08/14/09

It was kind of a stressful day today. They do not have any of the special programs on Fridays. They get to play around in one of the three staffed areas. The kids were all wound up. I made hot dogs and heated up a leftover pizza in the microwave. We decided not to allow them to have their snacks until all the kids arrived because there was a very limited amount of pizza. Therefore, all the kids got impatient. I figured that today was the day that I needed to start taking charge.

There were a few instances where I had to give discipline to the kids. In one instance, a kid did not follow my instruction to hang her whoola hoop up when there was a dodgeball game going on. She threw the whoola hoop instead. I was unable to explain to her at the time why I wanted her to sit in time out. I just sat her out for the game. Later I was able to give her an explanation. It is my first week and I am still a little bit nervous. In another instance, a kid had gotten out of line for a game and went back into the same spot. I told him he had to go to the back of the line. He would not move, so he earned a time out. I did not want to give them time outs. I want to establish good friendships with the kids, but at the same time, I want them to respect me.