More About Me
Relevant experience where I also cared for children were...
I grew up babysitting (infants through middle school aged children) in informal as well as formal settings (ie: in home vs church nursery during VBS, etc.). After graduating college, I taught fifth and second graders before transitioning to a job as a toddler teacher (I have been placed in rooms of all ages for short periods of time, but my primary classroom is the 18-24 mo age range).
Activities I enjoy doing with children...
One of my favorite things to do with children is read. At my preschool, we also teach sign language, and I have found that not only is the singing and signing process fun for children, but learning rudimentary sign language is a great way to encourage kids to communicate non-verbally. Those are two specific examples but honestly, kids make even the most seemingly mundane things an adventure. Their curiosity and enthusiasm as they discover their world and where they fit within it is a constant inspiration to me, and one of the reasons that I love working with children.
The most important part about being a nanny...
Being patient, compassionate, and knowing how to see the positive in every situation.
My experience with special needs children...
I have taught children with behavioral needs and cared for children with behavioral and special needs (ASD and CP being among them).
The most important part about being a nanny...
The kids I teach learning how to pronounce my name in their somewhat variously distorted ways (ie: Beba, Deda, Joja) was pretty heartwarming. Deda is a favorite of mine because when my sister was that age she used to call me Deda.