Crazy-busy…nothing new for anyone these days but I just finished a couple of Teachers’ Convention Trade Shows and, as a parent; I want to share something with you that opened my eyes wide. In the midst of promoting our books to the teachers for a new and exciting fundraiser, I was genuinely excited to listen and see what teachers are exposed to. I saw some amazing art work from students of all ages. I am amazed at how teachers take charge of a group of 10-30+ students, keep them organized and, at the same time, are able to teach and connect with them. I even looked for some of my old teachers wondering if they were walking these aisles looking for new ways to reach our children.
A speaker in particular, David Bouchard, a Métis author, ex-principal, teacher and one of the keynote speakers, inspired me to be a better parent. The 125 preschool teachers were as rapt by him as I was; they were feverishly writing notes and sitting on the edge of their seats. When he gave away prizes to those who had the correct quiz answers from his lecture, there was no shortage of hands reaching for the sky.
I just wish my children’s preschool teacher could have been there. He talked about what reading alone can do for our children and how it can open or close the world around them. He admitted to not knowing better when he raised his first two sons. He believes if parents know better they will do better for their children – and I agree! He feels we don’t celebrate the individuality and the successes of our children enough. The testing of children at such a young age can be damaging when a child is labeled for example as a non-reader, a slow learner, a difficult child. He makes the point very clearly that children need time, time to learn, time to grow, and time with someone each and every day being encouraged and read to. They need to be so excited about reading that they will sneak a flashlight into their rooms at night to turn the pages of a book that makes them drool over what will come next, they need their imagination to grow as fast as they do.
He told the teachers not to assume that every child has a parent that reads to them, has access to good books, or has a hero to inspire them to be vivacious readers. David challenged these teachers to be the Hero in every child’s life. He wishes he would have been the hero to his first two sons, but instead, his sons have struggled in life. He now knows better and he is that hero to his 10 year old daughter who has yet to watch Clifford the Big Red Dog.
He encouraged teachers to read the books their students are reading and suggested that some books should be pre-read by parents. TV shows come with a rating; books don’t…but some should. Just being aware of the characters, stories and events that children are exposed to through books can provide insight and make us better parents and teachers.
Mr. Bouchard takes inspiration and his love of reading to a new level. He visits prisons where young offenders are doing life sentences and he acknowledges that their bodies aren’t going anywhere. Through his story-telling he inspires them to read because reading can take them all around the world. Reading can share and give them experiences that they will never personally be able to take.
After listening to his beautiful flute music, stories about his culture, and his wisdom, I believe he is right about a couple of things:
• Don’t label children to their faces
• They need time and everyone learns differently
• They shouldn’t be tested so early
• They need a hero
What a parent should want to see is the excitement; the anticipation of turning the page; the closeness storytelling can bring together. As long as the pages are turning, they have hope. If the Xbox, computer or TV is turned on with inappropriate content, the learning stops and the zombie-like child appears. I have seen this happen with my own son when he watches just one more cartoon, just one more commercial, just one more show. When I finally turn the TV off the loving child of mine disappears and someone else’s child takes over my son’s body.
So, Mr. David Bouchard, I applaud you, your courage to tell your story to be honest that you made a mistake and, from that, we all have the opportunity to be better parents. You inspired me to read to my children every night, to not worry about the extra 10 minutes it might take to read a book no matter how tired I am.
Tonight I read with more passion & fire, my children sat still on my lap, focused on Babe the Pig like never before!
I want to be their HERO;
I am not taking any chances on assuming the school system will teach my children. I even tucked my son into bed with his flashlight.
Thank you, I now know better, therefore I will strive to be better.
