Ouchy on the Gochu

So, many of you know who Heemin is, the little 3 year old in my class. He is the smallest of the two boys and also the youngest. This is a little story about Heemin....

Last friday, we had a field trip to a contemporary art museum, don't ask. I'm pretty sure it was one of the most boring trips my students have ever been on....almost as bad as the railroad museum "toot" "toot"! Anyway....there was this statue of a little naked boy with his penis showing. Heemin ran up the the statue and grabbed the penis proudly calling it "Gochu"! Gochu is the word for a spicy, long red pepper that is commonly found in Korea. Adults also commonly refer to the penis by this word as a type of slang. The lunch ladies found it hilarious.....the curator...not so hilarious....after all.....it was supposed to be art. Heaven forbid you touch it.

On monday, we had a little incident in the classroom. I was hugging one of my students and Heemin wanted a hug too. As many children have done before him, he climbed up onto the chair, carefully stepping only on the edges....it was planned I'm sure. His little bit of weight caused the chair to tip over, gravity pulling Heemin to the floor. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Heemin falling in what seemed like slow motion. First, his mid-section landed on the edge of the upturned chair, second, his face landed on the leg of the chair, third his hands finally landed on the floor. Truth be known, children do not land feet first. After a short pause, a deafening scream pierced the air. Heemin was most definitely in extreme pain. I whipped him up and hugged him as he was crying. after he calmed down a little I asked him where he hurt. He pointed to his groin. Knowing he didn't know the word for penis I asked him if it was his Gochu that hurt. He shook his head yes and began crying again. The lunch lady thought this was hilarious that I called it his Gochu....but honestly don't you htink it would've been the wrong time to teach him the word penis?

Annie