Why do we have a baby at home?
Amika doesn’t understand why her baby sister gets all the attention. But when Teacher Mieke guides the class through a morning of pretend play, Amika begins to see the world through a baby’s eyes.
“I don’t like babies at all!” Amika complains one morning during circle time in class. Her friends are shocked, because all of them know that Amika has a brand-new baby sister at home.
“Babies are always friendly and lovable! They smell so nice and always smiles at you,” Teacher Mieke answers her.
“This is not true! I have a little baby sister at home and all she does is cry, poo and drink! Mommy is always busy with her and doesn’t even notice when I bump my toe and cry!”
Teacher immediately realizes what is happening here. She may be a little jealous. It is going to take time and patience to explain to her what the problem is.
“Today we are going to have a fun morning. We are going to play house-house. Everybody will take turns to be Mommy, Daddy or baby. What do you think? Should the baby have a brother or a sister?”
“Yes, Teacher!” the whole class shouts.
“That is fine. I think Amika must first be the baby in her family.”
Teacher keeps a watchful eye on what is happening. Amika immediately falls to the floor and kicks and screams. Teacher Mieke can’t believe this is the friendly, sweet little girl she knows. She picks her up and comforts her.
“Now what is wrong, Baby, why are you crying so much?” Teacher asks in a very caring voice.
“My tummy aches! My ears ache and I have a wet nappy!”
“Now can you see, Sweetheart, this is exactly why your baby sister cries? She cannot speak to Mommy and therefore she cries when something is wrong with her. You must also remember that she cannot walk by herself and also cannot use the toilet. This is the reason she still wears a nappy.
Babies also get hungry very quickly and don’t have the patience to wait until someone feeds them. You must listen carefully. You will hear that they have a different cry when they are hungry to when they have a soiled nappy.”
Amika listens carefully to what Teacher Mieke is telling her.
“But I also want to sit on Mommy’s lap. Mommy never reads me a story at bedtime anymore and that upsets me. She bathes the baby when it is my Story Time.”
“Amika, I will speak to Mommy about this, but in the meantime come and sit on my lap while I read our Tonsil Story to the class.”
Amika cuddles with Teacher and now smiles for the first time, today.
Sometimes you just need someone to listen when you have a complaint. That is why you can always speak to your teacher when your heart is aching.