I am fairly new to working in childcare. I started working at a summer camp in summer of 2017. On my breaks from school, I work at the local YWCA and help with the before and after school care. It is quite an interesting job choice, but I love working with kids. I learn a lot from them and the experience, which will help me later in life during my teaching career.

1. Every kid is different.

Kids are like snowflakes. There is an insane amount of them and they are all completely unique. There is, by no means, a blueprint for kids. You will meet so many different kinds of kids and be able to learn what makes them each their own special little human.

2. There is no universal way to deal with kids.

This kind of goes with the first one. Each kid is different so there will be different ways to approach each kid for a different reason. You can not handle each child like the last. It won't work. The calm conversation may work with one kid, while a firm order and direction works with another.

3. They will test your boundaries.

Kids are sneaky. They will see how much they can get away with little by little. You won't even notice that they are doing it at first. Setting boundaries early on and not budging has had the most success for me.

4. Kids are smarter than you assume.

Kids retain a lot of information and know way more than anyone assumes. Treat them like they're intelligent humans. Not just kids. The more you understand that the better the reactions you will get from the kids.

5. Put a password on EVERYTHING.

They will find your phone, they will get into it, and they will embarrass you using it. Put a password on it and do not tell them the password under any circumstances. You've been warned.

6. Kids like choices.

This is important. Kids are least likely to respond when they don't feel like they have choices. Give them options, or at least make it appear that they have options and they're more likely to do as you ask.

7. You will be asked the same question a million times.

"Why?" "When is snack time?" "Can I go pee?" "How old are you?" You will become bored of answering the same questions over and over again, and if you're like me start giving wild, outlandish answers so they stop asking. Just answer them and pretend like your eye isn't twitching by the end of the day.

8. You can not make everyone happy.

There will always be a few kids that hate everything. You can not please them. Don't try.

9. Kids are basically mini attorneys arguing their cases for EVERYTHING.

They will fight you on every single thing you say. Without fail and they are much better at it than you might think. You must remain in control and not let their argumentative skills distract you.

10. Learn new slang or you will be lost.

It's so CONFUSING! But you need to keep up in order to understand them. If you don't they will make sure to tell you how lame and old you are and you'll be offended.