March 5th: Casi

My work as a part of the Project DIRECT team has given me new insights into the field of psychology as well as new knowledge to apply to every day life. Much of what I learn comes from the hours I spend at my preschool interacting with the children and adults who are there. In a classroom of nearly twenty preschool age children, it can be a bit hectic, meaning that I must learn to go with the flow and be ready for whatever may come. This can seem like a daunting task, but when I arrive and the children become excited to see me, I know that I am able to make the best out of my time with them. Most of my hours are spent in what is called ‘center time,’ meaning that the children are playing and learning at various centers in the classroom. Lately, I have spent the majority of the time at the reading center where children will pick books and I will read to them. Since I began my time at the preschool, I can tell that the children have learned more about letters and words, and this is evident when I read to them. Some are able to sound out the words themselves, while others need clues to assist them. The progress I see in them makes me happy, as I know that the time I spend with them is constructive and able to help them learn, even if my role is not directly as a teacher.

Being around such young children is not an atmosphere that I am used to, but the lessons I have learned thus far have shown me that I am passionate about the well-being of children as well as their school environments. Children all learn and grow in different ways, and being part of this process is incredibly rewarding. I hope to gain more comfort in being in a teaching position for the children, and hopefully this will expand my knowledge even further!