A Child's Perspective

Working in a preschool classroom has proven to throw more challenges my way than I ever thought possible. When I first got the job, I half took it as an excuse to leave my other job (restaurant hostess) & half because I had babysat before & thought kids were cute.

Little did I know that taking this job was going to open my eyes to my passion & future career path.

I went through a lot of phases growing up of what I wanted to be when I grew up: an Olympic gymnast, a professional chef with her own cooking show on the Food Network, a wedding cake designer/wedding planner, a children's pastor...

But after working in this preschool classroom, I knew that was what I wanted to do. So I shifted my schooling track just slightly, from getting my BA in elementary education to my AA in early childhood education. Man oh man it has been a long & hectic couple years.

Anyway, back on track. Working with young children has really opened up my eyes to this world. If I have learned anything from my schooling & working in my field with an amazing mentor teacher, it is that kids are not as worthless as we believe them to be. That sounds harsh, but its reality. So many people out there treat kids as if they are just an inconvenience, like they're in the way.

Those people could not be more wrong & more off base. Yes, kids throw tantrums. Yes, they command all of your attention. Yes, they make messes & scream. Yes, they throw things & hit & kick. But think about it this way: if you had only been on this world for 2 years, 3 years, 4 or 5 years...how would you react to some of the things they experience?

They have a reason for the things they say & do - they are scared, nervous, excited, confused. Nobody has taught them any better yet. That's where we (as adults) come in.

It is our job to guide them, teach them, help them explore & discover & learn all about this beautiful world that we live in. And that is not a job to be taken lightly.

Working with 2-5 year olds for 6 hours a day has brought such a beautiful, fresh, child-like perspective to my life that wasn't there before. They are so naive & so innocent - in the most amazing way. They aren't cynical, they don't know what hatred looks like (not "you're not invited to my birthday party cause you're mean!" kind of hate, but real hate). Even doing something as simple as getting down on your knees & taking a look around can change how you see things - literally.

God definitely threw me for a loop when He brought this job opportunity, & now career path, into my life. I have been so blessed by those beautiful, charming little souls I get to work with every day. They challenge me, stretch me, push me, make me laugh & smile & & grow every. single. day.

So thank you little ones, for all you do. Your hugs, "I love you Miss Dani's", & cute drawings make all your kicking & screaming tantrums, smearing soap on the bathroom walls, & hitting worth the headaches & bruises. Miss Dani loves you!