Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/parent-teacher-relationships-in-family-child-care-settings/5026926/
As I stand inside my classroom door, waiting to send off well wishes to one of my pre-K students leaving for the day, I can hear the child’s mother telling this precocious 4-year-old girl, “If you don’t put your shoes on, you’re going to hurt your feet going to the car.” Then a pause, as the child flails about on the floor. The mother holds a shoe in one hand with her other hand on her hip, attempting to give her daughter a stern look, though falling short. The mother continues talking calmly to the child, who is now kicking her feet in the air, “Okay then, you’re just going to hurt your feet. Let’s go.”
I look bewildered at this mother, who then leads the child out the door to their car. My driveway is indeed problematic on the feet as it is made of gravel and rocks. I have not been able to afford concrete, so even I do not walk down the long drive to my mailbox without shoes. Otherwise, I would be cringing every step of the way, walking precariously, and would most likely stub a toe. But the little girl does not seem to mind the discomfort ...