When I started working at a preschool this summer, I had no idea what to expect. I barely knew how to change a diaper, let alone get 30 four-year-olds to actually listen to me. Needless to say, I was nervous. As I adjusted to this new environment, I still didn't think I would learn so much by the end of my summer job.
1. Giving a two-year-old a cup of ranch dressing is dangerous
2. You will take things away from children and you might feel bad.
But if a boy hits his friend with a book, he doesn't deserve to hold the book anymore.
3. Whatever is on the floor is free game to eat—wood chips, beads, rocks, etc.
Try and catch it quickly.
4. There is truly no feeling like having a child fall asleep in your arms.
Don't worry, Mom, I still don't want children for a very long time.
5. Corn is hard to sweep off the floor.
6. So many injuries can be healed by a kiss.
7. "Hey, watch this!" is something that you don't want to hear on the playground.
8. Tatle-talers will always exist.
No, I don't need to be told that that girl said the word, "Panties." "Panties" is not a bad word.
9. Sometimes it will take all of your will not to laugh while telling a child that making farting noises at lunch is not appropriate.
10. The questions that kids will ask you are hilarious.
"Is your hair dark because you drink coffee black?"
11. Children will believe what you tell them...
...even if you tell them that they're going to eat anchovies and tomatoes for snack today.
12. React to every piece of artwork like it's a Picasso.
13. Telling a child not to jump in a puddle is like telling a dog not to pee on a fire hydrant.
It's going to happen whether you like it or not.
14. Oreos are egg-free.
15. Monkey bars are for the kids who know how to do the monkey bars.
16. Once one child starts chanting, they all will.
Children: "ME! ME! ME! ME!"
Me: "Listen, if I took the time to swing all of you around by the arms just for funsies, not only would it take forever, but I would probably pass out and/or die."
17. Seeing an airplane in the sky is incredibly thrilling.
18. Crayola markers come out of clothes. Expo markers do not.
19. Pete the Cat is love, Pete the Cat is life.
I have the whole shoe book memorized and I'm not even ashamed.
20. I didn't realize how much of an impact my kids would have on me.
After two months of working at the preschool, I finally had to leave to go back to school. Saying goodbye to the kids was so hard, but now I know that the next generation of students is going to do many great things in the world.
