Submitted by Erin Sudol on the 2019 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences and the Department of Hospitality Business Management…
During this program, we must complete a fifty hour field placement. My placement is at Lawrence T. Gay Memorial School. It is a primary school and I am working with six- to seven-year old children. I visit three different classrooms to observe the teaching styles, lesson plans, and how the children interact with one another. This school has similarities and differences to the schools in America. The children receive more breaks such as snack time and longer recess. They have more freedom and are allowed to roam around without hall passes or traveling in a line. Corporal punishment is sometimes used by the teachers. The children are very bright and more advanced here. They are also very kind and willing to share with me and their fellow classmates. They sometimes misbehave and have trouble focusing, but that is universal with all children. Every morning, they pray and sing church songs. They have religious classes and God is talked about frequently. I am very much enjoying my time with these students.
