It is a rather lengthy post to address myths and scare potential preschool teachers, yet it resonates with teachers.
1. Yes, you completed a diploma in teaching for
early childhood. Congratulations. However, in reality, you actually only teach
10% of your time with children, 50% of care giving curriculum, 40% of mediation
and conversations. I would suggest you spend more effort to plan child-centric,
experiential learning and evaluate on your teaching consistently. If you feel
too comfortable with the children you work with, you tend to be complacent and slack
off in your teachings. When you do not
pursue improvement, you do no justice for the children. Reflect and document your own professional
development and build an impressive resume bank for your next job.
2. You learn how to tie a basic ponytail in under
two seconds. You want a ballerina bun?
Five seconds. You work with young girls who are beginning to associate their self-worth
with their appearance, they want to look pretty (despite countless attempt of
telling them that they are beautiful and kind). Most of them want to look like Elsa, but Mulan is the best they get
from me. Not sure if Disney or the mass media to be blamed, but you know, I
do tell them they are important and beautiful.
3. Your classroom is a melting pot of cultures. Not
just the four major cultures in Singapore, I am referring to cultures around
the globe. While German parents do not intervene in their children's
fight/arguments/negotiations (no matter how the children are physically
involved), Singaporeans would '(threaten to) cane' if their little ones are
engaged in any misdemeanours. Furthermore, different families has different
cultures. The challenge for any
culturally responsive pedagogy is to embed all the different families' cultures
and recreate a class culture. Easier said than done though.
4. You never get used to the smell of poop. NEVER.
Well, you get used to seeing poop in diapers all the time, approximately a dump
every two hours, means you might encounter four to six a day. The stench is
horrible and nothing can make you feel better. I could wear two disposable face
masks and some really nasty stench could still burn your eyeballs! Yes, degree
holders/L2/Singaporeans/English/young teachers do change poop diaper. Changing diaper full of poop is your job so
don't complain. Think if you don't change for them, no one else would. So,
do some good in this world by washing their buttocks, it feels good to be
clean.
5. Some of these young children who you work for with,
are literally richer than you. Yes, some children are born with two domestic
helpers, guaranteed termly Europe holidays, almost weekly weekend staycation at
posh hotels, dressed in branded clothes and shoes, whose birthday cakes are
bigger than yours. You will never be
richer than them but no point being envious though. Just continuing washing
their buttocks for them.
6. Teacher-child ratios matters. Please know ECDA
and your company's teacher-child ratio for each age group. A proper
teacher-child ratio prevents misbehaviours, accidents and well-supervision for
all children. Ever heard of nasty story of how one teacher has 30 toddlers due
to the lack of manpower? Think from the poor teacher's perspective, her work is
really difficult and it is emotionally unhealthy for both the adult and
children. All teachers deserve to live
and work in a safe, stress-free environment.
7. How do you cope with children who can't sleep? If
you realised five years of diploma and degree in early childhood has never
taught you how to pacify a child who CAN'T sleep. I am referring to children
whose body need no afternoon nap. It is tortuous (for both the child and
teacher) to forcefully induce a child to sleep. Well, you can work with
families so that the child sleep less at home or exhaust the child in the
morning through outdoor play. I would recommend placing an eye mask over his
eyes to stimulate darkness and to make his mattress as comfy as you can. E.g.
high head elevation, bolster to hug. Even
if he can't sleep, he needs to know that he needs to rest.
8. Lastly, regardless if you work with children or adults or
robots or astronauts, life don't sucks, you do. If your life sucks, do
something about it. Get a new boss. Change your job. Travel for a while and
rethink about what you like to do in your life. I have met many young fresh
graduate who got a degree and bounce from job to job, simply because they can't
find the one. Dude, do a gut check. I
would suggest you reflect and prioritize what you look for in a job. Do you
need a positive work culture, good pay, good job prospects or to work with
good-looking people? There will NOT be a
perfect job ever, so quit sulking or whining.
Please don't think that 'hey i am young, i can offer to explore my options than to settle down'. Word of advice: Find a stable job fast and be someone your parents will be proud of. Treat them something nice. Your parents deserve it.
For me, I enjoy working with children hence I chose
a job in the childcare sector. I won't be stopping here though. I am still so fascinated
with the world of children. Thus, I am dappling my feet into writing
manuscript for children's books, producing creative play ideas, designing play
materials and whatsoever. Trying to find my niche.
I found my passion, have you found yours?