- research more stories for children which suits their context better. Do not tell the story of Little Red Riding Hood. Ever. Again.
- find stories you believe in.
- explore more stories written by authors you like. Because that's how you bumped into Mahasweta Devi's Ek-kori's Dream and this
- don't rely on spontaneity every time.
- children usually don't play games when it comes to affection or admiration. If they like you, they will happily let you know. So do your job and stop asking them to keep quiet.
- throw Enid Blyton in the dust bin along with moral stories. Work hard on finding/developing alternatives.
- stop reading stories with an imagined child-reader in mind. Do you like it? Would you want to share it?That is what matters. Let them decide for themselves. Even if they are six years old.
- engage with their sarcasm, if you receive it. Don't shut them out, don't make it an ego issue.
- if they want to play antakshari, go ahead and join them. Since when did storytelling become Compulsory Attendance?
- don't be afraid to say, "I don't know." To the kids, to yourself.
- don't be afraid of a noisy class. A silent class isn't always an indication of interest.
- ask lots of questions to them, but be careful when they ask you for answers.
- strictly avoid being self-righteous when discussing women's rights. Strictly avoid being patronising when they say something preposterous (eg. female infanticide doesn't exist any more). The difference between being patronising and being surprised is not a thin one.
- never forget what you were like when you were a kid. (ref: previous point)
- learn to let go of nostalgia when it becomes suffocating.
- put your heart on your sleeve, but don't shield the kids if you are disappointed by them.
- don't shield the kids, period.
- if you haven't prepared properly, let them know. Face their disappointment, don't hurry them off to an activity.
- be kind.
- find stories you believe in.
- explore more stories written by authors you like. Because that's how you bumped into Mahasweta Devi's Ek-kori's Dream and this
- don't rely on spontaneity every time.
- children usually don't play games when it comes to affection or admiration. If they like you, they will happily let you know. So do your job and stop asking them to keep quiet.
- throw Enid Blyton in the dust bin along with moral stories. Work hard on finding/developing alternatives.
- stop reading stories with an imagined child-reader in mind. Do you like it? Would you want to share it?That is what matters. Let them decide for themselves. Even if they are six years old.
- engage with their sarcasm, if you receive it. Don't shut them out, don't make it an ego issue.
- if they want to play antakshari, go ahead and join them. Since when did storytelling become Compulsory Attendance?
- don't be afraid to say, "I don't know." To the kids, to yourself.
- don't be afraid of a noisy class. A silent class isn't always an indication of interest.
- ask lots of questions to them, but be careful when they ask you for answers.
- strictly avoid being self-righteous when discussing women's rights. Strictly avoid being patronising when they say something preposterous (eg. female infanticide doesn't exist any more). The difference between being patronising and being surprised is not a thin one.
- never forget what you were like when you were a kid. (ref: previous point)
- learn to let go of nostalgia when it becomes suffocating.
- put your heart on your sleeve, but don't shield the kids if you are disappointed by them.
- don't shield the kids, period.
- if you haven't prepared properly, let them know. Face their disappointment, don't hurry them off to an activity.
- be kind.
