So today marked the end of the first week of my part-time job at Gymboree Tropicana City Mall. So far I’ve sat in all 3 types of classes (Play, Music & Arts) and the manager Jessica thinks I’m ready to teach a Level 5 all by myself, which of course, is really nerve-wrecking to think about. 

Basically, a Play class would be held out in the open for everybody to see. And what you have to do is sing really loud, bring the children up and down to explore all the equipments while always talking or singing to them, and then coming back to the centre mat for more songs. Music and Arts are slightly better in the sense that it’s held in closed classrooms, so there’s not much embarrassment to be felt. Unfortunately, I think I have a pretty long way to go for the Arts & Music classes, and right now everybody seems to be asking me to prepare for the Play classes. Yikes. 

But well, the good part about this is that it really boosts your self-confidence. I don’t feel shy talking to kids or their parents in a kiddy voice because, well, that’s what everybody’s doing. I don’t feel that bad doing mock classes in front of the senior staff (singing & talking & doing actual movements to imaginary kids) because nobody kind of laughs when you do that. Everyone’s so serious about the job, and that’s what holds the standard for the place. 

I just hope I get to cut down some work time, because I need a little bit more free time for my studies.