Sam

It was my first time teaching children. When I received the call from Teacher Jian, my heart was already filled with ideals. I began planning how to design the curriculum and how to guide the students.

However, my fantasies were shattered after the first class. Since I don’t have children of my own and lack experience in handling them, I found it challenging to deal with the intelligence and mischief of modern children.

I originally wanted to adopt a loving and nurturing approach, but it was difficult to maintain control over the classroom. Over time, the children began to test my limits and boundaries. At that point, if you fail to establish authority, it becomes nearly impossible to manage the class.

The children in rural areas are full of energy and incredibly adorable. As I gradually became familiar with them, a bond started to form, and the classroom became easier to manage. After a few classes, some children would naturally come up and hug me when they saw me, which made me feel their innocence and charm.

What stands out is that some children come from economically disadvantaged families. They struggle to focus on their studies because they often have to help with farm work during busy seasons, making art classes an even more distant dream. On the other hand, some children from better-off families face pressure to focus solely on academics, which makes it hard for them to engage in art. In class, they simply complete their assignments perfunctorily, preoccupied with their homework, studying, or punishment tasks. For others, the class is merely a place to spend time after school, like a short-term daycare.

This class includes students ranging from second to sixth grade. The younger ones have difficulty understanding instructions, while the older ones are at an age where they tend to be mischievous. Trying to transform such a diverse group into a team of art elites is indeed a formidable challenge.

That said, I am delighted to see that many children have demonstrated artistic talent. With the right guidance and effort, I believe they have a promising future ahead. I have always believed that academic study is not the only path, though it is necessary. Art can be a hobby, but it also holds great potential for success.

Whether or not I continue teaching these children next semester, I sincerely hope that each of them will find their own path in life.

這是我第一次教導小孩子，接到簡老師的電話那時候，心中就已經充滿著理想。計劃著課程要怎麼規劃？要怎麼去引導？

不過在第一堂課以後就幻想破滅，由於自己沒有小孩，也沒帶小孩的經驗。面對現代小孩子的聰明與調皮。本來想要用愛的教育，結果實在難以掌控整個場面。慢慢地小孩子會挑戰你的極限，會試探你的底線。這個時候如果沒有展現你的威嚴的話，是很難再繼續下去的。偏鄉的小孩子都很有活力，也非常的可愛，慢慢地和他們熟了，慢慢地產生感情，場面也比較容易控制了 。幾堂課裡，有的小孩見到我會自然地上前擁抱，讓我感受到小孩子的可愛、天真。特殊的是有的小孩家裡經濟狀況不好，無法很專心的唸書常在農忙時須回家幫忙，更不用談美術班了。有的是家裡的經濟不錯，所以一直要小孩專心的唸書導致小孩有壓力，所以小孩子在美術課堂裡無法專心的畫畫，只是做個功課交差了事，只想著讀書寫作業或罰寫。有的只是來報個名當作課後短暫的安親班。這個班是從小學二年級到六年級的學生都有，年紀太小聽不太懂，而高年級則是正值調皮年紀，這樣子的各路英雄人馬要訓練成一支精英部隊還真的是困難重重。雖說如此，我覺得值得開心的是裡面還是有許多小孩子展現出他繪畫的天份，只要往這個方向努力，未來絕對大有前途。

我的觀念一直覺得讀書不是唯一，但確是必須。繪畫可以是一個興趣，也絕對有他的出息。不論下學期我有沒有再繼續教導這些小孩美術。我都希望他們能在自己的人生中走出自己的一條路。