I never knew they could bring me such joy.
They are back in the centre after a month long holiday break. Almost all of them settled back into routine rather well. It is so good having them around again. I found out that if it wasn't for them, i wouldn't have travel such a distance, not even for any money paying job.
Having been with them about a year and half now, i've grown accustom to their behaviours and known them for who they are. They are a funny bunch of kids, and i love them for that! At the end of each day, i'll have a smile of contentment that they made my day. Reflecting on the funny moments at the centre, of how the child reacted or behaved, their antics and 'silliness', their cuteness and funniness, hehehe... their “it is so them” moments.
I especially love the schooling kids. They are the older group ranging from 7 to 11 years. Each of the children have their own unique personality. Remember how i was almost traumatised my the two 'screamin-at-the-top-of-their-lungs' tantrum throwing kids at my first week of work? They have the most powerful high pitched scream which could raise any dead person.... Lazarus.....or at least my bulu roma.
Anyway, those two are just funny once you know why they behave such a way. You could almost predict and see certain things coming from them, given a set of conditions. Not that i'm already expert of them, but i've come to know their personalities. Just last tues i had to put up with a boy whining pitch high at my ears. He just refused to get his work done and kept trying to get off task. Would you believe in the 45 minutes of study time, i've only managed to get him write his name. And that's all?!! He's quite smart in a sense trying to manipulate the adults with his threats of deafening cries thinking we would give in to his whimps and fancies. Even got into self injuring behaviour, of which i had two stinging tight slaps from, on my hand. Ouch! Tough battle, but lets see who will win. We've got our ear plugs ready~! Hehehe.....
And today, i was trying not to laugh as a girl unwillingly does her couting activities. I dunno why, but she suddenly burst out crying when she saw the counting worksheet. Prolly she 'misses' them, coz she hasn't been doing the worksheet in a long time or she was just complaining while crying 'why in the world am i doing this again?' It was a funny sight looking at her, coz she doesn't know how to verbally complain that she don't wanna do it, but she had to cry it out with tears and all. A friend of hers was so cute, he got a tissue box to her table and tell her 'no crying'. I never knew he could be so sensitive and so aware of his social cues.
I love the fact that i now know the children better and that i'm more confident in handling them. I remember how i used to be scared and not knowing what to do. But yea, they turn out to be children after all. They could be cheeky, naughty, rebellious, loving, innocent, blur, fun and all.
I like to see how the children progress on their academic development, from not knowing how to write their name to writing new words now. From not knowing how to handle scissors to doing cutting and paste activities. From counting to doing addition. It gives me a sense of satisfaction. =)
I also like the behaviour management. From making whinny irritating sound to knowing how to say “i want rest”. From being a whirlwind of tornado as soon as he steps into the centre to a boy who could sit down and read and greets you “hi” as soon as he steps into the centre. From a shy 'hide-my-face-in-the-pillow' to telling me about her Sabah holiday. It is a joy of knowing you are at the right place. =)
I would love to be a friend to these children. Playing and join in their little games. But i also have to remember that i am a teacher, to be the role model, to teach the right stuffs and to be of sound mind!
Many people, when i tell them what i do, they think i must have lots of patience and love. Well, i guess having those help, and i think i do have what it takes. But what i always tell them is, “Having a good sense of humour helps a lot. You must know how to laugh”.
Learning how to laugh has help me cope with my work. Many times i tell people if i don't laugh, i would have quit long time ago! (Joking! That's not the deciding factor, God leads me.) Anyway, it's good to laugh things off, even when the kids drives you up the wall or when you just feel like flushing him down the toilet, or mince him into the blender and make 'char-siew pau' or tie him to the ceiling fan and sping him round and round. Sadistic? Yea, very!
See, why i say you have to have a good sense of humour? If you don't you might just really wanna commit those acts that i mentioned. Last year i had such horrid thoughts in my head, that i couldn't believe i could have thought those thoughts. It was then i realised how real child abuse could happen to these children. They really do test your patience, some purposefully, some just being who they are.
Patience, love and all are my part to work on. What these children are rubbing into me, hopefully make me better person. I think they rub on more to me than i on them. I realized after a while of working with them my communications skills had gone down the drain. Sentence structure and intelligent talk are out of the window. For a moment i just talking in two or three words sentence. Anyways, people who do come and talk to me, please have something intelligent to talk about. Current affairs, general knowledge, bible......
Many of times i use to wonder and still wonder why such children exist. I ask God “So which part of You are in them Lord?” for He made all of us in His own image. I wonder..... i dunno which part of Him are in them. Humour maybe? 'coz i find them funny. =) i don't have the answer, but i have the faith that i'll see them in heaven. I guess these are God's special children. He knew them before they were even form in their mother's womb, He knows each one by name and the number of hairs on their head. God made them, he made them special just like you and me.
