Paper and A Box of Crayons

This past year was my first year of teaching. Being in a public county school I see a lot of diversity between my students. Since I teach kindergarten, the students are attempting to figure out what school is, while I'm receiving a lot about their diverse personalities and how they learn best. If you've ever taught this age, you understand the struggle. 

One student in particular made a huge impact on me. He lives in a foster home with a foster mom and 7 other children and is a result of a drug-induced pregnancy. This affected the way he responded to certain events and how he dealt with his various emotions. Most people would make quick judgments and say he was a "behavioral" child, when really he could not control what he felt or how he reacted. If something did not go his way, he would throw a temper tantrum and become extremely defiant. However, without a word, he would get up in the middle of a lesson, hug me, and sit back down. He craved attention and love!!

We had had half days throughout the year, but this half day in particular he refused to get ready for dismissal. He sat on the floor in the corner of the room with his arms crossed and a sour look on his face. I kept asking him to get ready for the bus, but he insisted on pouting. After scurrying around the room getting everyone else ready, I finally walked over to him and asked him why he was so upset. He told me he didn't want to go home, because he wasn't allowed to do anything. I naturally said, "I'm sure that's not true! What do you like to do when you go home?" He then responded by saying, "Nothing. I don't have anything to do." 

After asking him about multiple activities he could try, I asked him if he would like to color. He told me he wanted to but didn't have paper and crayons at home. He had become so frustrated he started to cry. I told him to hold on and quickly went around the room to grab some paper and a new box of crayons I had in my closet. I handed the items to him and told him, "Now you can draw as many pictures as you want. Are you excited to go home now?" He looked up at me, thanked me, and with a huge smile on his face he went to get his backpack. 

This child was so loving, but did not always know how to express his emotions appropriately. While I couldn't personally understand the situation he had a home, I could control the situation he experienced in our classroom. I hope it was a good one.