This month I’m in Kuala Lumpor, Malaysia! I am teaching in a toddler class with 20-25 one, two, and three year olds! I know that sounds like a lot of kids but there are also 7 awesome teachers in this room as well! The first week has been a blast!! If you know me well you know teaching and Asia are two of my favorite things! The school we are working at is called Dignity. It was started by a godly couple who came here to start a church and saw the need for quality education. 20 years later they are transforming the poor through education. That is their moto and they are defiantly living up to it. They are unbelievable! They also foster 16 kids and are praying about more. This place is AMAZING! They teach children from 14 different countries and they do it in holistic manner, teaching and equipping the whole child. They teach them life skills at a young age and allow the older kids to not only get academics but also learn trades such as sewing, cooking and restaurant management, and cosmetology. They have businesses set up where students can work alongside professionals and master these skills. I have the pleasure of working in the toddler class and I’m having a ball!!! I thought I would share with you some of the funny things I have learned this week hanging out and teaching the tiniest students at the school. These kids are hilarious!
10 things I learned this week in a Malaysian Toddler Class…
1. No that kid did not smear baby powder or chalk on their head! It’s a prayer ritual! In my defense the kids had a bottle of baby powder earlier in the day! The other adults got a good laugh out of my ignorance!
2.Two and three year olds can be taught to get their own plates, cups, serve themselves, and cleanup after themselves independently.
3. Kids don’t see nationality or color they play and laugh together with everyone. We have kids from 14 different nations in this school!
4. Nap time is great and even teachers get to participate!
5. I will try anything even if I fail! Zootopia anyone? We listened to that song about a thousand times preparing for the end of the year performance.
6. Baby shark is a staple around the world! It’s a kid song.
7. We stand very still during the Malaysian National Anthem even if we are two years old.
8. “Reflection”, or time out, takes place in a restraining high chair and no one likes it.
9. Running up the slide is way more fun than sliding down never mind the danger part!
10. The teachers in this class are amazing and should get an award for wrangling 25ish 1, 2, and 3 year olds!!!
Stay tuned for some pictures and more fun stories of these cuties coming in the next few weeks!
