Training

Training as in many jobs was tedious and full of a lot of information that we needed to remember. My training for Kid Zone lasted 3 days for a couple hours each day. The training was held at a local elementary school so that we could watch the Kid Zone program in person and in action as we learned the rules and what Kid Zone was all about. We got to tour around a typical multi center area where Kid Zone is held at schools, which was fun. We got to see examples of the activities they put on for the kids. Hopefully I can bring some of the ideas at this particular school to my school I will be permanently working at.

Many of our training was learning about protocols with the kids and the facility. It was also training on kid safety as well as protecting ourselves from situations that may arise. I think one of the most difficult things to learn was what you can and cannot say to the kids and how you can interact with them. An example would be that we can put on activities such as dodge ball but we are not allowed to actually play in the game. We can referee the game and supervise the game but we are technically not allowed to play with the kids in their games. I am very hands on and have always played with the kids when they play sports or even playing dolls, so this will be really hard to transition into not being so hands on.

I came into the program thinking that the program was more of a babysitting site where kids could do homework or maybe play on the playground. Boy was I wrong! Kid Zone is truly a hands on program that strives to enrich kids' lives and be a fun environment for kids while they wait for their parents after school. We provide many activities for them to participate in and are constantly on our feet. Training was our only time we will be sitting.