Sheila G. Flaxman once said, ~Children engage in such (free) play because they enjoy it--it's self-directed. They do not play for rewards; they enjoy the doing, not the end result. Once they get bored, they go on to do something else--and continue to learn and grow.~ When it came to play back in the day, we ask kids never got bored doing what we did unlike the kids of today who get bored too easily because its not entertaining enough for them. Let me ask you this question, what did or do you enjoy doing that its considered fun/entertaining to where its a learning experience and made you grow as a person?
Personally speaking, working with kids for the past 9 years is truly entertaining and fun...most of the time. Its these kids who have endless amounts of energy as they run around to their hearts content like miniature energizer bunnies as they keep going and going and going. You oftentimes forget what its like to be a kid and not have so many responsibilites place on you, as well as, things to worry about. What's to worry about at 7 years old? I say nothing because their care free attitudes about life that makes you envious to switch places just for a moment or two to where doing something so childish to someone such as repeating every word or mimicking every movement would be an absolutely liberating experience.
Without a doubt, the funnest part about my job is the one on one interaction with "my kids" because you get to know each of them on an individual basis. As you get to know them you get to know their likes, dislikes, temperments, weaknesses, strengths, etc. Essentially, you become something more to that child or group of children than just a person who simply clocks in, does one's job, and then clocks out. It's that connection you have with children doesn't happen overnight, but sometimes it does and kids know immediately if they dislike you or welcome you with open arms. For it takes somenoe who genuinely likes being around kids to show others someone that there are people who still care about the youth of the nation.
However, its not only the connection you have with the kids that makes what I do awesome, its the connection you have with the parents as well. When it comes to parents or a parent they see the impact/influence you have on them to where they thank you personally for being part of his or her life. In a way myself and my fellow co-workers/ friends are second as an extended family member, though not blooded related because they talk about us at home. For Its that type of gratitude from a parent that makes all the headaches we go through well worth it all because you making a difference in his or her life even if it is for several hours each week.
About a month ago, one of my 6 & 7 year old girls invited my best friend and I to her birthday party on Saturday, which coincided with us seeing the movie Aeon Flux ealier that afternoon. By the way, it was a excellent movie that I highly recommend go seeing and buying when it comes out on DVD. Anyways, when we arrived and walked through the door her face lit up bright as can be and in that short time we spent with her it made not only her day but her mom's as well, which she thanked us for. We gave her gift, wished her a happy birthday, and took a picture with her. In retrospect, you never really know how big or small of an impact you make on children until you personally hear and/or see it firsthand and to me that's cool
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