a kitten wouldnt challenge him in the game.Clever and cunning Akram is an adventurous little boy who sometimes finds himself under the table or at an extreme corner of the classroom without a clue on how in blazers he wound up there.Keep him within your reach and you'll get the maximum attention you're entitled to.Let him sit two steps away and he'll drift into oblivion.He enjoys self-company and is a very awesome actor.He's good at making voices and freeflow's a favorite for this little fella.

MaY 27Th,tHis oNe's foR tHe kiDs!

So today is Childrens Day,24 hours in honour of our ambitious young leaders of tomorrow.Am having quite a downer here cos it usually is a public holiday,but it'd have been so much fun if the school had planned something exciting for the kids to do today.Perhaps a safari,picnic,an outing to the amusement park,or a jaunt.Just a kind of adventure to remember whenever the bell of 27th May rings in their little heads.But i know a myriad of parents will let them have the time of their lives,so that makes up for everything.Speaking of that,since i dont have any toys to play with here,i think i'll just surround myself with things that helped me while away time during childhood.My favorite pastime of drawing cartoons,read a few comics,drown inside a MAD magazine and then post the lyrics to a song i composed at the beginning of this year entitled "CHiLdReN" dedicated to all the kids here in my schoolniversity.Though the children arent here today,i know they're attending my super awesome carnival in absentia here on this blog.Apparently a getaway they cant escape.This one's for you kiddies,you mean the world and everything to me.So to kids all over the globe,thank you for the ray of sunshine you've brought into my life and thank you for making planet earth a cheerful circle.And to my peer peeps,thanks a bunch for the golden memories.Happy Childrens Day! :) :)) :p :D

SpeciaL DeLiveRY

Mrs Constance,my predecessor,or should i say the lady am filling in for has given birth to a bouncing baby boy.So much joy prevailing in the atmosphere.Am so happy for her and hope she enjoys the next three months of her maternity leave before bouncing back again.Until then,i call the shots here :)

PRoposed GRaduaTioN pLaNs foR JusT 3's

In July,the Just 5's will be graduating and passing out of Playhouse for good.To enliven the ceremony,all the classes are expected to participate in something interesting which will entertain the parents,plus complement the occasion.So prior to the deadline,i conceived a genius idea.I just pray its not too advanced for the Just 3's.We are meant to present stuff relating to our class topics.For this reason,i thought the kids would enjoy a brief instrumental parade depicting animals under the sea as well as the polar region,followed by another one in jungle music for that topic representing the animals found there too.Finally,they'll all arrange themselves after the slideshow to sing and demonstrate a touching song i've suggested:"Good riddance(time of your life) by the famous punk rock band GReeN DaY.I highly look forward to putting up this show.Rehearsals commence on Monday.

ReceSs

Its been exactly one week since i've been gone from this zone and already it feels like forever.I had to attend to an imperative issue back at my department in school.But poor me,i was shot by a chronic flu and i've been having this hot pain in my chest.Though am slowly recuperating,but still on medication.I miss the kids,staff and most of all my daily routine.Thus,i havent found juicy stories to post here.A few people checked in on me including a concerned child and i appreciate all the courtesy calls.Hope to resume on Monday cos i cant wait to pick up where i left off!

Blogger Pictures

WoRLd CoLoRiNg DaY II

On Friday morning school resumed with everyone getting ready for the early weekly meeting.A lot of ideas were shared regarding the graduation ceremony coming up in July.During the meeting,Mr Karl mentioned that the kids should do their coloring considering they'd been looking forward to it since last week.My class was up for some fine hand print flag painting where every hand represented a country around the world.Three from each continent to fill the cardboard sheet.A few children were absent though due to the public announcement to mourn our late president for the next few days.It was tiring and time consuming,but fun for us all.Well done kids,World Coloring Day was a blast!

