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Taking Care of
the Future
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Yin-Chen (right) |
Lin Yin-Chen has been
involved in early childhood education for over 20 years. She is
currently the director of the Xing Fu (Happiness) Day Care Center in
Tainan, Taiwan.
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Diya |
Diya Chopra received
Montessori teacher training and has been working at the Delhi Public
School nursery in India for the past three years.
What attracted you to the idea of being a
teacher for small children? Was the reality of the job what you
expected?
Diya: I am excited by the idea of
helping the next generation to grow into world citizens who can
contribute to society. Ever since I was a child I wanted to be a
teacher, but I never imagined that children would be so much fun to be
with.
Yin-Chen: I believe that nothing is more precious than
children’s well-being, and I feel fortunate to be around children all
day long. When I first started, I found things very difficult, but I was
lucky to have wonderful colleagues and, with their support, I’ve been
able to rise above each challenge. Now, as an administrator, each year I
set specific targets, and we’ve always met or surpassed these.
What is the most difficult thing about your
job, and how do you cope with it?
Diya: For me, being patient was one
of the most difficult things at first. Now I self-reflect more. I feel
that we, as adults, are role models for the children and they will
emulate whatever they see in their environment.
Yin-Chen: It has been more than 10
years since I made the transition from being a kindergarten teacher to
running a kindergarten. Looking back, the most difficult aspect was
having to face so many responsibilities each day--solving human
relationship issues and administrative problems, managing nutrition and
sanitation, planning and coordinating events, ensuring good
communication with the parents, safety, etc. As the administrator, your
wisdom is constantly challenged to get through the day efficiently and
effectively. You need courage and conviction when you’re in a difficult
situation. Also you have to face situations head-on with the
determination not to be defeated, and do all you can until you succeed.
These are attitudes that I’ve learned and cultivated through my Buddhist
practice and SGI activities.
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What do you like most about your job?
Yin-Chen: I am really grateful to be
able to work with a team of excellent teachers. And the greatest
pleasure for me is to be able to watch the children grow up safely and
happily.
Diya: Interacting with children from
different backgrounds really opens my mind and helps me to grow.
How do you stop yourself losing your temper
with difficult children?
Yin-Chen: I appreciate more than
anything else the fact that I have been able to get to know and be
around these children. I try to always regard each child as an
individual with dignity, and I always pray for their happiness. The fact
is that getting mad at them never solves the problem. Admonition,
encouragement and praise bring out fantastic results. Children have
extremely sensitive minds and hearts, so we have to respond to them with
honesty and sincerity, and use difficulties as nourishment for our
development as educators. That way, both the children and we the
teachers can grow together.
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[©Martin Poole/The
Image Bank/Getty Images] |
Diya: It is quite a challenge. Initially I did lose my
temper, but now I handle such situations better. My Buddhist practice is
very helpful and enables me to draw out wisdom to deal with different
situations and to base my actions on concern for the children. For
example, I had a student in my class who would hit the other children
and the teachers in anger. I addressed the situation based on my
practice and prayer and brought it to the notice of the principal and
parents, with the intent of finding out the root of the problem so that
the child could be helped.
What’s your basic approach to getting children
to cooperate (with you and with each other)?
Yin-Chen: I try to make sure that
the teachers and children have a common awareness by helping them
understand the meaning and purpose of each activity and making a
thorough plan in advance. We always put the children first.
Diya: My basic approach is to be
friends with the children and at the same time try to make them
understand that they have come to school to learn and create value, that
with cooperation and sharing, things can be done more easily.
What elements of Buddhist philosophy are most
useful to you in your day-to-day work?
Yin-Chen: I try to greet each day
with a sense of appreciation. There is a Buddhist text that says this
world is "where living beings enjoy themselves at ease." I try to create
value each day. Obstacles can spur one’s growth. I always pray that I
will be able to cherish those around me and enjoy helping others instead
of being trapped in my own problems. I also try to have the attitude to
continually develop myself and to use my time more effectively.
Diya: My Buddhist practice has given
me the courage to challenge difficult situations with the belief that I
can bring forth the required abilities to succeed. I struggled a lot
when I was at school with very poor grades and very low self-confidence.
My teachers just about gave up on me. Based on my Buddhist practice,
though, I was able to turn the situation around completely. So much so
that later, after I graduated and completed a teachers training course,
my ex-vice principal, who had been unwilling to let me sit my exams,
recommended me for a job as a nursery school teacher at my old school.
Also, SGI President Ikeda’s constant emphasis on dialogue is very
inspiring for me. Through dialogue with the parents I try and help the
children in every way possible.
What do you see as the most important values to
transmit to young children?
Diya: Truth, cooperation, working in
unity with one another and most importantly solving problems through
dialogue are I think the most important values to transmit to the
children.
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Yin-Chen: To have confidence in their own unique abilities
and bring out their own potential, and to learn the spirit of gratitude
and sharing. The founding president of the Soka Gakkai, Tsunesaburo
Makiguchi, an educator, said that the ultimate purpose of education is
children’s happiness. We need to help children acquire the basic life
skills so that they can take care of themselves and care for others. I
deeply believe that children have unlimited potential, and through
working with them, I have come to believe even more deeply that we can
unlock this through love, confidence, understanding and dedication.
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