Working with very young children can be one of the most rewarding careers an educator can expect. This is the case because one is not merely educating or instructing them, but one has the potential to help shape their attitudes and personalities for the rest of their lives. While this is cleanly gratifying, it can be somewhat intimidating as well. It is possible a mistake, a simple oversight, or an instance of neglect of a budding problem could have greater negative repercussions later on. Unlike adolescents or young adults who have the larger capacity to deal with singular events of their lives and integrate them into their larger experiences, very young children might run the risk of elevating individual experiences into life-changing events.
Educators aim to serve and help the parents raise their children, not to replace them. But parents have the advantage of being able to deal with their own individual child in a closed one-on-one relationship. Early childhood educators cannot give individual children special attention and must be prepared to deal with situations where the possibility of one child in their class does not necessarily get along with the rest. Here are three example of personality types typically seen in children:
The Bully
Typically, bullies are depicted as being big and mean, but size really has nothing to do with it. Regardless of weight class, a bully is someone who picks on another kid with the intent of taunting or hurting the kid’s feelings. One method for dealing with this situation is to discover a subject or skill the bully does not excel in, and to encourage the other children to help the bully.
The Shy One
Sometimes a child has a shyness that far exceeds normal levels and could possibly inhibit the child from talking, participating and interacting with other children. This could possibly be for a lack of confidence, in which case, one could take the opposite approach from that of the bully. Locate a specific strength or special interest of this child and encourage them to demonstrate this for the other children.
The Protester
Similarly to the shy child, this child also does not want to participate, but they are different because they have no problem vocalizing their resistance, or even physically revolting. Where one might be tempted to try reverse psychology, this can only further alienate this child. One method for dealing with this is to encourage this child to lead an activity, or even to choose the activity on their own. This can have the positive effect of instilling leadership skills.
Aspiring child educators can best prepare themselves through community courses for a variety of these special circumstances.
The wonderful thing about working with children is that they are all different. Early childhood education allows one to experience the varieties of personality types at their formative stages. But not only is it about experience, but about influencing the children who will inherit our future.
Visit Mohawk College for information on community programs such as early childhood education or personal support worker programs.
Educators aim to serve and help the parents raise their children, not to replace them. But parents have the advantage of being able to deal with their own individual child in a closed one-on-one relationship. Early childhood educators cannot give individual children special attention and must be prepared to deal with situations where the possibility of one child in their class does not necessarily get along with the rest. Here are three example of personality types typically seen in children:
The Bully
Typically, bullies are depicted as being big and mean, but size really has nothing to do with it. Regardless of weight class, a bully is someone who picks on another kid with the intent of taunting or hurting the kid’s feelings. One method for dealing with this situation is to discover a subject or skill the bully does not excel in, and to encourage the other children to help the bully.
The Shy One
Sometimes a child has a shyness that far exceeds normal levels and could possibly inhibit the child from talking, participating and interacting with other children. This could possibly be for a lack of confidence, in which case, one could take the opposite approach from that of the bully. Locate a specific strength or special interest of this child and encourage them to demonstrate this for the other children.
The Protester
Similarly to the shy child, this child also does not want to participate, but they are different because they have no problem vocalizing their resistance, or even physically revolting. Where one might be tempted to try reverse psychology, this can only further alienate this child. One method for dealing with this is to encourage this child to lead an activity, or even to choose the activity on their own. This can have the positive effect of instilling leadership skills.
Aspiring child educators can best prepare themselves through community courses for a variety of these special circumstances.
The wonderful thing about working with children is that they are all different. Early childhood education allows one to experience the varieties of personality types at their formative stages. But not only is it about experience, but about influencing the children who will inherit our future.
Visit Mohawk College for information on community programs such as early childhood education or personal support worker programs.
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