Over the past four summers I’ve had the opportunity to work at a local summer camp in my hometown. It was my ideal first job. I got to play, go on trips and sometimes eat, for free. However, I’ve noticed that when looking for other jobs, potential employers don’t really count childcare as important experience. So, for those who doubt that working with children isn’t actually work at all, here’s a list of things I’ve learned while working with kids:

1. Responsibility – Of course we all know that we are responsible for our own actions. But it’s completely different when you are responsible for the actions of others, no matter what. Often during emergency situations I catch myself looking for the responsible adult and realize it’s me. I’m also responsible for their behavior both inside and outside of the classroom. If my fully functioning 10-year-old decides to jump off the slide and breaks his foot, my supervisor is simply going to look at me and ask why I “let” him do it.
   
2. Leadership – Nothing shows leadership ability more than guiding children through field trips. My children have taught me that in order to be a leader you must lead by example. There might be a project or an activity that most kids in my class might not want to participate in. Sometimes a child will only stay engaged if he sees that his counselor is participating too. I’ve also learned that it is important to let them know that we’re all on the same team trying to accomplish one goal. Sometimes kids think that any adult is automatically the enemy. You have to show them otherwise.
   
3. Communication – Effective communication is essential to being a good counselor. You must be able to get your point across successfully in order for anyone to listen to you. I’ve learned that my children take things VERY literal -- you cannot leave things up to interpretation. I’ve actually had a child use the bathroom on themselves because I said “Go ahead,” instead of “Go use the bathroom,” when they told me they had to pee. I now understand why he looked so surprised when I gave him my answer. Talking to parents is also something I had to learn how to do. As a 22-year-old young adult, imagine how difficult it can be to explain to a parent that his child had a bad day at camp. Sometimes, parents don’t even believe that their child misbehaved and might make excuses for them. Other times… Well, let’s just say I’ve witnessed some very awkward exchanges.
   
   
4. Discipline – Not only do kids need (reasonable) discipline but you have to be disciplined as well. Sometimes in school or at work we can get away with taking short cuts. With kids, one short cut could affect everyone’s safety. In order to teach them about discipline and structure you have to be consistent. Unfortunately, if you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile so you can’t change up.
   
5. Problem Solving – (Confession: My 5-year-old god-brother actually taught me this one). There really isn’t a right and wrong to every situation. It’s the grey area that makes things so difficult. Not only have I taught children how to solve their own problems but I’ve also learned the importance of compromise. In my god-brother’s case, I can get him to take his bath early if I let him watch a movie before bed.

These are just a few skills I’ve learned while working with children over the past few years and I will most definitely take them with me throughout my endeavors. However, one of the most important things is not really a skill at all. I’ve learned that kids are always watching even when we don’t realize it. They look to us even without their own realization. The impact that you leave on a child is strictly up to you. When my kids go back to school I hope that they would remember something I said or did that would help shape them to be who they are when they become an adult.