As an early childhood care provider at a daycare and preschool, I have been surrounded by children for 30 hours a week for as long as I can remember. In that time, feedings, diaper changes, art projects, music, outdoor activity and discipline has occurred. Children are really great. They are always happy to see you. They know how to make you smile and they are really good at testing your patience. Working with children has been the most rewarding experience for me because through all the diapers, boogery tissues, time outs, tears and hugs I have learned a very important lesson.
The biggest lesson I have learned from working with children is to never give up on anyone, including myself. The toddlers I have worked with for quite some time never gave up on me, but motivated me to keep going. We all have bad days, and it is especially hard to be so calm when you have eight screaming children in a room with you that all need to be fed and have their diaper changed at the exact same time. You cannot call in extra octopus arms for help or throw yourself on the floor and scream and cry with the children. Believe me, I looked at those two options as my only options for the longest time.
There are days where I just have had enough and all I want to do is throw myself on the floor in a screaming tantrum. In that moment though you realize how much the children need you to just keep going for them. So I get all the diapers done and next thing I know I have to speak to the same child multiple times about climbing up on top of the bookshelf again. The funny thing is, children know exactly how to test your patience and what they are doing wrong. Do not let them fool you, they do know better. After the fifth time of climbing up on top of the bookshelf, I pull the child aside and of course, he will give me that look in his eyes that says it all: “I know I am difficult and do everything to lose your patience, but please do not give up on me, I will not do it again.”
You may not know what exactly this look I am talking about is but all children have it. It comes in variations of a smirk, puppy dog eyes and fluttering of the eyelashes. You will know when you see it, but it is the look of, "I know I did something wrong, but please have patience with me, I am going to learn my lesson eventually." The way the children expected me to never give up on them especially in those moments where my patience were running thin, they never gave up on me when I was about to lose it. It worked both ways, and with that I have learned to never give up on myself either. Ask anyone that you know who is a teacher at an elementary level or early childcare provided, working with young ones will drain you out quick, but you can not give up ever.
Now that I am about to head back to school, I will take that lesson that I have learned with me. In my hardest moments now I know not to give up on myself and just have patience that things will work out. The children I work with always believed and trusted me as their teacher and I believe and trust in myself now. I have learned to trust others more and not give up on anyone. People will surprise you when you least expect it and that's why I feel it is so important to never give up on anyone. Believe in everyone, including yourself, and never give up on anyone or anything.
