I've worked with kids for almost four years and have worked with hundreds of different kids, all with very different personalities and communication styles. Although the schedule may be the same most days, no two days are the same with those bundles of energy running around like they've had five cups of coffee at seven in the morning. No matter how different kids are, they all (OK, most) have some things in common. Throughout the years, I've learned more from them than I'm sure they've learned from me.
1. Everything has to be fair...
If you give one kid something, there needs to be enough for every other kid. If everyone is sitting at a table eating their snack, one child cannot come and sit with the adults at the front. There needs to be order and the kids need to feel just as important as every other kid. If not, you'll be surrounded by little people with red faces yelling, "That's not fair!"
2. But, special treatment is totally okay.
Kids are totally okay with special treatment if it's directed toward them; they feel on top of the world. But, as soon as another child gets something they don't, that's when all hell breaks loose.
3. They remember everything...
They'll remember the most random things like your dog's name or what you said yesterday that you don't even recall saying. They'll talk your ear off about things they've heard throughout the day or what people have told them.
4. But, they don't remember the rules.
When it comes to the basics, their minds can be a bit forgetful. They didn't know they couldn't push someone to become first in line or that you can't call someone a name just because you're mad at them.
5. Repetition is key.
"Keep your hands to yourself" and "Walk!" are common phrases at my work. Kids don't think that the rules five minutes ago are the exact same as the rules right now, and they will continue being the same rules five minutes from now.
6. Everything they do is amazing.
I don't care if it's a picture they colored, a book they read, a ball they kicked--everything they do needs to be acknowledged as amazing, great, cool, awesome. Because they are.
7. Field trips are like mini vacations.
Days when the kids are going to the zoo or gear school are always filled with extra energy. They're so pumped for their field trip, they can't stop talking about it. This applies to assemblies, too. I had one girl who was so excited because her class was having someone come in and let them eat Chinese food (Honestly, I'd be over the moon about that, too).
8. A game of kickball is just as serious as the world series.
Any gym game, really, is life or death. There are winners and there are losers--and they refuse to be the losers. The competition is fierce.
9. Staying home alone for an hour is a big deal.
"My brother is going to babysit me for an hour while my mom goes to the store."
"I was home for almost an hour by myself once when my dad was walking our dog!"
It's a big deal roaming the house on your own at that age.
10. Money plays a nonexistent role in life.
Money? Isn't everything free? Or cheap? Some kids have $80 saved up from their birthday and they are ready to conquer the world.
11. A timeout is the equivalent to a lifetime behind bars.
Sitting out for five minutes is hell. The clock stops moving, their friends look like they're having even more fun, the tears start falling, their arms start crossing. It's a very traumatic five minutes.
12. Every little thing in life is worth getting excited about.
They're going to McDonald's for dinner, yay! They have a soccer game tonight, yay! They got to be captain in gym, yay! Their mom packed them Goldfish for snack, yay!
13. Every little thing in life is worth getting upset over.
Another child is trying to play with them... or is getting too close to them... or two other kids are fighting and they have to get involved.
14. Dancing anywhere at any time is totally normal.
With or without music, there is no doubt kids love to dance.
15. Life in elementary school is so hard.
They have two sheets of homework and gymnastics tonight, there's no way they will survive. They have a spelling test Friday and there's no way they will learn all their words by then. They had to wake up at 7:30 in the morning to get ready for school.
16. They'll say whatever is on their mind.
"Why do you look so tired? You look weird without makeup. Why is that man so tall? I have to poop."
Kids are never boring. They amuse me every day and will continue to surprise me with the things they say and do. They live in their own world, but I'd love to be a part of it. It's free from the struggles of adulthood and the harshness of the world. My job reminds me every day not to lose the kid within myself.
