The last few months were busy, tired but definitely enjoyable. Having to juggle my full time job, degree classes and field placement was indeed tough but I am glad that I am able to go through everything. Always helping out on various programs at different centre, dealing with different group of people and given a chance to learn, observe and experience the joy of lending a helping hand and making differences in someone’s live.
In one of the agenda, I was assigned to Feiyue Family Service Centre at Bukit Batok helping out in this program call STARkid at Hong Kah Primary School. It was my first time dealing with primary school kids, thus I do not really know how to handle them at first. I started doing lots of observation and rely on feedbacks given by the social worker on ways that need improvement on.
They are a bunch of very energetic and lively children always running around hoping to have some fun. I need to have a very good stamina to keep up with them as they are always full of zest up to some mischief, also trying my very best to get everyone attention and their full participation in the activities.
When I first joined the session, I made it a point to remember each of their names and address them by their name, to show them that I respect them as each individual with proper name and not calling them ‘boy’ ‘girl’. Being kids, and some of them do not have good command of English, I need to be very patient with them, explaining each instructions to them clearly. While doing this, I need to make sure that I gave equal attention to each of my students so that I will not miss anyone out. The next session, i decided to get them stickers to reward them if they behave and also act as a form of encouragement for them, hoping to give them support and let them know that they can do it. I love the smiles on their faces when they saw my stickers and eagerly choosing which design to take.
There is one incident that happened during the first few lessons. A new boy started joining us on the fourth session, was told by the school counselor that he got suspended from school. I paid more attention to him, constantly giving him positive remarks and encouraging him, hoping to let him enjoy coming to school more often and continue to participate in this program. At the end of the session, I wrote him a note saying that I am very glad to see him here today and thank him for everything and would definitely love to see you again during every session. After reading the note, his face broke into a shy smile and he came to me and told me that he will definitely come next week. It really warms my heart. And true enough, he was there early during the next session and even greets me warmly. All it takes is a little encouragement and support to make someone feels better and secure, letting them know that they are capable of doing it, believing in them.
and yes he is the one.. i'm glad that eventually he managed to complete the whole program (: well done zul. you are indeed a starkid!
When the whole program came to an end, I was quite sad to leave as I didn’t get a chance to interact with every single child and to get to know them better, the bond that I manage to build up with them over the whole program. When the children knew that it is the last time I am seeing them, they lost their smile and kept asking why it ended so fast.
some of their "art work"
All good things come to an end. I learnt and grow with them after spending the past few months with them. It was indeed an enriching lesson for me as well. From being totally clueless on handling children to now being able to mingle and mix around with them. The children can differentiate when time to get serious is and when is the time to play, showing a firm image at times and not spoiling my relationships with them. Hopefully I can make a difference in part of their life because I am sure they manage to make a difference in mine after all this is the first time I am dealing with primary school programs, there is a lot more for me to learn. It is indeed an eye opener for me. I would definitely love to have a chance to work with every single of them again.
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