Olivia Pellarin

May 31, 2014 @ 10:00 am

Developmental Pathways for Kids

Jennifer Berry: jenniferberry24@gmail.com

For my P.A.C.T project I volunteered at Developmental Pathways for Kids. Even after my fifth visit to the organization, I was still amazed at what these children were teaching me. I truly believe that best quality of a child is their love and amazement for the simple things in life. On my fifth visit the theme for the day was detectives. The children went on a scavenger hunt; the goal was to work together to find all the items on the list. It amazed me at how excited these kids were to use toy magnifying glasses, dress up, and run around with their peers in order to accomplish this goal. This moment struck me because I remember as a child always loving scavenger hunts, and I realized if simple things like this game could make these children who struggle in life so happy, maybe I should take time out of my day to stop and enjoy the simple things. My favorite experience did not take place at the organization, instead it was on July fourth and I was at the Redwood City Fourth of July parade. A pair of brothers that I worked with at Developmental Pathways for Kids came running through the crowd just to give me a hug and tell me about all the exciting things that they had done since I last saw them. I remember feeling blessed that I was lucky enough to work with these kids who were filled with excitement for life.

Olivia Pellarin
May 10, 2014 @ 10:00 am
Developmental Pathways for Kids
Jennifer Berry: jenniferberry24@gmail.com

I used my P.A.C.T opportunity to work with kids between the ages of four and nine who have sensory disorders. Before my first visited I came to the organization with the misconception that the kids would be difficult to work with and that these kids would have trouble interacting with their peers. The fact of the matter is that these misconceptions were false. Although there were challenging movements where I had to learn to be patient, I found my self-amazed at how kind and caring these children were towards their peers. Through working at Developmental Pathways for Kids I learned that if a person explores actives out of their comfort zone, even activities as simple as wearing silly hats and have a little patients, a person will discover the joys of watching kids make new friends and develop new skills. I believe that I made a lasting impression on these kids, but I know for a fact these children made a lasting impression on me. One moment that stands out in my mind is at my first visit this little girl would not interact with her peers or get involved in the activities, instead she just stood behind her sister. By my third visit I saw this little girl dancing, making new friends, and accomplishing things I would have never thought possible when I completed my first visit.