WoRLd CoLoRiNg DaY

Last Thursday was World Coloring Day and the kids were asked to show up at school with a pack of crayons for charity.This day was meant to be a work-free day for them filled with creative colorful presentations in different media o exhibit their artistry.I had the perfect idea in mind for the Just 3's,and couldnt wait to implement it.But sadly,the president passed away earlier that morning and it was declared a public holiday.Thus,no kid put in an appearance besides Memshima.All staff signed out after 10am,except Moustapha and me.The day was quite long,and there was a cool weather outside when i cosied up watching Gilmore Girls indoors.Moustapha was studying for his upcoming exams,so he didnt do much of the viewing.He left after 3pm and headed home.I rounded up at 5pm and called it a day!

CaNT sLeeP?couNT sHeeP!

Tibor and Fingul were having a hard time sleeping despite the sweet lullaby that was playing on the stereo.All the other kids were already sleeping like logs about a half hour after the lights were out.I had a few things to attend to but i couldnt due to the constant movement and distractions made by these tiny tots.They couldnt sleep and they wouldnt lie down quietly.

HoPscoTch

A new number was introduced to the children.It was the number 8 and i wanted it to sink into their brains as fast as possible.So i asked every child to take turns in jumping on the number frames from 1 to 8,and continuously jump on 8 at the end of the game.It was exciting for them,and i strongly believe that practicals make it easier for children to commit things to memory.

CLaSs cLocK

During circle time,i brought in a large blanket to spread on the floor and serve as a mat for the kids to sit on cos the floor seems to get cold sometimes due to the weather.My class has the largest number of children in the school so it was the only way i could have them all seated in an organized manner.Today,i grabbed an aerial view of the kids who were present during the lesson.It reminded me of a clock which represented the hours with children.

WeLcoMe bacK

Hamza had been in London throughout the holidays.Its been two school weeks since we resumed and he didnt show up until today when he surprised us all.He came with a cap.Perhaps to disguise himself so that he wouldnt be recognized easily.But as soon as he opened the door,we all shouted out his name and hugged him.He surely received a warm welcome from the children and staff.

AMeRicaN IdoL

Aarif is an early comer and this makes him dash to my class the moment he arrives considering only a few kids report to school before 8am and most of his friends dont show up till 9am.He came in and found me listening to Keane on the stereo,while having breakfast.He danced a little and asked me for the microphone.I knew i'd hidden it somewhere in the class cos it always becomes the cause for a quarrel or mishap.Luckily,i opened the second drawer on the cabinet and voila!There it was.Aarif had decided to stay with me when the other kids were out having fun.So this was reason enough to give him the mic and watch him perform the likes of Hanna Montana.

INFRa Red

Fingul,the red headed genius and Tibor the gentle blond were having a fun time during free flow cooking play dough food.They baked me cookies and prepared some hotdogs,plus shawarmas and pancakes.They seem to enjoy this corner of the classroom so much that they always try to beat others to it when the children are asked to pick corners.However,they're exact opposites.Tibor's quiet,a tad slow,and fancies solitary play.He loves trucks,building blocks and seldom looks for trouble and reports to me the second somebody pushes his buttons.Fin,on the other hand is an ambitious and creative wizkid who fancies dinosaurs and aliens.He's got a wild imagination,and a rude version which he plays on every new face to test his limits.But when i finally set my rules,do's and donts,this guy let down his guard and played the "you're the boss" card.Here,i gave these guys a quick snapshot with my view finder when they were playing in the dark.

THe pReTTY puRpLe peaRL pRiNceSs

This is Tasneem Kaloma.A small,sassy,handful that pushes me to the end of my tether and apologizes when the breaking point's close enough.She's a great actress whose voice is naturally amplified.She's the leader of the group STC in the Just 4's class,representing the "T" together with her girls Chloe and Salma.This group's tougher than it sounds.You may need a daily dose of aspirin when teaching these girls or you find yourself raising the white flag.But behind this cute little face lies a strong,smart and independent woman.

