Fonda's Extended Stay : Week #2

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Wow, time really flies! I can't believe I have been here for almost three weeks and have just over one week left.  I'm learning a lot about this culture and how students are similar in so many ways. They have the same needs- to be loved, accepted, and valued. One can look at their needs or lack of resources,  but the parents try to give them the best opportunities they can. For example, I met a 2 year old boy last year at his home and now I discovered he is in the Early Childhood Centre daily (8am-1 pm).  How wonderful that he can be in a safe, loving environment with caring staff teaching him basic life skills. It seems very young to start “school”,  but the children also receive nutritious snacks and lunch, along with a small box of “leche” (milk) to take home daily. They are making friends, developing listening skills, learning to follow directions, share, and cooperate with others. The photo is of a little girl wearing a heavy sweater because it was “frio, frio”.  It was 28°C.

Here are some photos of my attempt at teaching the teachers how to make homemade playdough. We didn't have a stove to use and no food coloring.  As usual, they were innovative in using crepe paper dipped in water and squeezing out the dye. We just used boiled water, but that may have been the problem. It looked like a successful venture until 2 days later; it was a FLOP - too dry and crumbled into dust.

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Next week I will share more about the high school students.  I am loving the time I get to spend with them as well. Surprisingly rewarding, as my teaching career focused on young students.

-Fonda