Learning Activities

It was fun to mingle with the kids when we got a chance. We were mostly observers but we got a few chances to talk with the kids and teach them a few things. Although some of them taught us. Jocelyn taught Jess how to make laminate string key chains and Christopher taught me how to play "Make 7" which I stink at. We helped the younger children with learning activities they were given by Miss Nancy which included counting, vocabulary, puzzles, science, and virtually everything in between. We helped them only when they asked, or when they were making a big mess. A.J., brother to Anthony upstairs, made a mess of the worms which I wasn't really willing to clean up but helped him anyway. Along with helping the babies downstairs Jess and I helped collaborate the Easter project upstairs. We took foam pieces and created shapes on them for the children to cut out to put on their Easter bags for the hunt the YWCA was going to put on for them. We sat at the round table off the kitchen and talked with the staff member we admired so much and made the shapes big enough for the kids to cut out. We helped the littler kids with actual learning activities downstairs and did more conversing with the older children upstairs and helped them put together and play games. I think it was more about learning about the kids upstairs and talking to them than teaching them anything like we had earlier downstairs with the children who were much smaller. It was nice getting to know the children upstairs; how many siblings they had, what their favorite food was, what they like to do in their spare time and the like. I liked that they took time to share things with us and talk to us even though they had no idea who we were. We had to introduce ourselves a couple times but I think they finally caught out "Miss Jess" and "Miss Julie" after about the second or third visit.
We had a blast getting to know the kids and play with them and it was neat how they just jumped right in when we came to visit with them or watch a movie or even eat lunch. Some of them took our hands and we even got a few hugs out of  the whole deal. We helped the smaller children with learning activities and the older children we primarily talked with. It was a great time playing with and helping these children.

The Environment at the YWCA

The environment at the YWCA seemed welcoming when we first walked in...but I knew better. When we first met the director I wasn't fooled that she was fool of goodness and rainbows. She had a sharp, no nonsense attitude about her that was demeaning and I found it disgusting. That is not an environment in which children should grow and thrive. She seemed to gain delight in telling the children that she would keep them in her office for misbehaving. I did not gain a positive impression from her and I was irritated as she talked about what a great facility she ran. I understand that the kind of care her staff provides isn't stuffed animals and sunshine but being a positive, nice role model wouldn't hurt. The floors were mostly concrete and the playroom in the upstairs for the older children was covered by some thin...carpet? But I feel as if it wasn't even that sturdy because when the children walked on it it moved around.I enjoyed that the kids got along with one another. It was as if they knew that they were family once they were there and it was obvious that they leaned on one another for support. The environment that I favored the most was when we were downstairs helping the kids play dress up and do activities and play with nasty worms in nasty dirt that got absolutely everywhere. It's as if they had no inhibitions about who they were and why they were there. But how could they? They are so small...
The kids were a blast to chase and help learn. They listened to Miss Nancy and she was a treat to be in the classroom with. I thought she could be strict but she could also be sweet as candy and I thought she had a great mixture of both. She was sweet to the children but put them in their places if they were misbehaving. I thought the environment overall was harsh and could be improved but there were several staff members who truly cared for the children and seemed as though they genuinely loved them. Which is what these children need.

Children at the YWCA

The kids at the YWCA were...so much fun. It was fun to go see them in their element and it was definitely a special treat when we got to see them eat lunch. They were rowdy and rambunctious but listened when spoken to. Well, most of the time. It was difficult to see how the daycare providers managed them; I would say that was the most difficult part of the hours we had to complete. The way that they were spoken to...almost belittled...it made me sad. There was one nice woman who worked at the facility but I never had the opportunity to catch her name. She always called the children "baby" or "sweetheart" or pet names along those lines. She was always so sweet and so kind and so loving towards these children who probably need love the most. She was the only one who didn't screech and holler at them and make them cry over a spilled salad. It broke my heart that these children may go their entire childhood without feeling the love I felt as a child from my dedicated parents. No matter where that love may come from, every child should experience that. The children tended to be rambunctious but what child isn't? They were great with schedules and always followed the directions given, with the exception of tying a shoe before going to the bathroom. The smaller children (most of them, anyway) listened better but I think that was because that was the most direction they had throughout the day and they knew better than to disobey.
 Jess and I went together every time and worked with the smaller children twice and worked with the big kids for the remainder of our hours. We mostly talked to Israel, Jaslynn, Jocelyn and Christopher. I watched Chris and Israel play "Make 7" and even played a few rounds with them. I was no good. Chris beat me every time. Israel liked to talk a lot and was best friends with Anthony. Anthony runs the fastest in their grade but Israel was a close second. It was interesting listening to them talk, they spoke perfect English to Jess and myself but then they would talk to one another and slip into their colloquial slang. "Psh mayne why you gotta go and lie on me like that" That phrase is something I caught from Israel when he was talking to Anthony. They were great children to work with and unintentionally quite hilarious.
I loved seeing those kids and wished that I could take them under my wing and nurture them myself. I wish that I could get to know them better and spend more time with them. They were so much fun and I wish I had more opportunities to be with them.