The Power of Persuasion

"Move your feet!  Move your feet!  Move your feet!"

BANG!  Bang!  Bang! (The sound of a wooden block being slammed into the heel of a five year old by another)

"I need your big block for my fort.  We are building a wall so the robbers won't get the money in the bank."

The growing feud is gaining steam as I hear "Don't let him see."  from the other side of the room.  Him being ME.  Mmm Hmmm. This always will get my attention no matter what near death experience is unfolding in the block center.

I whipped around to see a student flashing his i-touch around to a few peers.  My swift movement to see goes unnoticed by the growing group of five year olds who are in awe of a peer who not only has an i-touch, but that this very peer actually dared bring it to school AND is whipping it out during class time.  In an instant this young boy emerges as an idol to all of his peers and he doesn't even know it.  He will be the guy in high school who has the ladies swooning because of his audacity.

Normally I would have whipped out my "Oh, I am so disappointed." and "Oh, what would your mum and dad say if they knew you had that here?" speeches. Today seemed like it called for a more caring teacher response.  So, I waited a while and sidled up next to the i-touch wielding five year old.  I crunched down on my knees as he worked on a computer in the school computer lab and just asked the following...

1. Me: "Hey, Love your work here."  (pointing to the typing he had done on the screen.)- BIG pause ".......Are you lucky enough to have an i-phone or i-touch at home?"

Student: "Mmm Hmmm." - No eyes are taken off of the computer monitor.  So, he must not yet realize that I have seen his prized possession in the school house.

2. Me: "Do you have it here at school?" Casually dropping this pointed question while smiling.

Student: "Mmmm Hmmm." This time slowly turning to meet me face to face.  I can only imagine he is wondering what on earth I am going to say or do now.

3. Me: "Would it bother you if it got stepped on by someone else in our class?"

Student: "Mmm Hmmm"

4. Me: "Would it bother you if it was lost or if someone took it?"

Student: Now with his hands in his lap, head cocked sideways and peering straight into my eyes, "Yes."

5. Me: "Oh, OK. Just wondered what you thought about those things so that you can decide if you want to bring it back tomorrow or not." (Me standing up to walk away.)

Student: "I'm gonna keep it at home tomorrow."

Me: Smiling as I walk away thinking, Man, this job is too good! - I love it that you can actually sort of reason with someone without having to lecture."

Spending the day with 5 and 6 year olds really is good.... I wish this kind of stuff would work on adults~