KaRL XY

The new school head teacher from the UK's one weird,funny and carefree dude.He's a workaholic who asks for a break every now and then.How unusual is that?Well,Mr Karl's actually a great guy.Its hard for us to see his red eye,let alone the kids.Somehow,i think he proves the age old British uptight and racist stereotype wrong,and that's what drew me closer to him.He's an explorer,a swimmer and an actor.He's only been to church five times in his life.He's also an artist,and loves rock music too!I've got a funny feeling that this guy was sent to me.Though we drag when i ask him for his i-pod cos its easier to have access to his room or wallet.The kids like him for his attitude and kindness cos they always get whatever they want,and get away with what they want.He's a great work of art,am really glad to know someone like him in this lifetime.

ANTaRTica

Yes,the class theme for this term is the polar region.Snowflakes and icicles hang from the ceiling,with snowballs and penguins all around the walls.With the air conditioning on,the class is aptly described.The kids enjoyed an experience at the freezer in the kitchen to get a demo of what the region is like.They touched the walls,felt ice cubes and toyed with rubber animals like penguins,polar bears,walruses,seals,snow owls,etc to facilitate learning.They held my hands tight to make me feel the frostbite.I shrieked as they laughed their asses off.I recommended two movies "Ice age" and "Happy feet" for us to watch this Friday.Apparently,its gonna be fun.

We aRe tHe movie

Every Friday at 5pm,the kids and i enjoy a riveting screen session at the TV room.I set the scene by shutting the blinds,turning the lights down low and getting every child quietly seated,waiting for me to press play.The film may be a disney or warner bros movie or a cartoon from the cassette rack.The tape usually runs for hours until the last child uses the exit.Its fun as am always surrounded by my friends A-5 (Adeel,Almustapha,Aarif,Adam,Akram)while watching.Its a brand new episode every week.This is surely a relaxing evening technique everybody should manage to adopt.

LiaR,LiaR paNTs oN fiRe

While arranging something at the reading corner,i perceived a strange smell behind me.Some of the kids were napping while others were just lying down and staring.I noticed Bee sitting on his mat feeling uncomfortable.Then Miss Carol stood up to help him change.That's when we found a pool of pee under his mat.He was nervous and didnt say a thing.He stood still staring into my eyes.I asked him why he did it and he replied "the A.C poured water on me,i didnt pee!"Quickly,i asked Carol to take him to the bathroom,have him cleaned up and changed.Its really funny how some kids apply creative ideas as excuses.This kid's one hell of a guy.Obviously,something was wrong at home:his mum had travelled and he was all out of his element.

HOoK,LiNe aNd siNKeR

Morning time's always fun for the kids in my class.There are a myriad of things to do in the numerous corners.Today,Fin,Yahya and Suleiman happened to find the pack of fishing toys kept at the bottom of the construction corner.They quietly pulled it out and put the pieces together to form a pond.Each person picked a rod,fastened his hook and was ready to fish with bated breath.I joined them in the game and had a good morning blast.

AaRiF's pLaY douGh caKe

I walked into the Just 4's classroom when the kids were having free flow.I went there to inquire from Miss Fatee about the afterschoolers' syllabus.Suddenly Aarif interrupted me holding up a cake he'd made with play dough poking holes to represent candles using cutters.Funny enough,he almost guessed my age right judging by the number of candles he'd put there. "Mr Ahmed" he said "here's a cake from me to you" i thanked him and saved the snapshot above.

CHocoHoLic

During lunch,everyone was seated at the dining area anxiously waiting for the afternoon meal.Its always exciting to anticipate what's cooking before it appears on the table.It was sliced bread,with chocolate spread and milk.Apparently,Tibor's favorite.He devoured his food like a hungry bear and didnt care where the chocolate was extending to on his face.When he was done,he had chocolate all over his face like a thick brown handlebar moustache.

