Jumpstart is an early childhood education program that works towards diminishing the education gap by preparing children in nearby neighborhoods for kindergarten and promoting a love of literacy. As any other corp member or team leader will tell you, Jumpstart is a huge part of their college experience. Between training, team planning, individual prep and sessions in the classroom, Jumpstart can take up about as much time as a part-time job. However, you shouldn't let the time commitment scare you— any corp member or team leader will also tell you that they are passionate about what they are doing and that working with Jumpstart is one of the best things that you could do with your time in college. With scheduling for next year coming up, I'd encourage any student who thinks they might be interested in Jumpstart to make time in their schedules for it next year. Honestly, when after graduation will you be allowed this much time a week that you can dedicate to working with your community to diminish the education gap? If for some reason this alone isn't enough to convince you, here are 10 more reasons why Jumpstart deserves a little bit of your free time and a whole lot of your love:
1. Seeing the kids' reactions when you walk into the classroom never gets old.
Neither does the chorus of high-pitched "HI JUMPSTARTS."
2. Watching a child meet one of their goals for the first time and just being like:
Especially the first time they can spell and write their name without any help. YES. VICTORY.
3. Seeing the lessons you've been working on come into play in the classroom is probably the equivalent to how Michelangelo felt looking at the finished Sistine Chapel.
The day one child apologizes to another for hurting their feelings without being prompted is a beautiful, beautiful day.
4. Connecting with a child is one of the best moments you can have while working with Jumpstart.
It also serves as a great reminder of what you're doing and why you're there.
5. Seeing how much the kids have grown over a break is like watching the ultimate episode of VH1's "Where Are They Now?"
Especially after the winter break. Half of your reading group will look completely different.
6. Watching kids learn how to mix primary colors to make something other than brown is a truly rewarding experience.
Though for some reason you do miss hearing them say, "Look, I made brown!"
7. Helping a child accomplish something that they're proud of is possibly the world's greatest feeling.
It also really helps you start to understand the whole "Proud Mom" phenomenon.
8. You don't just get close to your kids, you get close to your teammates.
Nothing helps you bond like singing "I'm a Little Teapot" and reading children's books to each other at team planning.
9. Listening to kids talk about their days during sharing and goodbye will be, without a doubt, the highlight of your day.
"I...I...um...I went to art. And then I painted. And then I mixed the colors. And then I made brown. And then I went to a Dramatic Play."
10. Even though it's semi-heartbreaking to say goodbye to your kids at the end of the year, you can comfort yourself with the fact that all of your 5-year-olds are ready to slay in kindergarten.
You've got this, guys!
