My Work With Kids
I have worked several jobs within the last several years. All of them have one thing in common.
They involved working with children.
AFTER SCHOOL
My very first job was with an after school program at an elementary school, I only worked four hours a day five days a week. I loved it! I got to hang out with kids kindergarten through fifth grade for several hours a school day.
The best part (besides the children of course) was getting to plan games and crafts. WE had a theme each week, and the four workers including me came up with three games and a craft. I love planning and getting things ready each day,
I enjoyed the games for sure, but my favorite part of the day was craft time. We could ask for pretty much any materials from the parks and recreation office. Pinterest became my best friend.
We had a discipline system where the kids earned blue tickets for positive behavior and red for negative behavior. This became a competition and several prizes were given away.
Of course we had to do homework, which was definitely not my favorite thing to day.
I loved those kids, especially when it was my last day. They all crowded the front door so I couldn’t get out and then I got a bunch of hugs. It was a great job, but the next one was better,
DAYCARE
The next job I had was at a local daycare. This daycare had kids ages six weeks to twelve year olds. That means I learned everything from feeding babies, changing diapers, helping put kids down for naps, and serving food. These are just the necessary things that needed to happen. We also had fun! Once again, we did crafts and we played outside, I worked in all of the classrooms at some point, but I was mostly placed in the two year old room
I absolutely loved those kids. They were so creative and silly, I don’t remember a day I didn’t laugh.
I love =d the other classrooms as well. During my time there, COVID was beginning to spread a lot more, so the school agers stayed with us all day. I absolutely loved working with those kids. We did art, watched videos, played outside and just chilled, which was nice.
I began to realize that this job was fun, but it wasn’t for me
EXCEPTIONAL LEARNING
This job was one I had wanted for many years, and had applied for a couple times. When I finally got offered a job offer, I was thrilled beyond belief.
When I started the job, I was a little nervous. I honestly felt this nervousness every day when I walked in the door. I was so afraid I was going to mess things up. I loved the students and my coworkers deeply
It was amazing each day to see these kids grow and change. I saw kids use their words, learn how to express themselves appropriately, and grow in any way possible.
I connected with several of the kids. Hugs were sent around freely and every milestone reached was celebrated.
My favorite memory was getting to ride in a county car to pick up one of our students. WE connected each day through a Percy The Tank Engine toy and nursery rhymes on my phone
I loved going to the gym with my kiddos because there were so many things for them to do. Several liked the bikes, some of them played with balls, and one in particular loved to dance around in circles to the music. It was so nice to see them all enjoying themselves.
I might not have been the best at the job, but I still loved it.
CURRENT DAY
Now I’m on a completely different spectrum of ages. I always loved my little ones, but my current job is my perfect fit. Those kids have and always will have a big part of my heart.
