I couldn’t tell you the exact moment that I first fell in love with my major, but I can say that love continues and reveals itself to me over and over again. I am in my fourth year of college as an Early Childhood Education major, which means harder classes and a greater amount of field work. But I have to say that I wouldn’t change it all for the world.
Sure I get stressed planning lessons for the student that I tutor, sure I am not very fond of paying out of pocket to implement these lessons due to that fact that I’m basically poor right now, and I can honestly say that I’m not really thrilled about having to wake up early to observe classrooms. However, as cliché as it sounds, it is all worth it in the end.
When I hear my tutor student tell me that she wishes that I could come and tutor her every day because she has fun means more to me than she’ll ever know. She inspires me with her knowledge, maturity and excitement. She is years beyond her age and I know she will do amazing things. To be someone in her life to help her grow even more is one of the main reasons I have chosen this major and I can’t help but smile thinking about it. I had fallen in love with my major again in that moment.
When I see a room full of children’s faces light up because I am finally “visiting” (observing) their classroom after a couple weeks of not being there, it shows me that I am appreciated. The students’ teacher told them to write down ten things that they enjoy and that makes them happy in their journals. One of her students’ walked up to me and showed me her journal. My name was listed. Once again, I fell in love with my major.
When I get to help a little girl who felt left out of her group during centers find the confidence to join and enjoy herself, I feel that I am making a difference that goes beyond the classroom. That same girl made a Lego version of herself as I walked back to the table I was observing from and soon after, she handed me another Lego person that she had made. It was of and for me. She was so excited to give it to me and in that small gesture, I could feel the appreciation that she had for me, even if she didn’t know how to say it. I fell in love with my major once more.
There are so many other moments and stories that I can continue on with, but these are the moments that stood out to me the most. These three instances reinstated the fact that I am indeed in the correct major. Children are truly a blessing and I am so glad that I get to help inspire them to become even greater versions of themselves, even if it is just for a moment.
