– Jeg har det veldig bra når vi er ute en hel dag og tenner bål, løfter på steiner og klatrer i trær – og et barn roper «kom og se hvor høyt jeg har klatret!».
– I immediately felt that this was something I enjoyed, and that I had a good connection with the children. Every morning, I was greeted by a group of kids who were super happy to see me, and I felt that it was meaningful to go to work.
And that's a feeling he still carries with him – now as a pedagogical leader at Tirilltoppen Kindergarten in Lade, Trondheim, where he has worked since 2017.
– I thought about it just yesterday when I arrived at work. A child came running and shouted my name and gave me a hug, smiles the 31-year-old.
And it's a feeling he still carries with him – now as the educational leader at Tirilltoppen Kindergarten in Lade, Trondheim, where he has worked since 2017.
– I thought about it just yesterday when I arrived at work. A child came running and shouted my name and gave me a hug, smiles the 31-year-old.
– I feel really good when we are out for a whole day, lighting a fire, lifting stones, and climbing trees – and a child shouts, "come and see how high I've climbed!". I feel happy when the kids finally master something they have practiced, and maybe have been a bit anxious about, he says, adding:
– And when I go home after a day and feel that we have seen all the children in a good way, it's a good feeling.
For there are many who need to be seen throughout the day. There are over 90 children at Tirilltoppen, and a little over 20 in Lars's department. Now they swarm around us. Climbing, sliding, digging, and wandering. Outside the gate lies the shore and the Ladestien trail, offering endless hiking opportunities. Lars greatly appreciates that.
– I grew up by the sea and really enjoy being outdoors. Here, I can truly use my interests and strengths in my job. The kindergarten is close to the sea, the shore, and the forest, and we spend a lot of time on outings.
That was also the reason he chose the kindergarten teacher education with a focus on nature and outdoor life at Queen Maud's Memorial College for kindergarten teacher education.
– I had wonderful years there with a great class environment and skilled and engaged teachers. The nature and outdoor life program suited me very well, and I gained many good tools that I use in my job today. For example, we created a natural playground at the college, and I have done the same here in the kindergarten. I'm not sure I would have thought of it without taking that program, he says.
The goal is to be a kindergarten teacher for as long as he can, but he also knows that the physical part of the job can eventually take its toll.
– I enjoy it so much and want to work in a kindergarten for as long as possible, but at the same time, it's not certain I'll be here when I'm 60.
– What will you do then?
– I don't know. But I know that I have many opportunities with the experience and education I have, so I'm not worried about that, smiles Lars before he goes to light the fire pit. And teach how to light a fire or answer why water is wet, bandage a knee, carve a skewer, or ...
