W is for Words From The Mouths Of Babes

One of the best things about teaching preschool, besides the hugs, the cute drawings, and the snacks, are the words that come out of their mouths. Sometimes sweet (who can resist an exuberant "I love you!" from a 4 year old, I ask you?), sometimes hilarious, always interesting. Following is a representative sampling:

Circle Time, reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar and discussing the life cycle of the butterfly:

Me: The caterpillar hatches from an egg, then it eats leaves and grows and then makes a chrysalis. A butterfly emerges from the chrysalis and soon it lays eggs. And what comes out of the eggs the butterfly laid?

3 year old boy: A baby butterfly!
4 year old boy: A caterpillar!
4 year old girl: A chick!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Circle Time, same class, different day:

Me: What month is it?

4 year old girl: June!
4 year old boy: May!
4 year old girl: Thursday!

(The correct answer was April.)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

At Music class, discussing the week's Bible verse and Bible word:

Music Teacher: Who knows what the Bible word this week is? Under--  Under--?

4 year old boy: Pressure?

(The correct answer here would be understanding.)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Inside the classroom, just after a trip to the bathroom: 

3 year old girl: I went poop on the potty! High five!

Me: Wait. Did you wash your hands?

3 year old girl: Yes.

Me: Really well?

3 year old girl: Yes.

Me: High five!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Same girl, same day:

3 year old girl: You have to eat salad, because it makes your poop better.

Me: Well, yes, it does.

3 year old girl: Why does it hurt when I poop?

Me: Because you don't eat your salad.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

At table time:

4 year old girl: You want to know what I want to be when I grow up?

Me: What do you want to be?

4 year old girl: Well, since you 're so good at teaching, I want to be a teacher!

Best. Job. Ever.