Friday Fatigue!

15 Sep 2017 53 Comments

by Ritu in Children, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: , , , , , ,

Two weeks almost done…

And the kids aren’t even in full time yet!

Switching from Nursery hat to Reception hat is surprisingly tough, you know!

Even though these two years are in the Early Years Foundation Stage, they are both very different in terms of developmental milestones a child hits.

Nursery at 3-4 years old is a time for building confidence, looking at their personal, social, and emotional development. For us, with our extremely mixed cultural demographic, it is also a time for teaching spoken communication in English, and fostering understanding of simple concepts. The children need to learn how to play together, talk together, take turns, learn patience and perseverance.

Throughout the year there is emphasis placed on counting, and learning the sounds of the alphabet through play, and recognising their names too, with hopefully, attempts at writing it.

Reception at 4-5 years old, is a time to just consolidate these things above, but there is a high expectation to really build the academic learning foundation too. These children should be writing sentences by the end of the year, counting fluently to 20, and doing simple addition and subtraction. Oh, and hopefully they should be reading simple words and sentences too!

Within both groups we need to give them experiences to enhance their learning of the world around them, culture and community and technology. They need to experience ways to create in different ways too.

So, what impact does this have on me?

My expectations for each group have to be different.

I need to remember not to push my babies too hard, and to make sure my older babies are stretching themselves enough!

The nursery children are doing a couple of hours in the morning then the afternoon session are doing two hours. We have worked on settling them, and showing them how to keep busy, trying different things.

The reception class are still doing mornings only. They are learning about structure, and listening, and exploring their new environments.

But this doesn’t mean lots of free time! No!

We have to assess each child individually, to see where they are at the start of their academic life.

In Nursery it is for our records. In Reception it is for the National Base Line.

Yes, I can sit with a cuppa and go through my paperwork. But I am running back and forth between the two classrooms to confer with my colleagues. The path from my class to the printer is wearing thin.

And that teacher tiredness encompasses all in my profession, not just me!

And I attended my first Governors meeting too, which was actually not as daunting as I thought it would be!

I arrive home and the Mummy hat goes on. Dinners for the kids are already cooked by my dear Mother In Law, so that is great! But homework, housework, laundry, all still need doing. Making the lunches for the next day, and feeding myself and Hubby Dearest also takes priority.

Then I finally sit and can write for my blog! Ritu’s ‘Me!’ hat finally on!

My novel has a little bit left, but with the tiredness I am experiencing, I don’t want to try and finish it without a fresh brain!

So when I am yawning, and craving asleep before 10 pm, I am not fighting it at all!

Do you blame me?

Right, I’m off to finish my week!

Enjoy your weekend Peeps! I’m planning on enjoying mine!

53 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. willowdot21
    Sep 17, 2017 @ 09:23:38

    Hey Sis, I have to say I admire you. Your job is so important and saying you have the future in your hands is true. Add to that being mum, wife, housekeeper, taxi and never mind Blogger and Novelist…. You leave me in the dust . Hugs Hun have a restful weekend ( though saying that to you I am probably wasting my breath 🤗) 💜💜💜💜💜

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  2. Gary
    Sep 16, 2017 @ 16:11:20

    Whilst not a teacher as such I can really empathise with it from my experiences in the Early Years sector chairing a pre-school and as a governor to a primary school working with the Year 1 and 2 teachers. Flipping between age ranges must be quite challenging and mentally exhausting keeping that happy smiley enthusiasm bubbling…and that’s BEFORE you go home to be mum!

    I now have a healthy respect for teachers too. Anyone who says otherwise needs to go and watch them for a week!!!

