How to Succeed as an Elementary School Lunch Aide

The job of the lunch lady can be pretty strenuous. Lunch ladies not only have to make sure children are fed but they also have to ensure their well being. At times the count can run as high as 20 children and it can be difficult to keep an eye on every child. The job may seem hectic and it can be but if you are amiable and enjoy being around kids then you should have no problem succeeding. If you are looking for ways to be a successful lunch aide then you should take a look below at some of the advice.

1. Keep a watchful eye. The children will be your main concern and you need to make sure that they are safe. You need to make sure that children are not bullying each other or bothering each other. You also need to make sure that the children are sitting and eating their food and not playing with their food. This is important because you do not want a child choking on their food.

2. Listen to the children. Some older individuals are old school and believe that the children should listen to the adult but in the case of being a lunch aid, listening to the children is very important. Remember that you are there to help the children ad the only effective way to help the children is to listen to them.

3. Do not be too nice. It is always great to be amiable but being too kind might create a potential problem. Some kids will see kindness as weakness and will test you. If you let them get away with the things they are not supposed to then they will not respect you and do what they want to do. So you can befriend them while chatting with them here and there but you also need to be the adult and draw the line when needed. Children will respect you more if they see that you are kind and set rules.

4. Be consistent and firm when needed. It is important to follow through with rules. Always say what you mean and do what you say. When you establish rules children know what to expect. They know their place and understand the consequences for not following the rules. Remain consistent with the rules; you cannot disallow something one day and then allow the next day.

5. Don't be too mean. You never want to come across as a grinch because kids will fear you. If kids fear you they will be less likely to approach you and this can lead to unsavory situations. A girl that is being harassed by a boy might not come right out and tell you or a kid that has hit his head pretty hard might not come to you to tell you what is wrong. It is important to find that balance between good and nice. You do not want to be too mean or too nice.

6. You need to prioritize and multitask. Being a lunch aide comes with a lot of responsibility. You need to have the ability to decide which matters should be taken care of first. You will also need to have a knack for quick thinking and problem solving skills as certain instances can arise that will need immediate attention.

7. Know all procedures for allergies, discipline, and going to the nurse. It is a must to know what children in your class have allergies and what those allergies are and what you are supposed to do in the event that they have a reaction. You should also find out the procedure is for sending kids to the nurse.

8. Be on time. As with any job you need to be on time. These children depend on your presence so make sure that you are there to greet them.

9. Communicate with teachers and let them know of any problems that you are having with certain students. Teachers are very helpful and will discuss with you ways of how to improve or at least handle the behavior of a kid that is misbehaving. If you have any concerns of the children always let the teacher know.

10. Communicate with staff. You might find that in being a lunch aide that you are surrounded with veterans of the job and newcomers. If you are having any difficulty in any area of the job you should feel comfortable talking with staff. Staff members might have some good ideas on how to handle children and different situations that you might face.

11. Smile and be friendly. Come to work with a smile on your face and you will have an easier time getting the work done and getting through the day. You will also be more approachable and others will be more likely to spread the word around about how amiable you are.

12. Lastly, avoid playing favorites. Try to give every kid an equal amount of attention.