Explore, Imagine and Believe at International Kids Sunflower

I have always enjoyed engaging with kiddies, playing games, colouring in, hearing their imaginations run wild, giggles and just the beauty of them. People have asked me before why I didn`t enter a career path involving kiddies like teaching for example, which I did briefly consider during high school, but writing and other passions took priority. In saying that I continue to seek opportunities with kids and have been privileged to volunteer at Nkoaranga Orphanage in Tanzania, a school in Malawi (help2kids.org/) and now International Kids Sunflower kindergarten in Thailand.

In my OCD state of planning my trip to Thailand when I was in England, I made sure I had two Work Away placements and practically planned the first 6 weeks of my trip to the day. I have now taken a deep breath and left room for spontaneity for the last two weeks of my trip in Thailand!

I arrived in Ao Nang, Krabi a few days ago and was collected by the Head Teacher who brought me to the school. She was so warm and friendly and ensured that I was comfortable at the school and gave me a short brief on the area before she left. I was blown away by the school at first glance and the excitement to meet the little dumplings was overwhelming. The school is a converted house with areas assigned for each class, play area, sleeping area, kitchen, bathrooms, upstairs area for volunteers, eating hall and so on. The play area explodes with vibrant colours and learning materials, books, toys, costumes and more. It is absolutely perfect and the garden / outside area has a soft play area and jungle gym.

I met all the teachers the following morning and they were all so lovely, and even more so were all the kiddies ranging from 18 months to four years or so. I was assigned to help the teacher with the pre-toddler group...they are all so cute! The day started off with singing and learning in English and Thai with all age groups...just imagine the enthusiasm of these little ones singing their hearts out, followed by breakfast and then class. I was more than happy to help with the pre-toddlers and had an absolute blast on my first day. Although I was a bit stumped on how to engage all the dumplings in one activity at the same time...

Soon enough after a day or two I became more confident with the dumplings and not to mention recalling back on all I learnt whilst I was in the UK with my darling sister and nephew (she is a nursery school teacher and psychologist). I went to heaps of play groups, play dates and so on that had kiddies around the same age. And obviously the kiddies became a bit more comfortable with me every day which definitely helps. The kids I help with are just gems and adorable. We have explored colours, words, colouring in (love this), heaps of playtime, stories, playing with tambourines and rattles and generally going a bit mental in a good way!

My favourite part of the day is after nap time when an external teacher comes in to do arts and crafts. I figured this may be a big reason why I love kiddies because in times like these the kid in you comes out and you just go with it. I love painting (like a kid and not the prodigy type), arts, getting messy, creative and having fun. The kids are in their element during arts and crafts and love taking part in the activities ranging from painting to playing instruments to making crafts to dress up in costumes to story time to singing and just being a silly kid. The kids here are amazing and have so much powerful energy, unconditional love and are so amusing. Most of them are mixed between Thai and another nationality and are so unique and beautiful. It has been so interesting to get to know their personality and what makes each of them light up with joy.

I have thankfully learnt most of the kiddies names (there are around 18+) which definitely helps, although not all of them can speak English but they do understand it. There is even a youngen who doesn`t speak English or Thai as he has recently moved here from his native country. He is so brave and amazes me because there is no way he can communicate with any of us and unfortunately hand gestures don`t always get the message across. But he continues to try every day to interact with the other kiddies and has become good friends with another youngen. These two are inseparable and it is so sweet to watch. I was also told that the youngen has improved dramatically since he first arrived a few months ago and will slowly but surely pick up both languages. I have definitely noticed how the teachers here try to intertact with him and help him along the way. Above that they all show incredible compassion and when a little one gets hurt or is having a meltdown, a teacher will shower him/her with love and kindness. It really is such a graceful sight!

I am so grateful for this opportunity here and engaging with these kiddies. Since I arrived here I have just felt completely in the moment, watching these little ones, spending time with them and their imagination, laughing from my tummy and seeing their smiles from every direction. These kids are such a breath of fresh air and remind me to have fun and go with it...life is not that serious, to explore everything, ask questions, imagine and believe!

It is going to be a noteworthy experience!