San Jose de Buenavista, Antique—They sit comfortably and listen attentively as the speaker delivers her inspirational message. Like children, they would clap their hands or laugh in delight in affirmation to the ideas she shares and stories she tells.

Like a day care worker, DSWD Regional Director Director Macapobre shared her tips and reminders to the day care workers each one with accompanying parable. She was invited as keynote speaker during the recent Provincial Day Care Workers Congress in Antique province.

“You day care workers play a very big role because you teach very young minds. It requires a lot of patience since you are teaching children who are three to four years old… a day care worker should be maalaga. But at the end of the day, you feel good because you make a young soul better,” the director emphasized.

Director Macapobre said children learn social skills at very young age so it is advisable to let them make a choice even in simple decision-making like choosing what clothes to wear.

“It’s a very simple decision-making, so when they grow up they can make decisions for themselves,” adding that parents who do forceful parenting actually does more damage than good on their children. “It demolishes the self-confidence and destroys the imagination of a child. We have to make sure than children are free to express themselves.”

According to her, day care workers should always practice professionalism. Day care workers should dress appropriately when doing their work as this will not only make them look better but also enable them to move freely while inside the classroom, she added.

She reminded them to use their “talents in storytelling” in teaching kids and not in spreading rumour or making use of their official time in talking nonsense with parents who are waiting at the school premises.

“Don’t say bad words. Children are very observant of what we’re doing and what we’re saying,” said Director Macapobre.

She likewise told the day care workers not to take criticisms personally and take criticisms and suggestions with an open mind.
Going to work with a happy face is also important because this will set the mood inside the classroom. “Even if you have a fight with a family member, come to work with a smile because the first who will notice you is the children.”

The director also cited being an efficient worker and having common sense as among the qualities a day care worker should have. She explained day care workers don’t have time for sitting down and is always on the move. They should have knowledge of what is required from them daily and should not be reminded of the same things over and over again.

Being knowledgeable and having good personal attributes can also make a day care worker perform better, Director Macapobre said. A day care worker, she added, also does not share with other people the conditions of a child or if he has learning problems. Instead, she should talk with the child’s parents so the concern would be resolved.

And lastly, she reminded the day care workers to always be healthy. The health condition of the day care worker does not only affect his/her mood but also the health of the children that he/she is teaching, the director added.

Antique Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Lazaro Petinglay said they are very thankful because Director Macapobre really spared her time to be with the day care workers and share with them her knowledge.

He said the previous experiences that the director cited will serve as guide for the day care workers in improving their work./dswd6/WennaBerondo-Bendol