3 principle tenets about teaching foster children

Just realized that the old show Newsradio (featuring Canadian Dave Foley) is really just a remake of WKRP in Cincinnati. Think about (if you are familiar with both stories) - it's right down to the individual characters.

I have 3 principle tenets about teaching the foster children. They are shaped by a respect and consideration of signicant factors:

1. I am teaching part-time


2. These are very young children

The tenets that shape my teaching are:

1. Foster a positive and encouraging approach to English


2. Develop self-esteem and sense of self among the children


3. develop an adaptation to change

Missing on this list is any mention that students need to learn English or be able to express themselves. That is because since this is an extracurricular class, I think it would be unfair to impose English learning on the students. I rather the honus (pressure) be on me to make learning fun, interesting and worthwhile, independent of the young age or disinterest of the students.

So far the students are very enthusiastic about learning English, sometimes too excited. To fill the gap of English learning from such short time every week, I have provided English videos with material relating to the classes and asked the childcare workers that their TV viewing time feature more English. They have been very enthusaiastic about the videos, and I hope they will be as well to the TV viewing.

About the particular elements on the list:

1. Foster a positive and encouraging approach to English

One year of English only teaches so much - life-long learning teaches a life's worth. Instead of focusing on drilling and hammering the material, I instead prefer to foster enthusiasm and interest and hope that developing a positive attitude
will help the students soak up the English around them throughout their lives.


2. Develop self-esteem and sense of self among the children

Developing self-esteem develops a student's sense and eagerness to express themselves while also developing their sense of self. A sense of self among children is important - a children will act out if they are demanding attention or they are confused about their feelings. I regularly ask children if they are ready to perform material in front of the class, and answer questions openly.


3. develop an adaptation to change

Foster children have a life of uncertainty and change, and without being aable to prepare for it or accept it, the stress can be very upsetting. In a comfortable environment, I seek to change things, for children to figure things out and adapt. Such as changing the sequence and material covered in the classes and the class location.