The period 4 Child Development class, in room 55 in the Annex at South Windsor High School, had their first class with the children they will be working with for the rest of the year, on Friday, March 7th, in preparation for the coming months of nostalgic fun.
Recently, the 4th period Child Development class met their new friends for the first time for a day of free play.
“We do circle time; we do free play; we have structured activities; we play outside,” Child Development and FCS (Family and Consumer Science) teacher, Mrs. Doherty said.
Starting March 13th, the children will come in weekly to play, learn, and spend time with their peers and special friends.
“The children come Tuesday through Friday, 9-12, and spend 3 hours with us,” Doherty said
The program that structures the Child Development class is unique as a preschool. South Windsor High School students are assigned to preschool children aged 3-4 as their “special friend”. The students are expected to play, assist, and interact with the children all while noting their development physically, socially, intellectually, and emotionally.
“The uniqueness of the program is the high school students working side-by-side with the preschoolers, so they have their peer friends and their special friends,” Doherty said
By being involved with the children weekly, students are able to build bonds with their special friend, while learning real-life skills handling children.
Students who plan to work with children as a future career can benefit from this hands-on, interactive class, by learning to overcome and understand the challenges that come with childcare based careers.
“I do get a variety of students that are interested in taking the class who want to work with children in their future,” Doherty said. “And then I also have students who just want to have a class where they’re engaging with children during the day because they love children.”
Students are excited to spend even more time with their special friends as a time to unwind and have fun during the stressful school day, all while building important skills and new friendships.
“I would definitely recommend this class to someone who is patient and engaged in their learning.” Child Development student, Sophia Pafundi said. “This class requires a lot of kindness and The ability to work with others.”
