Matthew Ash - Network Child Care Services

What was your initial reaction to working with children with complex developmental challenges?

My role at this placement was to watch over the children and try to observe and learn different strategies so I can start to develop a tool kit. In my placement, I had two major concerns: First, in the first weeks of placement I felt a great deal of self doubt about what I was doing and worried I was going to mess up. Also, I found it very challenging to work with one of the children who was non-verbal since I had not had that experience before and my usual strategies were not working. 

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

I learned how to work with children whose verbal skills vary. Instead of just focusing on language, I now understand children express themselves through actions and facial expressions. And now that the placement is almost over, I see how much I have learned and appreciate how open the children and educators were to allow me to join their environment.

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

I realize that I do not need to be perfect and remind myself that I am still learning and mistakes will be made but that’s the only way to move forward and learn to be a teacher.