When you are a teacher, you soon learn kids love to use you as playground equipment. It’s especially true in preschool classes. One day, my son was in a class and a kid wanted to hang from his arms. So that inspired this tall teacher cartoon.
I drew this for Illustration Friday in 2012. That week’s word was “tall.” When I read it, I thought of times when my son has volunteered to teach. He’s a tall guy, and some of the small kids love for him to hold out his arm as they swing from it. The kids love a tall, strong, gentle guy. And who doesn’t love the monkey bars?
My son relented because he knew one of the secrets of being an effective teacher is getting into the students’ world. There is a time to get into the lesson. But there is also a time to get to know the kids and have a little free time.
Get to Know Your Students
Teaching in Sunday school, or another type of classroom requires we take an interest in our kids. This great article by Michael Schultz explains why it is so important for teachers to get to know their students. Two of the points are:
- It helps teachers know the students’ strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles
- Having fun, or playing with students, is actually an effective way to build bonds and get to know each other
In other words, we can be so focused on a lesson, that we forget how crucial fun is in learning. We can have a great lesson we want students to get. But without the element of fun, we can take an interest to learn right out of everyone.
Besides, if we aren’t having fun throughout the day, they pick up on our mood. Fun, interested teachers make fun, interested students.
So no matter your skill, I hope this tall teacher cartoon inspires you to get to know your students and get in their world a little.
Editor’s Note: I originally published this blog on October 6, 2015. I revamped and updated it for timeliness and comprehensiveness.
