STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

RyanJ · Coach

Junior Achievement anyone?

Dizzy · Marc Jacobs

Kids will love you if you talk to them like they're adults. Defer to them a little bit, without being condescending, and ask their opinion a lot. If they get whiny or bratty, just raise your eyebrows and refuse to argue with them. If they tattle, say "thank you for telling me. Are you hurt?" when they say no, say "Good." Don't get too caught up in making them do what you want, unless it really matters (safety wise, I mean) Just sort of say, "here's what we can do together today," and assume they'll go along with it. Stay calm, remember you're the adult, and don't worry about them too much.

Second graders should be fine. Most of them will try to kiss up for attention. The ones who don't will try to see if they can rattle you. Just don't react to them. You set the tone.

Does that make sense? Hth. I was a nanny and am the oldest of 11, and I don't have any, but I like kids. They're not scary. They give you a chance to let your playful side out.

PS - if you call one of them a douchebag, they'll love it. But then they'll keep trying to get you mad because it's fun. And let them call you whatever makes you more comfortable. If you want them a little scared, stick with Mrs. Ryan, if you want to be more egalitarian, go with just Ryan.

-- Edited by Dizzy at 12:46, 2006-03-23

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

2nd graders are usually 7 or 8. I think the teacher will stay in the room with you so if there are any behavior problems she will take care of it for you. In Houston, JA usually sends 2 people to each class so that it is less overwhelming. Back home though they only sent 1 (or maybe it depends on the grade since I was older when I had JA). Anyways you should be ok. I agree with Dizzy. Just treat them normally like little adults and you should be ok. I would check with the teacher and see if little treats would be ok to give out like stickers or pencils or candy. Then you can reward them for participating with little treats.

Drew · Gucci

I was laughing all the way through your post!!!

Ahhh, no advice here, but I did just have an encounter today with three of what I will assume were 9 or 10 year old boy scouts. I never have kid encounters and it was fun. They were nice and sweet and polite... much like yours will be tomorrow.

ejc423 · Coach

I think 2nd grade is a good age for people who aren't crazy about kids. They are old enough to know how to behave and do things for themselves, but they are still cute.

Just have fun with them, follow through on whatever you tell them (whether it's rewarding hard work or talking to the teacher about bad behavior), and don't be scared of them (they will know). They usually need stability and consistancy more than anything. Let us know how it goes!

laken1 · Hermes

This may be too late, but I'm with ya girl! I am not a little kid fan really because I'm not around them much more than for any other reason & big packs of them scare me. But I did Jr. Achievement - I taught kindergarten & really it was fun. I agree to treat them like adults - I don't believe in baby talking little kids - I think they find it irritating too! You'll do great & really I would think 2nd graders are even better than the one I taught - they are still clingy & such in Kindergarten.

Have fun & please let us know how it goes.

RyanJ · Coach

Thanks everyone!

I went to the first class today and it was not nearly as bad as I had anticipated. I am not going to change my major to education, but I won't dread having to get up at 8:30 in the moring on a Friday to go to the class.

I didn't baby talk or call any of them names. They sure do like to talk. I would ask a question and 20 hands would shoot up. I am used to be in college classes where no one raised their hand. It was pretty neat.

Aurora- the JA person that I talked to said that they try to send 2 people to a classroom. Like if an organization volunteers they will pair the people up, but since I am doing this on my own they sent just me. It is only 20 kids and there is a teacher and a student teacher. Plenty of extra hands to hlep out.

Thanks again everyone for your help.