Day Two (Can't think of a creative title)

Hello again.  Checking in at the end of day two.  Today’s schedule was similar to yesterday’s.  I did more one-on-one play therapy with some of the younger kids.  I’ve been reading some books while I’m here about play therapy, and what I learn at night I try to put into practice during the day.  It’s slow going, but it is also fascinating.  It’s one more reminder of how much I don’t know and how much there is still to learn.

            The afternoon is the slowest part of the day so far.  After lunch the kids lie down for naps and rest time which lasts until about 2:30.  Today I used that time to go up on the roof and eat lunch, read, journal, and simply give my brain a rest.  This talking in a foreign language is exhausting!  I speak mostly Kreyol with the kids and then French with the teachers and some of the workers.  I think most of the time I’m speaking a mix of Kreyol and French—don’t whether it makes sense to anyone. 

            Today’s child profile is about Phonsley.  We think he is about 3 years old and has some level of retardation.  He has a big smile and loves to sit with a person one-on-one.  He isn’t able to crawl yet.  He can pull himself along on his arms, but he struggles to push with his legs.  He tries to push with the left leg, but the right leg pretty much stays straight out.  He likes to be tickled.  Well, he laughs and giggles when he’s tickled, so he seems to be enjoying himself!  Tickling him also gets him up on all fours for a bit.  Maybe from that position he will figure out how to crawl?

            I’ve never been here on a weekend before.  I wonder what it will be like with all the kids here all day.  I’ve never seen the weekend routine before.  It will be a learning experience!