“Do you like my dress?”

“I like your earrings”

“I like the color purple”

“Do you like Spiderman?”

“Do you like The Hulk?”

“Do you like my hat?”

Where else but a classroom of four year olds can you be asked these simple questions? To their young inquisitive minds, these are very important questions; they come from a world that is simple, not crowded with worries about paying bills or fitting many tasks into the waking hours of each day. No, inside the walls of attending preschool two or three days a week, they live pretty much in a carefree world that consists of playtime….making friends…learning letters and numbers…developing friendships and cultivating cooperation skills for listening, following directions, taking turns, being self sufficient.

I’ve been a substitute teacher a few times now in our church’s preschool–and while I freely admit that working alongside this age group isn’t my favorite cup of tea–it’s been very enjoyable.  I’m thankful that the most in a room at a time is 12 to 14–a reasonable number when it comes to lining up for potty breaks, going outside, and helping to situate little bodies on the floor for circle time. These little ones have been in school for about 90 plus days now and all the routines seem to be pretty smooth now, with the exception of a few who like to push a boundary or challenge their teacher. How quickly our little ones learn to challenge…..sometimes with a certain look that screams “I am defying you!” or as one lit guy told me recently “I don’t have to do what you tell me”. Ya, that didn’t float well…but he gets a gold star for attempting to be his own person in the moment.

It’s fun to observe 12 to 14 different personalities…the boys who run immediately to the box of cars during free time while the girls head off to the kitchen or dress up clothes in the corner…right now there are glass frames to wear…so authentic looking that I’ve been caught off guard asking myself “when did ____ get glasses?–(smile) ….

Coloring or craft projects bring out the true creative artists…the ones who are a bit overboard with perfection even at age 4…the ones who could care less about coloring and scribble their way back to the box of cars or dinosaurs….those who take great pride in their work, showing me how well they can write their name…and yet, again, those who really don’t care about letters right now…there’s too many other important things to be doing….

There are the chatterboxes and there are the ones who don’t talk to me at all…their eyes say it all “I don’t know you and I’m not going to answer your questions “teacher” no matter how much you talk to me….well, at least today I had one lil guy who fit that category. I’ll chalk it up to this morning being the first time he’s had me in the classroom.

I am loving all the conversations I’m having with these sweet little people. To think I was worried I wouldn’t enjoy spending three hours with them every time I’ve been called in, has made way for my mind to be changed and my heart filling with more love and laughter and recently now, lots of hugs…hugs around my knees when I’m standing out on the playground, hugs around my neck when I’m seated in my chair during circle time or working on letter sheets…color pages. 

Today, I found myself imagining what these lil boys and girls will be like when they are older. Many of our former preschool students are now adults who have made their way to college and life with families of their own…now their world is more than letters, numbers, playtime and learning to sit on the floor without wiggling too much or chatting it up with a “neighbor friend”. They don’t need help with stubborn zippers or reminded to cough in their elbow…wash your hands before we eat lunch “friends”….”please lay down…be quiet….go to sleep…naps are wonderful boys and girls”….ah, yes, naptime…..thankfully, we never outgrow the pleasure of a good nap, especially after playing outside in the fresh air for a short recess.

“Do you like my hat and mittens?”

“Watch me run and jump, Miss Sue!”

“Can you open my juice?”

The questions from my little friends are important to their curious minds. And my answers of YES every time tells them I am listening…I care…I am helping to build their confidence.

Today, one of the best lines of music to my ears was “I love you!” as I put on my coat, grabbed my purse and left for the day, telling my “friends” “See you tomorrow!….”I love you, Miss Sue!”….In a few short mornings being with my friends, the “I love yous” are now replacing some of their questions….and I’m perfectly fine with that….my prayer for them includes that they will never lose the ease of telling someone “I love you!”