http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/09/protecting-teacher-tom.html
var addthis_config = {“data_track_clickback”:true};
I attempt to not have any agenda all through all the day past the barest considered one of conserving the kids comparatively unhurt and taking part in, however throughout this specific time of our day collectively, after I’ve already finished my work of preparing, I’m particularly agenda-free so it is a good time for simply hanging out taking pictures the breeze with no matter children select to linger.
Sooner or later, a boy who usually doesn’t cease to speak with me, who’s normally operating full velocity with a stick in his hand, pretending together with his buddies to be motion characters of some kind, declared that he was going to “defend” me.
I mentioned, “That could be good.”
He wrangled a step stool into place and parked himself immediately in entrance of me, stick-sword on the prepared.
“I like being protected,” I advised him, “It makes me really feel protected.” He was doing a reasonably good job too, though, in all honesty, nobody had but examined his protecting skills. I used to be really form of curious what would occur if one other child did method me as a result of though this boy likes taking part in motion video games, he is not susceptible to precise violence.
He smiled at me rapidly, however appeared to really feel that his job was to sit down nonetheless, surveying the grounds. Certainly, I do not assume I would ever seen him sit nonetheless for this lengthy and I have been his instructor for 3 years. Quickly, with few intruders to fend off, he grew stressed. “I will get some . . .” He did not end his sentence, however he returned moments later with a pair of chairs that he rigorously organized on both aspect of his stool. I figured they have been meant as some form of barrier, however they have been, he advised me, seats for different protectors.
At one level we have been approached by a boy with one thing to say to me. I cautioned him, pointing at my guard, “He is defending me.” Earlier than he may reply, my protector was on his toes, completely balanced like a martial arts grasp, posed defensively as if to say together with his physique, Not one step nearer, buddy!
Unintimidated, the boy got here nearer which prompted my protector to execute a sequence of strikes that appeared like one thing from a Bruce Lee film, excessive kicks and all. The truth that he did this in such shut quarters with out really making contact, intentional or in any other case, was spectacular. I mentioned, “Thanks for shielding me,” earlier than participating with the boy, nonetheless unfazed, who had one thing to inform me.
I believe we’re typically too fast to label motion play as “aggressive” or “violent,” when in reality it’s really this, safety play. I am going to always remember when a woman complained concerning the “tremendous heroes” telling us that they scared her. The superheroes have been genuinely shocked to listen to this, “However we’re superheroes,” considered one of them mentioned in disbelief, “We save individuals!” So sure, whereas there could also be some fake aggression or violence, for most youngsters, more often than not, that is what it is about: taking part in at defending the remainder of us from evil. And sure, generally there are “unhealthy guys,” that are a mandatory a part of these types of video games, simply as there have to be infants after we play at being mommies.
Earlier than lengthy, the chairs on both aspect of my protector have been crammed by children who agreed to hitch the order. All of them sat there collectively, between me and the world, for fairly a very long time. Certainly, they have been nonetheless there, defending me, even when my grownup agenda lastly known as me away.
