Fieldwork Journal

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My volunteer work at Cariboo Childcare Society involved taking care of children under one year old. I played with them, fed them, helped them nap, and changed their clothes. At first, I was worried because the children couldn’t speak, but over time, I got to know them better and felt more confident in my ability to care for them.

I was able to calm crying children and feed snacks to a few kids at the same time. I also learned how to balance different tasks, like feeding and playing with the children. However, I had some challenges, such as understanding teachers’ fast English, feeding children who didn’t want to eat, and taking care of many kids at once. I worked on these problems by asking teachers for help, paying close attention to their advice, and practicing my listening and speaking skills with my host family and teachers at school.

This experience was very rewarding because I built strong connections with the children and improved my childcare skills. Spending time with them every day was enjoyable, and I learned a lot about how to care for young kids, be patient, and adapt to their needs. I felt a sense of accomplishment as I grew more comfortable and confident in my role. This experience has helped me develop skills that I will use in the future.