Whole other outlook

The experience at the Daycare was a whole other outlook for me since working with children is what I want to do. I loved my experience at the daycare, even though I did have some hard times with certain things, but overall it helped me realize how children of different ages all interact with each other. My profession is going to be a teacher. Hopefully teaching grades between K-4 is where I hope to teach. Between my job as a Nanny for the past 4 years, as well as substituting grades from K-4 and this internship I am lucky to experience 3 different experiences working with children. Being a Nanny I feel as a second mother, substituting is doing what I love and that is teaching children, and finally the daycare, being able to help the children learn what they need to to carry with them into Kindergarden.

During my last couple of days it is going to be hard to leave the daycare, since most of the children know who I am and come to me with whatever problems they have. Its hard because this is what I love to do, work with children and you can become attached to children that you have spent a great deal of time with.

Progress!

I have finally made progress with one of the little boys name Anthony. I'm not sure if I have mentioned him in a previous post, but basically Anthony is 2 yrs old boy who seems to be the "problem child" in the classroom. He is the youngest child in the class and doesn't speak yet. His only way of communication is to either yell, scream, or bite. And trust me he has done them all to me. I seemed to be drawn to him because I felt like it was a challenge to see the progress I could make with him every time I came to work. Finally yesterday I made progress! All the children were eating snack and Anthony kept getting up from the table and he left his mess there. All the teachers kept telling him to throw it away and to clean up but he wouldn't. Than I took him and sat him in his chair, knelled down to his level and nicely told him, "I would appreciate it Anthony if you could clean up your mess from snack. You would be helping the whole class if you did and you would be a big helper." So while stomping his feet all the way to the trashcan he threw his trash away. I praised him, told him he did a great job and gave him a high five and he was happy and proud of himself. The other teachers were shocked because Anthony always gives them trouble. Being a Nanny I know what trouble is, but you can't just yelled at the children or order them. You have to treat them with respect in order to gain respect. They need to feel like they belong, and for Anthony being the smallest child in the class he feels out of place. You can tell because he goes off on his own and does his own thing. I'm very happy that I made progress with him, and hope to make more with my last few days there!

Busy Busy

Sorry I haven't gotten a chance to write! Been super busy, along with the Internship. Last week I was finally put in charge of a group of the children. I taught them a lesson, and than gave them free time and worked on a puzzle with them. I still do odd jobs such as washing the dishes, and making snacks. I'm enjoying my time with the children, and it will be strange when I am done and won't see them anymore. Teaching the lesson last week was good experience for me, since this week is my first week to start substituting. I don't know where I make the time for all of this. I don't stop. I will be going to the daycare in the morning, that is if I get done this 10 page paper in a resonable hour tonight!! Hope you all have a good week!