Academic Summer Class, Yes or No?

The school year is over here in the Philippines and as teachers, we have the privilege to have our 60-day rest with pay. Isn't that great? However, I am not one of them because I am still not in a permanent position but it's okay.

A number of parents asked me if I am going to open summer classes for kindergarten and I vehemently said no not because I am lazy to teach but I do not think summer classes for 2-5 year olds are necessary. Some parents insisted that I should conduct summer classes but I advised them to enroll their kids on a more productive class that enhances their skills like swimming, art, or music. Children will eventually learn how to read and write, I don't see any reason why parents are rushing their kids to be brilliant and smart. Listen, these qualities are genetically made up and all you have to do as parents is supply your children books and foster their love for reading. Toddlers do not need to undergo academic summer classes because I personally believe that it further strains their young brains and it makes them feel forced to study their lessons whereas their contemporaries are always playing with kites and bikes.

Like I always say, they are kids, let them enjoy their childhood.

Voiceless Alert

A teacher's only weapon is his/her voice. How can one teach if he/she is voiceless?

I am suffering from tonsillitis today and made a no-talk policy inside the classroom. I communicated with my pupils through sign language (which means pointing at things, haha) with very minimal talk. It's our free day anyway and we did not have new lessons to take up so I had let the kids play on their own.

During their snack period, a pupil came to me and asked me if we could play outside. I said no because I don't want to shout at them. Then the little girl said: "Then don't shout!" I laughed and told her that it's impossible because they become too rowdy when they're outside the classroom. The little girl then said, "I promise you won't shout at us, just let us play outside." I smiled at her and sweetly said, "Of course not my dear."

My throat still hurts and I still refrain from talking.