Justyce Thomas - Network Child Care Services, Metamorphosis Child Care Centre

What was your initial reaction to working with children in this placement?

My first placement experience was a rollercoaster of emotions. My initial reaction was that I had never worked with a large number of children so I found it challenging to get out of my comfort zone. It became overwhelming for me since there were so many different events happening at once and it took me a while to get used to. I enjoyed getting to know the children but it took me a little longer than I expected to learn all their names. In the beginning, I lacked confidence and was not my full authentic self. Because of this, I was not showcasing my strengths such as how well I work with children. 

I went into this experience not knowing what to expect. I did not know what questions to ask, how to take initiative, or where I belonged. These feelings led to self-doubt and I questioned whether this kind of field is for me. It became overwhelming for me since I did start to feel as though I was losing myself and did not fully grasp the opportunity I had hoped for.

How did you overcome these hurdles — and what did you learn about yourself and your practice?

Looking back at the overall experience, a number of people came forth to help me I need to improve and get on the path of becoming a better future educator.  From my academic professors and my TMU Field Advisor, I learned the importance of observation and getting to know and understand the children’s interests and needs.  

I also found it helpful to share my challenges with student peers.  Knowing that other people were also going through similar issues made me realize the importance of communicating with others about how you are feeling. I also spoke to professors who gave me the best advice during this time in order to make it through the duration of my placement. It was refreshing to hear that the way I was feeling is a common experience and it really helped me to see that my feelings were valid.

How did this field experience influence your plans for working in the early childhood sector?

This field experience made me realize that this kind of field of work is not easy. It does take time to learn and understand how to be a good educator. Getting to experience working in a childcare centre firsthand, it has shaped me in the best way possible and I will take the things I learned from my first placement into future endeavours.