Ms.B is Georgia Bound!

During the month of June, I will spend time servicing children at a summer camp in Georgia! The #onemillionchildrenreadingcampaign is coming your way! #msbthestoryteller

Out of the Mouth of a Child by Beverly F Jones

Out of the mouth of a child ♡ by Beverly F Jones

I invited a child, who appeared to be 2 years old, to read my tractor story with me while sitting on a park bench. I wouldn't have done so if she had left me there to read alone.

The child's mother glimpsed at me each time the child approached me and giggled, but she said nothing to deter the child from coming near. I believe she looked at me as an extra set of eyes as she watched her other children play basketball with their friends.

Well...the giggling and looking turned into more as the child continued to hover over me. I soon realized that my free babysitting job was about to begin. Yeah, I could have walked away, but, that would mean I'd give up a clean park bench and fresh air to sit in my car and burn manufactured air. It was a beautiful windy day, of course I made the split second decision to stay; then my free babysitting job began as most unintentional, park bench sitting jobs do, with a random question from the child???.

The child asked, "Whatcha du? (in translation: What are you doing?) I smiled and replied, "I am reading a book about tractors! :)"

She smiled and said,"I tan't wead about twactors."

(in translation: I can't read a book about tractors).

I stated, "This tractor is parked on a farm."

She smiled and asked, "What ell?"

(in translation: "What else)?"

I realized that I had taken the bait, and I was caught on this adorable little hook of a child. I also realized that there was no possible way for me to swim away now!

I proceeded to disclose additional facts from the story, "Farmers drive tractors while working on their farms."

She consistently asked, "What ell?"

(In translation : "What else?")

The child used the same persistent tone, with the same adorable facial expression,... a smile :)

After a 10 minute inquisition, I thought, "I've told her the entire story."

By then, it was time for me to return to my car; and my manufactured air, or I'd be late for my next appointment at a school. Before leaving, I wanted to ask at least one question.

I explained, "It's my turn to ask questions."

The 2 year old replied, "O'Tay." (In translation : "Okay.")

I wanted to keep my question basic to help her successfully reply.

I simply asked, "Where do you think the tractor went after it left the farm?"

This question shouldn't have been difficult, since I had just disclosed the answer. I felt she would put 2 and 2 together and reply since she obviously learned how to ask questions by giving and receiving answers. Well...Let's just say, "She did reply!" (SMH)

The 2 year old smiled, but this time, the smile was brief, followed by a smirk and scary looking eyes. It was a little devious, but still cute at this point. I felt a little uncomfortable watching her smile change so drastically, but, she's 2 years old, I would imagine me being safe in the company of a 2 year old. 

As I tried to rationalize my level of safety, I thought, 'what if this is a gifted 2 year old who could really challenge me cognitively?, i would be embarrassed beyond repair.' 

I wanted to solicit the mother for help, but before I could, the child forcefully stated, "'You habba tell me the tory fust!" (In translation: "You have to tell me the story first!") Oh yeah, and her little finger was pointing in my direction.

Oh, she didn't stop there, she also shouted,

"Fust, you habba wead the wrurds, then I can say the pictas next SILLY!"

(In translation: "First, you have to read the words, then I can say the pictures next SILLY! "

I thought a few things after hearing her reply in this manner:

My first thought, 'Isn't it amazing how children can perfectly use descriptive words when calling you out your name?',

My second thought, 'Instead of asking her to refrain from calling me SILLY, and walking away shamefully, I'll save face by saying something memorable, plus, her mom is probably listening and giggling inside.'

After having those thoughts, the next words to be expelled from my mouth were, "Wow! Someone has been reading to you. You seem remember exactly how you like storytime to go!"

What the old school teacher in me was thinking sounded like this:

"Wow! What just happened? Am I not safe to chat with a child these days? Am I really, a veteran early childhood educator who is being bullied by a cute little 2 year old with pictails and purple ponytail holders on her twisty curly hair? What is this world coming to....? Really, is this how my lunch break is going to end after I was kind enough to babysit for free?' 

I also thought, 'Why isn't her mother correcting her?'

Since the child's mother didn't have the guts to look back, or correct her, I did what comes naturally to any other storyteller sitting on a park bench, providing free babysitting and storytelling services.

I took a deep breath, counted to 10, then read the words' as the child had sternly suggested.

She retold the entire story, without looking at the pictures! She smiled after retelling the story and said, "Stank you for weading to me!" (In translation : " Thank you for reading to me!")

I dropped my head and smiled.

When I looked up, she was in her brother's arm proudly proclaiming, "I habba a new frwend just like you!" (In translation : " I have a new friend, just like you! ")

He smiled and said, "Play nicely!"

She looked back, smiled at me and said, "I did!"

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