The First Time Ever

Do you remember what it feels like to do something for the first time? As we get older I guess it happens less and less, especially if you are not the adventurous type. One of the reasons I enjoy teaching is that I get to be with children as they experience things for the first time ever, and I get to share in their excitement while they do!

With Zanté and Lexi being quite young there are many "first times" happening daily. Of course there are the usual milestones such as first time sitting unaided, first steps, first word and so on, but there are also more fun first times, such as the first time they go down the slide head-first! One of the firsts I got most excited about was the first time Zanté drew a human-ish figure, and right now I'm really looking forward to the first time Lexi decides to use the toilet by herself.

At the STACK (Skills Training for Community Kids) Class I was fortunate enough to share another first with one of our young attendees. It was her first time attempting a crossword  puzzle. When I presented her with the activity she had no idea how to start, so together we went through the basics of how some of the clues' answers are to be written "across" and some "down" and how the numbers tell you which answer to write where. This sweet seven-year old showed a wonderful "can-do"attitude and after working through about three answers with me she told me that she was ready to do it by herself, which she did - and perfectly too!