"Oh, I could never work with children."
Many times, I get this response when I talk about my work in my church's nursery back in high school, or when I explain my service with Jumpstart. Sometimes, though, I meet another person who works with preschoolers, and there's an instant connection. There are certain things that only people who work with young children understand--habits, behaviors and ways of thinking that most people don't really get.
1. You keep your nails short and (usually) minimally polished.
It's not worth a ton of effort if you're going to chip it anyways doing projects with a bunch of toddlers, even if they do point out your nail color and fawn over it.
2. You tend to sit on the floor when there aren't enough chairs in a room.
Hey, it's more comfortable, anyways.
3. You have a separate voice for interacting with preschoolers.
It's a delicate balance somewhere between that of a customer service voice and a drill sergeant--you're kind, sweet and affirming while still being imperative and letting the kids know that they need to listen. Now.
4. Sometimes you forget how to interact with people your own age.
A conversation that doesn't involve Paw Patrol or TMNT? Do those even exist?
5. You generally have at least one nursery rhyme or children's song stuck in your head.
And you can bet you'll do every dance and hand motion that goes along with it if nobody's watching.
6. You don't really care anymore about getting your clothes (or yourself) dirty.
Just add that shirt to the collection of stuff you can never wear in any other setting again.
7. You LOVE going on Pinterest to see what others are doing in their classrooms.
"Ooh, I can make this, and this, and... OH MY GOSH, THEY'LL LOVE THIS!"
8. You talk about the kids in your classroom as if they're your own.
You brag about their accomplishments and vent when you have challenges with them, and all your friends know not to question your borderline obsession with the kids you work with.
9. You've made some weird requests of your friends/roommates/family for the classroom.
"Yeah, I need empty cardboard boxes, some marbles, a glue stick, a harmonica and a stethoscope."
"...It's for the preschool, isn't it?"
"Yup."
10. You know the latest TV shows and movies made for young children.
While Dora's still around, the real favorites now are shows like Paw Patrol and Doc McStuffins. Oh, and the most current Disney movies, too.
11. Sometimes, it can be hard to handle all the stress of the classroom.
On top of all your stress from life, sometimes it can get to be too much when a student isn't listening or is being downright mean to another student or to you, and you feel like Tyler the Creator here--you hate everyone.
12. But your love for those little minds outweighs any stressors or inconveniences.
You wouldn't trade your work for anything. Getting to remember what childlike fun is while enriching the lives and futures of young ones?
Always worth it.
