Hej! As a student in the Child Development program here at DIS, a large part of my experience in Denmark is being around children. I’ve got to say, it’s a lot of fun. One thing that’s a big part of this program is the practicum aspect. All Child Development students are assigned to a practicum site which they go to on Thursdays. I remember not having any idea what to expect before I started. At some point towards the end of the summer, I filled out a short survey and listed preferences on the type of site I’d like to go to (and I honestly don’t remember what I put down), but there’s no guarantee of anything. I mentioned in a post a while back that my site is a private Muslim school, with students from Grade 0 to Grade 9. I move between different classes throughout the day, starting with a second grade class, to fourth grade, to fifth grade, and finally to first grade. There have been both good and bad aspects to being at my specific site, but I’ve got to say that the kids there are some of the sweetest kids. From day one they were super excited to have me there. I felt very welcome. Despite the language barrier, they never shied away from talking to me and asking me for help with their work. Of course, many times I had no clue what to tell them, but I was really proud of the instances where I got the question and was able to help them understand whatever was confusing them. They always loved to show me what they could say in English, and some of them were really surprised and excited when I was able to show off the little Danish I do know. I’ve gotten random gifts from the kids, from a drawing (I’m not sure what it was of) to a chestnut from outside. My favorite thing to receive, however, is the unexpected hug. The first graders in particular always seemed especially happy to see me and loved to hug me when I came and before I left. The kids at my practicum site have really big hearts, and I have to say that it was the best part about going every Thursday. Of course, experiencing Danish children doesn’t begin and end with my practicum site. The Child Development program also has this thing called The Children’s Room, which is something put on during the days that kids do not have school, but the DIS teachers still have to come to work. During those days, Child Development students can volunteer to take a shift and watch the children of DIS staff members. The first Children’s Room of the semester happened during Denmark’s Fall Break. This was also the week before Thanksgiving, so we decided this year to take the Thursday of that week and do a little Halloween party for the kids. I worked with a group of other students to help set up trick or treating in a few of the DIS departments, to bake cookies and set up a Halloween cookie decorating station, to set up a pumpkin painting station, and to set up games like Pin the Wart on the Witch (a variation of Pin the Tail on the Donkey). It was a lot of fun, and the kids were absolutely adorable! Several of them dressed up in costumes and got really into it. I think the event was really successful. The kids seemed to be enjoying themselves, and we DIS students were having fun being creative and playing around as well. It was also cool because I got to see some of my professors’ kids, which is always fun for some reason. Hopefully this event continues for future Children’s Rooms. Even outside of things set up by the Child Development program, I still get to enjoy how amazingly adorable Danish children are. My absolute favorite thing is that now that it’s cold outside, I’m now always seeing Danish children in the most adorable, fluffy snowsuits. Seriously, they look like little colorful marshmallows and it makes me so happy every time I see them. If there is any reason at all to come to Denmark in the winter, it is definitely to look at the cute little marshmallow children.
So, that’s a brief look into what it’s like being around lots of children in Denmark. And after all that I get to come home and be around three more crazy but amazingly sweet kids. Of course, doing so much with kids can be very tiring. There are days where I have the energy to nothing but pass out on my bed. But for me personally it’s very rewarding, and it makes me happy. Being in the Child Development program does not mean you need to be around kids 24/7, but if you’re super kid crazy, you will definitely have plenty of opportunities to play and let your inner child out with the children of Denmark! Vi ses!
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AuthorOn ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur. Part of my heart I'm leaving behind in the United States. Join me as I take the rest on an amazing adventure to Copenhagen, Denmark! ArchivesCategories
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