Peaceful Travels ★: London: Day Three

Today was my first day at The Chelsea Group of Children school! I had the most marvelous day. I couldn't sleep last night because I was nervous, as usual, but I ended up really enjoying myself. This morning it was difficult to jump into a new environment with all new people and students but by midday I felt slightly more at ease. Most of the teachers were extremely welcoming and the children were just muffins. There was not a lot of time for explanation from anyone soI did not always know what to do in any given situation so I simply had to just jump right in! I spent today going to each of the lessons with only one group of five children which I enjoyed because I got to know each of these children better and I also got to experience each individual classroom. Since the children all have special needs and have a reason for being at this school, it was sometimes very difficult for the teacher to implement a lesson for a group while children could barely keep still. I imagine that this is an incredibly challenging career for these teachers and I really admire them.

I have a tendency to become very attached to children and today was no different. These children are such little gems, despite whatever ailment they hold, and I found them incredibly enchanting and entertaining. My favorite little girl was a tiny little thing who does not speak a word. The thing that amazed me was that, despite having no speaking ability currently, I could have whole conversations with her without any words. She signs and motions and points and makes noises for what she wants or what she is interested in doing. I had so much fun exploring the playground with her. She would grab my hand and we would run around in huge circles, laughing, and then when we would stop she would have me stomp my feet and lay down on the ground and then jump up. So many of the children I found to just be quite brilliant, whether they suffered from autism or ADHD. I would constantly be amazed at the different strengths in the classroom that each individual child possessed and I would feel such happiness when they would succeed in a problem or challenge. One little boy, who is absolutely precious, is so smart that I simply showed him one addition problem, 46 + 27, and he knew how to do every other problem afterwards on his own. I was amazed!

I am really excited for the next month and i know that I will be taking away so much knowledge and understanding from being at this school. Now though, I am exhausted so I am going to go have a rest! Addio!