"Every child just needs at least one person to love them". by Paola

"Every child just needs at least one person to love them". by Paola - March 2023 Scholarship Essay

"Every child just needs at least one person to love them," my instructor said.

After countless amounts of "Pleaseeeeee" and "You'll be saving us so much money" comments from my mom, I was peer-pressured to enroll in an early childhood development class at the local junior college. After the first semester in spring, I took another one in the fall. In the end, despite the additional 4-6 hours of work added per week, on top of my regular 20+ hours work-load, I realized it was worth it. My instructor showed me how it was indeed worth it.

Usually, the rigor of a class, especially one at a college level, is intimidating. I knew I would be required to not just learn the material, but also apply it more than what is required in high school. The application is usually the part that I dread, it always makes me put in more effort. This time though, I didn't dread it.

Throughout the course, my instructor taught us about the significance of love and care towards a child's development. If children don't grow up feeling loved and cared for by at least one person, it affects them emotionally and psychologically. They can grow up with more violent tempers, behavioral issues, emotional imbalances, etc. That one person is the lead to who a child will ultimately become. I told my mom, even as a parent, she didn't know the impact of her actions. Parents, if anything, should know how much impact they have on their children's lives. I can't blame her though, I didn't either, it wasn't until my instructor had taught us that. Thankfully though, that one person doesn't have to be a parent. Anyone from teachers, doctors, and family, there has to be someone. Still, I strive to be that person for children. Now that I do know the impact that I have on children, thanks to my instructor, I can use that to the advantage of a child's development. After taking the classes, after processing everything I learned, I then applied it to my life. Regardless of what career I end up pursuing, I'm now sure I want to work with children.

My instructor, Ms. Cambra, made me realize that I want to be that one person that a child needs to feel loved.