Maria Gavrilova's greatest talent as an educator is loving children.

      On September 27 Russia celebrates the Day of the Educator and All Preschool Workers. Ahead of this professional holiday, a correspondent from the newspaper "Slava Trudu" visited one of the city's kindergartens — "Belekech" — where little ones take their first steps into the world of knowledge and discovery. And it is the educators who help the children along this path. Our piece tells the story of one of them — Maria Gavrilova.

      Konstantin Ushinsky, an outstanding teacher, maintained that only someone who possesses inner integrity and sincerity, and who preserves childlike spontaneity and purity of soul, can become a true pedagogue. It is hard to argue with that. Unique people work in the kindergarten whose profession has become an integral part of their identity. The educators at the "Belekech" kindergarten give a piece of their hearts to their little charges every day. Many of them have significant professional experience, broad knowledge and a well-developed pedagogical instinct, which allows them to perform their duties effectively.

      "Our kindergarten has one hundred and eighty pupils divided into twelve groups," says Elvira Zinnatullina, head of Kindergarten No. 5 "Belekech". "This year we opened one nursery group for children aged one and a half to two years. There are also two groups of the first younger age. Then there are two middle groups, two senior groups and two parallel preparatory groups. Eighteen educators work at the kindergarten."

      Maria Gavrilova is a young specialist, an educator in a younger-age group. The decision to dedicate her life to this profession came to her in childhood. She says she was often trusted to look after her third and second cousins.

      "As long as I can remember, I was always left in charge of little ones," Maria says. "I happily played with them; I enjoyed spending time with them. Since childhood I have known how to communicate with children correctly, how to calm them when they are fussy."

      Her working path in the preschool institution has only just begun — she has been on the job for two months. According to colleagues, being an open and sociable person, she quickly integrated into the team and gladly learns from older, more experienced colleagues.

      "Maria Vyacheslavovna joined the group with interest, and although she is only 21, she copes with her duties and, most importantly, is not afraid of difficulties," says Elvira Zinnatullina. "At first she was, of course, afraid, and there are still some difficulties, but she enjoys working with the little ones. We placed her in a group with children aged two to three. Experienced educators work there who help in everything. She listens to them and always asks for their advice."

      Raising small children is a complex and responsible task. You understand this as soon as you cross the threshold of a preschool institution. Sometimes it is difficult to watch even one child, and when there are more than a dozen it seems almost impossible. Today there are 16 children in Maria's group and each of them is unique. A group in kindergarten is like an orchestra where every instrument plays its part. There are active, curious youngsters who cannot sit still and want to explore everything around them. There are calmer, thoughtful children who prefer to observe and analyze. And there are those who do not hide their moods — their emotions are a real fireworks display.

      Just getting the children ready for a walk is an ordeal! Not all of them can dress themselves yet, so you have to help some and not forget to keep an eye on others who are already dressed and eagerly waiting to go outside.

      But Maria copes, and she brilliantly finds an approach to each child, taking into account their individual characteristics. She knows it is important not only to teach the children basic skills, but also to help them reveal their potential, learn to communicate and interact with others. Great importance is attached to activities.

      "I like to conduct various engaging practices with the children because they find them interesting," Maria says. "For example, today we painted with our fingers — such activities are very useful for the children's fine motor skills. The children listen attentively and imitate. Every day for us is different. We play a lot, communicate and have fun. The children give me happy emotions and a good mood every day."

      In her interactions with the children Maria demonstrates patience and calm. She understands that every child is unique and tries to choose the most effective approach for each little one. She admits that the work of an educator cannot be called easy.

      "Studying to become an educator was easier than actually working as one," the young woman says with a smile. "I had to learn a lot while already on the job, adapt to each child, get used to them, because they are all so different! The difficulties were also connected to the fact that I was immediately given very young children — I probably wasn't very ready for that and was a little overwhelmed. But after some time I got to know them better, got used to them and grew to love them. I like that they loved me back — they always hug me when they come into the group and give me their smiles. Every day I see how the little ones learn something new and become more independent. It's incredibly touching and inspires me. Sometimes they are fussy or quarrel, but I try to explain to them how important it is to be kind and patient with each other. I teach them the basics of friendship, mutual help and respect."

      Maria pays special attention to creating a warm, friendly atmosphere and makes efforts so that the children enjoy spending their day at the kindergarten.

      "I try to be a patient and understanding educator. I don't shout at the little ones, especially since it's useless," Maria is sure. "I believe every educator should be able to find an individual approach to each child. It is important to speak calmly and talk to children, even when they quarrel or argue with each other. You shouldn't shout at them; it's better to call them over and talk calmly. An educator should not raise their voice at a child, even if the child's behavior is far from ideal."

      And when children disagree, it is important that the quarrel does not turn into a protracted conflict, but that the children can calmly reconcile and ask each other for forgiveness.

      The pedagogical field places high demands on specialists because the work is with children. Educators are not random people; it is a calling and a beloved profession that allows one to stay in the field for a long time and develop as a specialist. The foundation for all of this was laid for Maria by her teachers.

      "I received my education at the Almetyevsk College of the Kazan Innovative University with a specialization in 'Preschool Education,'" Maria recounts. "We were taught not only theory but were also given many opportunities for practice in kindergartens. We organized productions and put on performances in preschool institutions. In addition, the college had a center for children with disabilities. This also allowed me to gain skills in communicating with special-needs children."

      Maria is currently pursuing higher education part-time, having chosen the profession of speech therapist — this will give her the opportunity to work with children individually and further help their development.

      Aigul Gabdrafikova