THe two musKeTeeRs

Kevin and Khalil walked into the classroom as usual.Khalil played in a few corners before deciding to try on the knight's costume at the role play area.I had taken the sword from the Just 4's and brought it back to my class cos i figured that's where it seems to belong,together with Lancelot's armour and the dragon's outfit.Kevin found a stuffed pirate sword at the other corner and began to practise his guard skills and swift slices.The two coincided at the center of the room and somehow it dawned on them that they could actually challenge eachother in an instant sword fight.I set the scene and staged a suitable scenario.They stood side by side and the battle commenced after the count of three.Khalil held the stronger sword,and Kevin held the softer sword as they exchanged quick slices and guard breakers.The battle was becoming tougher as both fighters were relentless.So i asked one person to give up and accept defeat in an indirect way.Khalil wore the knight's costume,so he was the anticipated hero.Kevin lowered his guard and Khalil stabbed him in the chest.That's how Lancelot earned his victory.

PLaYHouse ExecuTive FLighT

Adam gathered some toys and surrounded himself in a circle at the playroom.Sease was there with him,so obviously he was the co-pilot.Every child present in the room seemed quite interested in the game,but Adam wouldnt let them play.When Mubin reported this case to me,i came up with the best remedy.I told them that there wasnt enough room for everyone in the aircraft but if Adam could spread out the toys and add some more,they could board and enjoy the flight.It worked,Adam was convinced and before i turned around all the boys and girls in the playroom were on Flight Playhouse!So much creativity,endless fun!

HeLLo sHiRTie

Mubin travelled early last term cos his mum was going for check up abroad.He resumed yesterday and the school had missed him for every day he'd been away.I welcomed him warmly at the door,and exchanged greetings with his mum.She told me how much her son had missed us all.I was delighted to hear that.I didnt know that the next day,this lady would surprise me with a gift from her trip.I received a bag from Miss Fatee,Mubin's class teacher and inside it was an elegant white shirt with bold grey stripes and thin red lines.I tried it on when i got to my class and it was just the right size.And to put the icing on the cake,it matched my grey denims perfectly.Though i took it off so that it remained new until it was time to go formal =-)

iT aLL coiNciDes soMewHeRe

Adnan dashed into the classroom holding Ibrahim's hands and came to me in the morning."uncle Ahmed" he said.but i didnt lift my head up to look at what he was trying to show me,so i just answered "yes?" he said "look!we're wearing the same thing!" that's when i looked up and realized that the two boys were putting on the same kind of shirt.I smiled and put on a surprised face "wow!this is brilliant.how cool is that?" they were both excited.So i asked them to pose for a twin pic right in front of my table.

OuT iN tHe saNd

After lunch,the kids incisted that they were tired of being indoors and a bit sick of playing with the same old toys.Considering the weather was nice and the environment set the perfect scene for a fun outdoor play.Mr Carl,me and the crew decided to take the kids outside to the backyard.We grabbed our digging tools,toys,etc and headed for the sand area.There,we made majestic sandcastles,battlements,starfishes,footprints and a whole lot.Everybody had a blast until sundown.I enjoyed every bit of it except the sand in my shoes and the dirt on my jeans.

ANimoRpHs

I was having my Tetley and biscuits this morning,while the tiny tots were playing in class.Suddenly,i noticed a large transparent box full of rubber animals land on my table.I was startled as i had no idea where it came from.All the children rushed to pick up a toy from the box.That's when i asked "where did this come from?" then somebody replied "from the shelf!" i turned around and looked at the shelf.Yes,something was missing.I wonder how their peepers managed to scan the box.Just then,i came up with an awesome idea to put the kids in the mood.I asked everyone to pick a toy and pretend he could morph into that animal.I went for the great white snow owl,and the others made their choices.We had fun for the moment :)

