I have learned so much in these past few months at the Westerly Community Center it is almost unbelievable to me. I thought I had a good experience from all my years of working as a certified nursing assistant which I did and some of those skills definitely paid off. But I had never really known what it was like to work with a large group of young children like I have been doing. Starting out with the after school program was I think a really good idea because I got to know some of the kids and they were a little bit more difficult then the kids we have for the summer program. I think it was good though to start with that challenge and to know right away what could and what can happen when working with children.
In the after school program which was from 3pm-6pm they had all the kids dropped off by bus from their schools and they were in out care until their parents came and picked them up. When they got off the bus they had to do ten jumping jacks and then make a decision of whether they wanted to play or eat a healthy snack. Then after that they went outside to the playground for about an hour sometimes less and then finally they had homework time. This program was perfect for parents because they knew their kids were safe until they could get out of work. Also it was incredibly educational for them and the kids loved coming and spending time with their friends. We had a lot more kids with exceptionalities in this group and they didn't really have the structure they needed for them so it became frustrating sometimes. But overall I thought it was a great program.
Now they have reached the half way point with their summer enrichment program and it has been going great so far! There is a lot of diversity in this group of children because some come from the ELS program. Some of them have just moved to this country and do not know English at all. It has been a struggle for these few kids but it has been interesting to watch their progress. On top of that they have learned all about healthy living by going to the farm twice a week and every Friday they go on another field trip that teaches them something but it a little more fun for them like going to the Johnston Landfill.
Overall I have really enjoyed my time here and I am really going to miss the kids and my co-workers. I have made some new friends and I will never forget my time at the Westerly Community Center!
In the after school program which was from 3pm-6pm they had all the kids dropped off by bus from their schools and they were in out care until their parents came and picked them up. When they got off the bus they had to do ten jumping jacks and then make a decision of whether they wanted to play or eat a healthy snack. Then after that they went outside to the playground for about an hour sometimes less and then finally they had homework time. This program was perfect for parents because they knew their kids were safe until they could get out of work. Also it was incredibly educational for them and the kids loved coming and spending time with their friends. We had a lot more kids with exceptionalities in this group and they didn't really have the structure they needed for them so it became frustrating sometimes. But overall I thought it was a great program.
Now they have reached the half way point with their summer enrichment program and it has been going great so far! There is a lot of diversity in this group of children because some come from the ELS program. Some of them have just moved to this country and do not know English at all. It has been a struggle for these few kids but it has been interesting to watch their progress. On top of that they have learned all about healthy living by going to the farm twice a week and every Friday they go on another field trip that teaches them something but it a little more fun for them like going to the Johnston Landfill.
Overall I have really enjoyed my time here and I am really going to miss the kids and my co-workers. I have made some new friends and I will never forget my time at the Westerly Community Center!
