What do you want to be when you grow up? That’s a question everyone has likely been asked at least once in their lifetime. For the lucky few they know from the beginning, but for most of us, it takes quite awhile to figure that out. Some of us still don’t know. Fortunately for me, I believe I’ve finally figured it out. I’ve come to realize my passion for working with children. I figured this out within the past couple of years, but this summer was where that realization was completely reaffirmed in my mind.

I was lucky enough to get hired as a camp music teacher and sports program director for my once high school, Landon. My job was to work specifically with the preschool part of the camp, designing both a music and sports program, neither of which existed before I came to the preschool. I had worked with children in the past, but never solely with groups of 3-5-year-olds. To anyone that’s ever taken care of a child this age you know how difficult it can be at times, but those moments are precisely when I realized how important it is to be patient and be able adapt to any situation when you are dealing with children.

No two kids are the same; some might be extremely similar, but every kid has a specific personality and thing that makes them tick. One kid may think he’s a tough guy and act all macho in front of the other students, but when confronted because he did something wrong he may turn into the most emotionally frail person you’ve ever seen. Another kid may seem sensitive and be a very aggressive tattle tale, but that could just be to distract you from her true colors of manipulation. That’s what makes this job so tough and important. Things are normally never as they seem, but this especially rings true when you are dealing with young children.

Kids of that age are sponges. They soak up everything they see and hear. Even if you think a kid may have no idea what you’re doing or talking about, chances are he or she has caught on enough to be able to replicate whatever you’ve said or done. Obviously, your next thought should be just how important it is to watch what you say and do when in the presence of a child. It’s crazy to me to think this, but after observing and interacting with over 65 different preschoolers this summer it’s evident to me that there are still parents out there who haven’t the vaguest idea of how to turn their child into a respectful individual. That’s not to say I have parenting all figured out. That would be foolish of anyone to say, let alone 21 year old me. But, there are certain things evident in a child’s behavior that would show to anyone that this child may need more guidance than another child. I’m not trying to say that one child is more important than another, but there will certain children that require more of your attention if you want them to behave, be polite, understand a concept completely, etc. like the rest of the class. Some kids are more inclined to figure things out themselves and other’s may need you to explain something to them five times in five different ways in order to retain half of the information that the other kid did while only paying half-attention. It’s important to get to know each kid on a personal level if you want to know how to deal with them the best way you can while still creating an enjoyable and focused learning environment.

The children I referenced before that come from households who clearly don’t have a firm grasp on respect are the ones I find I need to spend the most attention on in order to have felt like I’ve done my job for that day. Respect is the most important thing in an adult-to-child relationship, both 1 on 1 and in a group. If you don’t respect the children as a group, certain ones will be able to tell and those children will have a high probability of either not listening to you, not liking you or both. If you do respect the children as a group chances are they’ll be more engaged in whatever you’re doing and will also respect you. The same goes for a 1 on 1 relationship. Esch child needs t know that you have a vested interest in their development and well-being. When a child comes to understand that, you get what you’re trying to achieve: a two-way street of respect where you listen to what they have to say but still show them that you’re in charge and what you say goes.

Regardless if a child listens or not that child still looks somewhere for guidance. It’s a natural instinct. The best thing you can do for any child is to be a good role model. Sure you can tell a kid over and over again not to do something or that he or she should act a certain way, but ultimately leading by example is the best thing for a child. The “do as I say not as I do” mentality needs to stop. Children have questions. If you tell them to do something or not to do something, they will ask why that should be the case. All children want to learn, and a big part of their learning is what they absorb with their eyes. If they see you acting in a certain way that you preach not to act like, they’ll not take you as seriously when you’re giving them advice or guidance in the future. Similarly, if what you say and what you do coincide with one another, children will catch on and copy what you do. You want children to listen. Practicing what you preach is the easiest way to get them to do that.

Now, I don’t think I have all the answers. As I stated before anyone of my age would be foolish to think they’ve got parenting all figure out. Until you’re actually living with a child day in and day out, you don’t even know what it’s like to be a parent. That’s clear to me. However, it is also clear to me that some people naturally have a better sense of how to handle a child or see what a child needs better than others. Fortunately, I’ve found myself being quite successful with the kids I’ve come across. I can happily say that I truly believe I made an impact on these kids’ lives. There is no better feeling than having a group of 4-year-olds yell your name and come give you a big group hug. I was lucky enough to experience that every day. It really makes it all worth it. I would like to think that I’ve helped every kid become more respectful, kind, and conscientious because those were my intended goals in doing what I did this past summer. Obviously, I wanted the kids to like me, but the one main goal I set for myself before I started working this summer was to teach every kid to be a little bit more courteous in their day to day lives.

I’ve been blessed with the drive and passion to want to make every kids’ life a little better. I understand just how important it is to shape a child’s life in a positive way. Some kids are fortunate enough to come from a home where life lessons and morals are regularly talked about and taught, but I now know just how many kids in this day and age need that extra bit of guidance from outside of their family. I would be honored to be in a profession that helps children get going in the right direction.

One thing I’m fairly certain of is that you’re supposed to follow your passions and dreams. A life is not successful if you’re not happy with what you’re doing. It doesn’t matter if you have all the money in the world if you aren’t doing something you love you won’t be as happy as someone who loves what they do. If you make your passion your job, you won’t have work a day in your life. I know I’m here to make a difference in the lives of children, and I plan on doing that for as long as I’m capable.

I’ve found my passion. Go find yours!