THe cosTuMe paRaDe

The kids all showed up at my new class in the morning and darted straight towards the dressing corner.Everyone picked out a costume that suited him/her and the role play act was about to commence.Adam picked up a Buzz Lightyear astronaut suit,Amina picked up a Hanna Montana rocking dress,Khalil picked up a Godzilla dinosaur costume,Mohammed picked up a fireman's outfit,Jasmine picked up a police officer's uniform.The donkey and bunny outfits were tossed over to the corner cos none of the kids was interested in playing those roles.Aarif wore a Narnian knight costume and held his shiny silver sword in his hands ready to begin the act.I staged a short play for 15minutes and the audience appeared to love it.A prince was on a quest to slay a dreadful dragon and rescue the fair princess.Quite corny if you ask me,but it was so intriguing and riveting.Soon,it was finally time for classes to begin.

THe new giRL

During lunch,i accompanied the kids to wash their hands before sitting at the dining.Before i got there,i noticed a new face staring at me with a coy look.I hesitated to say hi then,cos it just didnt seem right.So i spoke to the children around her and walked on.Later,i went to my former class to drop a message and found the same face looking at me.While resting at the play area,i was asked by the class teacher to help her out with the circle time routine.So i went on with it and gave her a demo.She seemed well interested in what i'd just finished doing and thanked me.I smiled back and headed to my new class.I thought we could get well acquainted soon,but unfortunately a little birdie told me that she'd only be filling in for a week.What a bummer,shit surely happens!

SepeRaTioN aNxieTY

I had fully acclimatized to the life in "Just 4's" but to my greatest astonishment,i was shocked when Mrs Mahtani told me the principal's orders.I was transferred to the "Just 3's" The head teacher was heavily pregnant and would not be able to carry on with classes next week.So apparently,i'd be filling in for her until the term ends and hopefully for my entire stay in the school.It was hard saying goodbye to Miss Fatee and the kids in my former class.Parting is such sweet sorrow.I'll surely miss those little munchkins!

THe eaRLY biRd

I reported to work at 6:50am and headed to class as i had a little sorting out to do with my stuff.The door opened and Mohammed walked in looking surprised considering he wasnt aware of the teacher swap since last week.I offered him some play dough and cutters to keep him occupied while i finished sorting out.Soon before long,the other kids started arriving and the usual routine kicked off.

ReTuRN oF sPecTacLe boY

Kevin Buck,the German genius kid had been away for the holidays at Germany.He wasnt in school throughout last week.Not until the weekend when he arrived with his mum.I had given up the fact that this kid was gone for good.But today,i was surprised to find out that i actually guessed wrong.Kevin rushed to hug me when i showed up this morning and he was so excited to see me.I really missed this guy.Welcome back kiddo!

ONe fiNe FRidaY eveNiNg

I spent the entire evening playing around the lawn with the kids.Aarif and Adnan were on the double swing screaming at the top of their lungs.Fadila was on the other swing merrily going back and forth.Adam and Hassan as always were more interested in kicking the ball here and there.Mr Carl was present participating in all the mini games the kids were playing.I then initiated a game of "catcher" with Jasmine who chased me until i began panting the last breath out of my lungs.I refused to give up but this little girl was more relentless than i thought.Finally,i stood still and asked her to tap me.She hurried with utter excitement.Then i took a break and went in to the building to take a cold glass of water.Sundown approached closer and closer..

CRadLe posT

Hello everybody and welcome to my new blog site.I saw this coming a long time ago,but i never really moved a muscle to make it possible.My name is Maaruf,but i use the name "kid" as a moniker here.This is because God has instilled a very special liking for children within me.I figured this out a few years ago and decided to go public.This is my second experience with tiny tots in a learning environment and it always seems to give me butterflies.I enjoy every second in this fun zone and wouldnt give it up for anything else.
Thus,in this blog,i have opened up my world to you to view,read,and enjoy and share the experiences.I hope you find every bit of it interesting and feel free to post as many comments as you like.Explore and report.Thanks for logging in :)