Mollya

My Summary

My Experience

While in year 12 (2018-2019) I assisted two drama classes, one being year 9s and the other being year 7s. I also worked with ACE kids in an art class every Thursday for 6-8 months, the class had children with mixed special needs.

While working in the drama class I had to learn the balance between being in control and having power over the class's behaviour, while also being engaging and keeping them interested in the topics at hand. This was challenging at first, but I eventually understood that you didn't need to be 'scary' or 'intimidating' to have control, you must gain respect and have an ability to be understanding. When children would rebel against myself or the teacher, I would imagine myself from their viewpoint, taking that into account when correcting their behaviour. This allowed me to gain more perspective, and understand the two classes better! I became even more passionate about teaching via this experience.

In the ACE class, I mainly gained patience, compassion, and problem-solving skills. There was one child in particular that regularly found the class challenging to settle in, which led to misbehavior and conflict- with myself and the teacher but the other children too. In one lesson he started being interruptive and unfocused, which lead to the teacher calling the support teams for him to be placed in a separate classroom. I reflected on his behavior and questioned where it had come from. I resolved that it may come from anger and a lack of comfortability, which is perfectly reasonable (it was near school Christmas, so most classes had changed their dynamics and the teacher had called on the people he disliked). I applied techniques I had learned via counseling sessions, and engaged him in a calming activity, drawing a box while inhaling and exhaling, he eventually did indeed calm down and apologised to those around him, portraying genuine regret- which was quite moving as he tended to illustrate a lack of care. The teacher of the class congratulated me. I realised that before reacting you must have patience and calm tones. I found that the class, although labeled negatively, were very wonderful and should be thought of as nothing less. I believe I formed rapports with this class incredibly well and was able to recognise their likes, dislikes, their worries, their anxieties and utilise this while assisting them in their learning.

Babysitting from the ages of 15 to the present mean I have been able to adjust my thinking and reflect on the children I have looked after. Being able to evaluate things that went wrong and what I should've done next time. For example, when I started to regularly babysit I was unable to recognise a little boy's fear of certain apparatus in the park, and when I reflect I realise I should've encouraged him to try it, rather than just ignoring it altogether. I experienced children of different ages, from babies to 11-year-olds, meaning I developed skills in communication and engagement of all ages. I especially have experience with children from the ages of newborn - 6 years of age. I would take them to the park, to town, make meals, and do simple care activities such as bath times. I played with them, trying to give them stimulating activities that ran deeper than just creativity. I also encouraged reading and would help them read to me. In the last year, I have babysat for my neighbor on numerous occasions. One of her children has down syndrome, giving me experience with the condition. I would take care of them while she was busy or out, and would make sure they are safe. I held in general responsibilities but also learned things that make my ability to look after children as great as those with high qualifications, being mature, forming connections, and being able to gain trust. From my experience, I have learned valuable problem-solving skills and a grasp over how babysitters are more than just babysitters.

My Qualifications

Currently studying at Royal Holloway, University of London doing my first year in English (BA HONS).

I have a level 2 food hygiene and safety qualification, which I achieved while working at Coletta and Tyson.

A-level results (2018-2020) studied at sixth form at Longcroft school and 6th form:
Drama - A
English literature and language-C
Sociology -D

GCSE results (2013-1018) studied at Longcroft School and 6th form:
History-5
Textiles-C
Biology-5
Physics-4
Chemistry-4
Drama-6
English language-4
English literature-6
Maths-5

My Availability

I am available:
Wednesdays from 12pm onwards.
Evenings from 6:30 pm.
Weekends all day.
I also hold flexibility through the weekdays, dependent on my timetable and lecture/seminar times.

My Fees

• Babysitting from £8.50 per hour

There may be fees if I have to travel via taxi, bus or train.