Cześć! I work as a volunteer in a kindergarten in Szczecin. In this article I want to share with you my thoughts about work and why you should go through this experience.
The kindergarten building has recently been renovated. Everything is new, modern and beautiful. Spacious, light rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows. A projector in every room and a lot of toys. The playground is pretty big.
My first feeling in kindergarten was perplexity. Children run around and shout something in an unfamiliar language. They run up to you, say something and wait for an answer, and you can only shake your head and repeat Tak or Nie.
In any nationality, children are children. They run, scream and have a lot of fun. They do not always obey teachers and do not expect them to obey you from the first days of your work. Of course, it will take you some time to learn all the names. But over time you will do it and the children will even obey you. Sometimes. You will have your favorite children and children with whom you will not find a common language. It is just the way life works.
You will be very lucky if the teacher in your group knows English. But not everyone is so lucky. And this is not a problem. As my coordinator says: "You can always use a translator or explain with your body language." And it really works.
So what is my job in kindergarten? I have to make three activities per month for kindergarten. We work with the SMART method. At first it will not be very easy. But you will get the hang of it.
Sometimes the teachers give me a paper work: cut or draw something, print something. If you haven’t played enough with LEGO or dolls in childhood - rejoice - you will have so many opportunities to catch up.
In kindergarten you can play with children, organize various activities. For example, you can tell children about your country and culture in a playful way, you can paint flags, dance national dances and sing songs. You can play educational games with children.
Every week, in my kindergarten, children attend English class, dancing and "Rytmika".
Teachers arrange "music sessions" and "disco", play with children in a circle.
Nevertheless, working in kindergarten has at least one huge plus: Free food. For me it is always soup and sometimes fruits and sweets. Undoubtedly, it is the best part of my work day.
Of course you will be tired at work. Children scream, do not obey. But I can confidently say that this is the best experience in my life. Children will teach you to react calmly in different situations, teach you to think creatively. You will meet many new people from different countries and cultures. This is invaluable knowledge! I am very glad that I have the opportunity to experience all this!