05.03.24
There is something so special about working with young children. Seeing such an Innocent side of humanity, a being which has not yet had the time to be corrupted by society.
I'm incredibly grateful to have had the chance to work with the Mums and Chums group at St Mark's Presbyterian Church because it gave me the chance to experience that child-like Innocence once more. It was quite nice to go and allow myself to be a part of those kids' worlds again, travelling back to a time when all I cared about was nursery rhymes and colouring pages.
The program was located in a relatively large room of the church, with high ceilings and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. As we entered, we were greeted by the sight of a small table filled with coffee, tea, and biscuits, a thoughtful gesture for the parents and volunteers who were there to supervise the children. The room was divided into several different stations, each one offering a different activity for the kids to enjoy. There were puzzles, board games, craft tables, and even a small play area with soft mats and toys for the youngest participants.
As we were given a brief tour around the room, I couldn't help but be impressed by the level of organisation and attention to detail that had gone into setting up this program. Everything was clearly labelled and there were plenty of volunteers on hand to answer any questions we might have had. It was obvious that the organisers had put a lot of thought and effort into creating a safe and enjoyable environment for the children.
However, once the children started to arrive, so did the noise. Being mostly around adults and people my own age, I had forgotten just how chaotic children under eight can be. The sound of laughter, shouting, and occasional crying filled the air, and it took a few minutes for my group to adjust to the sudden influx of activity. But as we watched the kids running around, playing games, and making new friends, it was impossible not to be swept up in the energy and excitement of it all.
Our main task throughout the next hour was watching the children as they amused themselves. The room was filled with energy as they played with Play-Doh, coloured, and ran around. Their laughter and chatter filled the air and created a joyful atmosphere.
It was quite lovely to sit and listen to the babbling of children whose only care in the world is what colour pen they want to use on their drawing. As I watched them, I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia for our own childhood days. It was a reminder that in the midst of all the chaos and stress of daily life, sometimes it's the simplest things that can bring us the most happiness.
While watching the children, I ended up having some lovely conversations with the parents and nannies. We touched on the topic of how long they had been attending the program and it was interesting to hear how some of them had been attending since they were children and had now brought their own kids to the program, while others had only recently joined in the last month.
As we were discussing everything with Abbs, I noticed that she had a 16-month-old child in her arms who had fallen completely asleep. It was a commendable feat as the child would cry whenever they were not in direct contact with their nanny. I could relate to that kid as I was the same way when I was young.
Even to this day, I am still not overly happy about leaving my mother for long periods of time, and this trip that I am currently on is the longest we have ever gone apart. It's amazing how the bond between a child and their parents or caregiver can have such a lasting impact on a person's life.
As I watched the program leaders pack up all the toys and activities, I couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for their efficiency. Despite the lack of a signal or warning, they managed to stack the chairs against the walls and stash away the colouring supplies with surprising speed.
What impressed me even more was how seamlessly the parents, guardians, and volunteers all worked together to corral the children into a group on the rug for reading time. It was clear that everyone involved was dedicated to ensuring the success of the program, and I couldn't help but be grateful for their hard work and commitment to the children's entertainment and well-being.
After the story had been read, stuffed animals were brought out and each volunteer had to come up with a nursery rhyme or children’s song relating to the animal they were given. I received a lamb, so mine was a given, but some of the others struggled, and there were a few duplicates where new songs had to be chosen for the same animals.
Overall, though, the children seemed to really enjoy circle–time and that made me happy. Circle-time was always my favourite part of school when I was their age and going through those motions again really brought me back to that simpler time.
All too soon, it was time to go. My group helped clean everything up and then we met for our ride out in front of the church. Overall, it was an amazing experience that I would do again in a heartbeat.
All of the parents and nannies I spoke to were absolutely lovely and the children had such fire. As we left the church, I couldn't help but feel a sense of fulfilment and joy in my heart. It was heartwarming to see the positive impact we had on the children and the community.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this program, even for a day, and I look forward to future opportunities to serve. I will always cherish the memories and the connections I made with the people I met that day. It was truly an unforgettable experience that I will always remember, even once I get back home to America.
Комментарии