Get on board with the weird. Joy will follow.

 My proposed solution is simple: don't waste a lot of time and money pushing kids in directions they don't want to go. Instead, find out what weirdness they excel at and encourage them to do that. Then get out of the way.

-Seth Godin, We are all weird

 

One of many reasons I have the best job in the world.

End of day game: Hide and Seek

How to play:

1. be the last two kids to be picked up

2. see teacher not looking at you

3. stage whisper, "Let's hide!"

4. cram in corner just out of sight of teacher

5. giggle and comment about how she will not find you because you are so sneaky

6. burst in to hysterical giggles when the teacher does see you and comments, "You two are as sneaky as a thunder storm."

7.  take pride in being as sneaky as a thunder storm by repeating "Sneaky as a thunder storm" and giggling with a swagger 

This game was played last year some time before September. I do not have a time stamp on when I made the note to myself. One of the two children involved in the play is still at the centre the other has moved on to Kindergarten. Moments like this, when children are their authentic selves, bring me the greatest joy. I know I did my job well that day.