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. Ruth Daly
    Sep 16, 2017 @ 15:56:34

    I can so relate to this! September is always a bit of a shock to the system and I can never believe how tired I am; then after a few weeks, it all seems normal again. Just think, it will soon be December and time for concert practices… 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. amindfultravellerblog
    Sep 16, 2017 @ 14:18:02

    Ahhh it’s the changing of the hat! Don’t you love how we parents automatically switch hats to whatever and whenever is needed? The best hat is the “me”hat though…and it’s the most important too! Happy weekend lovely. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. Parul Thakur
    Sep 16, 2017 @ 14:11:06

    My Mum is a teacher too so I totally understand how much of hard work it is for teachers. Trust me, children love their teachers and I am sure you are a rock star amongst all. 🙂 Have a good weekend!

    Liked by 1 person

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  6. Jennie
    Sep 16, 2017 @ 13:52:52

    Wonderful post, Ritu! You describe children and school perfectly. We have the best job! It’s much the same here, and that means paperwork for teachers. Ugh! I have little time for that at school, so some evenings and weekends (like today) are catching up. My heart is with the children and being with them. So, I don’t mind the extra work at home. Have a great weekend, Ritu!

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. Shallow Reflections
    Sep 16, 2017 @ 13:09:45

    My grandsons finished their 2nd week of kindergarten and preschool yesterday and they were exhausted! I can only imagine how the teachers feel but now I know after reading your post. Hope you get rested up this weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. Rae Longest
    Sep 16, 2017 @ 12:54:21

    Oh my! No other comment needed.

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. fancypaperblog
    Sep 16, 2017 @ 12:44:07

    Well I am your sister living a mirror life😊 I was in bed before 10.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. MindOverMeta
    Sep 16, 2017 @ 11:26:38

    It sounds like such a fine balance knowing how to work with each year group and not pushing too little/too much. And then you are mum to your own little ones. I take my hat off to you. I certainly couldn’t do it.

    Liked by 1 person

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  11. Phil Taylor
    Sep 16, 2017 @ 11:05:05

    I can empathize. The time for us and our writing always comes last. I completely get your desire not to write unless you have a fresh brain. I’m the same way. Looking forward to your novel and featuring it on my blog when it comes out.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. emilypageart
    Sep 15, 2017 @ 21:18:52

    People who teach AND have kids astound me. You have patience that I’ll never possess. I tip my hat to you. Get it?!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. Judy E Martin
    Sep 15, 2017 @ 19:58:42

    It sounds pretty hectic at the moment, Sis. I hope that things settle down a little for you, and you can get a chance to write more 😉

    Liked by 1 person

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  14. josypheen
    Sep 15, 2017 @ 19:49:48

    Go Ritu! Those little ‘uns will appreciate your hard work (and their parents definitely will!)

    Liked by 1 person

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  15. Erika Kind
    Sep 15, 2017 @ 16:49:31

    It is cool that you have so many options now. It is a challenge to control so many places but you will find your way to manage it over the time and also get some routine. Anyway, I think it is great that you still find so much time for your writing.

    Liked by 1 person

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  16. OIKOS™-Redaktion
    Sep 15, 2017 @ 14:52:18

    Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  17. Bernadette
    Sep 15, 2017 @ 11:52:14

    Hope you have a rest filled weekend. You deserve it!

    Liked by 1 person

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  18. relationspdbeverly
    Sep 15, 2017 @ 09:39:25

    Sounds exhausting!

    Liked by 1 person

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  19. shaunkellett
    Sep 15, 2017 @ 09:32:54

    Hope you find some time to relax, Ritu!
    It’s a lot to jump back into.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  20. mstoywhisperer
    Sep 15, 2017 @ 08:52:41

    Do you ever sleep? Get some rest.

    Liked by 1 person

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  21. IreneDesign2011
    Sep 15, 2017 @ 08:06:11

    Wish you a good weekend Ritu and hope, that you can time for relaxing too 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  22. jade0207
    Sep 15, 2017 @ 07:45:41

    Wow, as a teenager that makes me think whether I want kids or not. Thank you Ritu for this fun read! Really enjoyed myself.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  23. Esther
    Sep 15, 2017 @ 07:44:54

    Enjoy your weekend as well Ritu 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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