Introduction to AWANA:
AWANA CLUB is an afterschool activity provided for SFS elementary students that is held on Wednesdays from 3 to 5. Originating in America, the club was built in order for children to learn about God with entertainment which can positively impact their long-term connection with Christ. Attending SFS from first grade, I joined the AWANA CLUB myself during my 3rd~5th grade. It is interesting how all the memories are vivid where colors green and yellow are pictured when recalling the moments. The fact that the memories are still unforgotten and the colors represent happiness and rebirth, I believe that this program has positively impacted me. Because I understand how much power AWANA holds, I desire to be part of the impact on other children.
Furthermore, it is an opportunity to broaden my knowledge about children’s behavior as taking care of them is the largest responsibility that LITs hold. As AWANA covers concepts based on Christianity, vulnerability may be easily exposed to the children. Pure behaviors may be represented through vulnerability which allows me to investigate and expand my curiosity when relating back to psychology. Furthermore, people who are young tend to display emotions, actions, and behaviors that are unfiltered due to their innocence which is another fact that strengthens the reliability of their behaviors.
In addition to that, I believe that working with children is very suitable for me as my energy level is infinite. As I possess a bright and crazy personality, I have the ability to constantly entertain children. Moreover, with my loud voice, I may be a helpful source for Mrs. Min as I may somewhat control a large group. However, for the past few years of attending AWANA as a LIT, I recognized the hardships I gained from not being able to create peace during a fight, making correct decisions, and handling my own personality. Specifically, when a fight occurs, I understand that anything with physical or verbal harassment is inappropriate which is easy to state with full confidence. Though, it was difficult for me to decide what to do next. Screaming is considered inappropriate, but desiring to state what he or she did wrong still remained. Like this, it was challenging to what extent I can educate the children in AWANA as I can not guarantee that my behavior is right or wrong. Making a correct decision in a short period of time is significant as there is constant chaos. An example would be: if I am taking care of a group and one child desires to use the bathroom, I can not make a decision. This is because the child is extremely young which going to the bathroom themselves would be dangerous, but I can not leave the group alone. Like this, when simple yet impactful decisions have to be made, it is difficult for me to respond with an action that could not lead to a conflict. As already mentioned, I possess a unique personality that may be both positive and negative to being an LIT. Although I never displayed an unprincipled action or behavior, I still desire to create a “constantly displaying a principled behavior” goal since I believe it is something that I have to be constantly aware of.
