The past year I have been looking into early childhood education. I LOVE KIDS! They're so cute, and I love being able to help them grow and develop. I'm even in all of the pre-requisites for this major. I love the classes. I've learned so much.
(These are from the pre-school class I took in High School. I loved these little kids so much!)
However, as I was sitting in class yesterday it hit me... I really DON'T want to be a teacher. I don't want to teach a classroom full of little kids the same information from year to year. I would get bored. That's when I realized....
I still want to work with kids! Yeah, no idea what I'm going to do. I just would SO much rather work with kids through support/changing their lives/ giving them the things they need to properly develop... rather than just education. Don't get me wrong... that is important. Extremely important. But there is so much more that every child needs to develop and grow. They need love, support, a good home environment. SO MUCH! Stuff that education doesn't even come close to covering. Stuff that I would much rather be involved in.
So what course of action should I take to get where I want to go? Here are my thoughts:
- Recreational Therapy--- I had considered this before, but now more than ever it seems a far better option than education.
- School of Family Living, with an emphasis in Human Development--- I'm in a 210 level of this class right now. It's amazing. So interesting to learn why kids develop the way they do and how you can help them to develop properly.
- Social Work--- This would, by far, get me to where I want to be. Improving children's lives? HELLO! That's exactly what I want to do. However, I don't think BYU offers this major anymore, and I hear it's a completely draining job that burns you out quickly.
I don't know what else I should do. I'm sure there are more options that I don't know about. I don't even know how to get where I want to go. I just want to help kids, on more than an education level. I think it is all part of the orphanage thing... I simply feel horrible when I think about how some kids are being treated. It's not fair. They don't deserve it. I want to help them, SO bad. If you have any suggestions as to what I can be when I grow up, PLEASE let me know. I'm in serious need of some help on the matter :)
9 comments:
Oh! That's my baby! Um.... not sure what to tell you. I think talk to Mom and Bethany.... and then you'll prob. figure it out!
Oh thanks Paige! My cute babies!
I love kids too and I understand how you feel, especially about the orphanage thing. That is the saddest thing I have seen in a long time. I knew it existed but it is different when it is laid out for you to see. I wish we had all the money in the world to teach and to find homes for children in that situation. Maybe social work would be good, or maybe an adoption specialist to help place children in a good home.. What ever you choose, I wish you the best of luck in it.
Well, honestly I think you need to figure out exactly what you'd like to do. Like either find a company that fits what you want to do and find out from them what you need to do (doesn't have to be a Utah company necessarily). Or decide if you'd like to create your own company that fits exactly what you want to do. In which case you'd need to do some business classes as well as the other things (I think one of the recreation majors has an entrepreneurship field).
That stinks about the BSW at BYU. They still have the Masters of Social Work, but that's a whole lot more school to do. I love BYU, but there are a lot of other schools around that do a BSW if you're really interested in that (though I think you can find something at BYU to fit).
Also, the orphanage/adoption thing is more for countries besides ours. Maybe you'll need to look into companies that travel to them or help them somehow. You can learn about how to set up non-profit organizations that travel to orphanages to help them (that would help Kim out too ;) ).
http://www.orphanagesupport.org/index.html That's an organization that helps orphanages in Ecuador. You could contact them and find out what you'd need to do to set something up like that for all of Chile (you and Kim can do it together).
http://www.orphanage.org/
That's a listing of tons of orphanages throughout the world. (Kim, if you read this, maybe you could submit your website.)
Here's something else that looks cool: http://www.achildshopefoundation.org/index.html
http://www.unitedwayucv.org/provo/volunteer/search.tcl
Check out United Way in Utah County for volunteer opportunities too. You can even call them and let them know what you want to do and see if they have any suggestions.
So I might completely take over the comments sections. Sorry. I just love this stuff. Here's what a child life specialist does:
"Child life specialists are experts in child development, who promote effective coping through play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities. They provide emotional support for families, and encourage optimum development of children facing a broad range of challenging experiences, particularly those related to healthcare and hospitalization. Understanding that a child’s wellbeing depends on the support of the family, child life specialists provide information, support and guidance to parents, siblings, and other family members. They also play a vital role in educating caregivers, administrators, and the general public about the needs of children under stress."
They work in hospitals to help kids get through tough times. Some hospitals call them recreation/child life therapists just depending on what they have you do (some plan holiday parties and stuff too- fun!).
Just be a mom! hehe It covers everything except you will be paid in eternal rewards instead!! :) Okay so you'll probably do that too, but actually on a serious note I was going to say what Bethany already said about finding a job that works for you or create your own!It'll come to you I am sure! Especially if you're praying your heart out! I wish you the best on figuring it all out!!It's tough and you really do want to make sure it is something that won't burn you out quick!
CALL ME... (do you have me blocked on your phone or somethin?) I think I have a plan.
OK, so dad is in and I actually had about 1 minute to talk with Dave this morning and he is in as well! Now all you have to do is work your butt of this summer (can I say that? I guess I mean bottom...hehe) and come!
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