At some point in life, most people will find themselves having to interact with children, but thanks to the growth in the RMHS Child Development class, RMHS students are learning right now about how children grow and learn.
The Child Development class is a full year elective class, taught by PreK-12 Wellness Coordinator Ms. Fiorello. Starting in the fall, students learn different psychologists and their theories on human developmental stages. They also begin going to the district’s RISE pre-school once a week where they make observations on the students’ behaviors. As the year progresses, the class then includes projects on families, and how they impact a child’s thoughts and actions. The students continue going to RISE, but instead of making observations, they interact with the preschoolers and apply what they have learned in order to improve the children’s development.
The sole teacher of the Child Development course, Ms. Fiorello has been teaching the class for thirteen years. She took over the class when the previous teacher, Ms. Camenker could no longer teach it due to adding other classes to her course load. When she first started teaching the class, Fiorello said there was one class of about fifteen students, however, over the past few years they’ve, “added multiple sections of 15-25 kids,” and there was a time when, “we had to cap it at 28 students and essentially make cuts, which was a challenge.” While many larger districts such as Cambridge, Sommerville, and Burlington offer Child Development courses, Fiorello says, “It is unique to Reading in that we are not a massively huge city school or district but we still can offer these opportunities to our RMHS students and I think it’s really important.”
Fiorello believes that this class is an important option to have at RMHS. For students looking to go into college in a field where they will interact with children, Fiorello views the class as having a positive impact, stating, “It is so important for kids going into fields working with kids, and also working with other people… you’re learning to manage different types of behavior and personalities–motivation and intention, too.” Even so, many students still take the class regardless of their intended career paths, which Fiorello applauds. “No matter where you go, what you do, you will be able to take what you learn with you into that field.” Through the growth of the child development course, Ms. Fiorello is most proud of, “giving the opportunity for our high school students to build transferable skills, working with the children, learning in the classroom about how kids grow and change and then putting it into actual practice with the RISE kids.”
Interim Director of RISE Preschool, Alanna Shone, has a positive outlook on the program. Shone states, “When anyone, especially high school students, connect with others and volunteer, no matter the age, it is positive.” Not only is it helpful for high school students to be exposed to different careers, such as that of a teacher, it also is a positive experience for the kids. “Students are engaged with others, making social connections, seeing role models, and potentially getting more positive attention,” said Shone.
Not only is the Child Development class interesting and engaging for RISE students, but also RMHS students. Senior Claire O’Brien was initially interested in the class for its information and knowledge in raising kids of her own. Though she doesn’t intend a career with kids, the class is still helpful. “It helps us better understand how even children think differently and how it can affect them in adulthood.”
