Learning Curves

As my second year has come to a close I have been transitioning into my new role for the summer months. I have been extremely blessed in getting a job as a preschool teacher at a local Montessori daycare and preschool. Through my first couple weeks in being here I have never felt so sure that working with kids, in this type of setting is exactly where I am gifted and need to be for my future. Going into this job, I expected to be in more of a general teaching role, but have been pleasantly surprised with where I ended up instead. One of my specialities within my degree is special education, therefore I have been placed to work one-on-one with a child who is diagnosed with PTSD and struggles behaviourally. Working with him has been a large learning curve that I have enjoyed taking head on. Working with him includes lots of guidance, discipline, instruction, and support. In the course of one day there are multiple battles that include kicking, biting, screaming, swearing, hitting, head banging, and naturally, lots of crying as we work through our daily routine—but every day these episodes are becoming less and less. Since I started it has become a goal of mine to initially build relationship with him. I feel that if I build relationship, then I build trust and respect which is key if I am to get through to him in any way. Another goal that I have set down is that in everything that I do with him, it is out of love and kindness. Yes, there is quite a bit of disciplining through the course of one day, but doing so in a loving way is the best way to handle this particular case. As an example, when holding him during an outburst, to keep him from harming myself and his friends, we do so in a caring way. He sits on my lap, and I hold his hands down in front of him. When he demonstrates a calm body we will go back to whatever we were doing. Another aspect of showing love and kindness is acknowledging his thoughts and his feelings. He is not an object that is to be talked down to, but a young boy who has emotions that need to be recognized. This boy is such a precious gift, who really just needs someone to show him care and lovingly guide him through the etiquette of the classroom setting. I learn many valuable strategies each day. This role being very trial and error, it has been challenging to see what will be the most effective plan for that moment, and how the plan varies from day to day. Each day looks different, and in the two weeks that I have been with him I am already seeing improvements. This summer is going to be full of learning curves, and experiences that will help me immensely going into the classroom for the future, of which I am so thankful for.