I am starting to feel a little out of place. I am not an official staff person, and I am a short-term volunteer. The director moved me to the toddler-2 class today (all of the previous days I have been in toddler-1 being one year olds). The lead teacher was a little startled that I was joining her room, because she wasn't aware that I would be there...
I almost wish I would just stay in toddler-1 because it creates consistency for the kiddos, and I can have more practical, hands-on experience with the various needs of the room.
The director's goal for me, or what I'm seeing at least, is that I can truly get a good observation experience moving my way through the age groups.
Time will tell, as always!
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Day5Care
I took the reigns today. Sure, it might have been on a horse that is unnecessary, but I did it!
Last night, I had to make a conscious decision to get the most out of this whole "volunteer at daycare" experience. First, I admitted to myself that - so far - I've "just" been playing with the kiddos.
But, during my self-eval (something we do often as pre-service teachers), I asked myself:
-How do I lead my own mini-centers? Especially when all the kids want to play with the lady who gets down on their level and offers her attention?
-How do I lead my own centers...with collaboration of the lead teachers?...maybe this will take more communication to them.
And so, today, I experimented during outside play time. If you had walked by our day care, you would have seen one crazy lady with a herd of 15 toddlers following her around the playground for an hour. An HOUR. We went on a repetitive adventure around the playground, lookout at the same birds, planes, flowers, etc. all the while Miss Liz makes everything look new. Some friends came and went and came back again...some friends stayed by my side for the whole play time...I can tell you that there was a LOT less action on the main ground...and I have to think I kept some kiddos out of trouble!
Last night, I had to make a conscious decision to get the most out of this whole "volunteer at daycare" experience. First, I admitted to myself that - so far - I've "just" been playing with the kiddos.
But, during my self-eval (something we do often as pre-service teachers), I asked myself:
-How do I lead my own mini-centers? Especially when all the kids want to play with the lady who gets down on their level and offers her attention?
-How do I lead my own centers...with collaboration of the lead teachers?...maybe this will take more communication to them.
And so, today, I experimented during outside play time. If you had walked by our day care, you would have seen one crazy lady with a herd of 15 toddlers following her around the playground for an hour. An HOUR. We went on a repetitive adventure around the playground, lookout at the same birds, planes, flowers, etc. all the while Miss Liz makes everything look new. Some friends came and went and came back again...some friends stayed by my side for the whole play time...I can tell you that there was a LOT less action on the main ground...and I have to think I kept some kiddos out of trouble!
Day4Care
...See that clever title pun I made? It's Day Four at DayCare! :) I think I'm going to start a trend...I also think that I'm lacking on sleep, but that's besides the point.
Today?
I'm slightly perplexed by "Kyle". I have yet to find out if he has siblings or not - because this is always one of the first questions I ask a lead teacher in regards to a child who is acting out behaviorally. I'm really trying to implement the Nurtured Heart Approach with this child in particular by:
-ignoring bad behavior
-giving attention given to the little victim of the moment's push, shove, 'robbery'...all of these things are big deals to a 1-year old!
-giving attention to positive behavior (this one is emphasized the most, and probably happens the least)
-give one-on-one instruction (today, we worked on "please")
And it went well...
But alas, one step forward, two steps back...I observed today that head teachers seem to be unfamiliar with this kind of approach and I can't say that I expected them to be.
Where is my place in a volunteer position such as this?
Today?
I'm slightly perplexed by "Kyle". I have yet to find out if he has siblings or not - because this is always one of the first questions I ask a lead teacher in regards to a child who is acting out behaviorally. I'm really trying to implement the Nurtured Heart Approach with this child in particular by:
-ignoring bad behavior
-giving attention given to the little victim of the moment's push, shove, 'robbery'...all of these things are big deals to a 1-year old!
-giving attention to positive behavior (this one is emphasized the most, and probably happens the least)
-give one-on-one instruction (today, we worked on "please")
And it went well...
But alas, one step forward, two steps back...I observed today that head teachers seem to be unfamiliar with this kind of approach and I can't say that I expected them to be.
Where is my place in a volunteer position such as this?
Friday, July 1, 2016
Friday the First
Day Three.
What can I say for this beautiful Friday that's been given to us?
Three things: one question, one connection, one suggestion.
One question: Can I continue using developmentally appropriate practice without burning out?
It takes a lot of time, energy, and attention to hold the attention of 5+ children. The animal box was "open" (the term that the lead teachers use to describe which set of toys can be played with at a time) and the kids were just being kids...of course, what would be your first instinct when tons of new toys are dumped on the floor in front of you? This not taking into account that all of your friends are around to play, too. Needless to say, the littles were interested...some for longer seconds than others. When it had gotten a little more chaotic, and the kids a little more distracted by other toys that, they were to be told, were "not open", I decided to close off the "not open" toys by shoving the shelf. I gathered the kiddos 'round and played an impromptu game of "This is the noise this animal makes and it goes "neigh! neigh! neigh!" to name of child."
I got into the swing of this game, but it still took some energy out of me!
One connection:
I want to get to know the other lead teachers. On a human-adult-relationship level...so that I can be more personal to them and them to me...so that I feel less like a stranger and more like a coworker.
One suggestion:
Bring a couple tissues when the kids play outside. Cole, our friend who is visually-impaired, tends to have a very boogery nose outside...and all the time...now that I think about it.
What can I say for this beautiful Friday that's been given to us?
Three things: one question, one connection, one suggestion.
One question: Can I continue using developmentally appropriate practice without burning out?
It takes a lot of time, energy, and attention to hold the attention of 5+ children. The animal box was "open" (the term that the lead teachers use to describe which set of toys can be played with at a time) and the kids were just being kids...of course, what would be your first instinct when tons of new toys are dumped on the floor in front of you? This not taking into account that all of your friends are around to play, too. Needless to say, the littles were interested...some for longer seconds than others. When it had gotten a little more chaotic, and the kids a little more distracted by other toys that, they were to be told, were "not open", I decided to close off the "not open" toys by shoving the shelf. I gathered the kiddos 'round and played an impromptu game of "This is the noise this animal makes and it goes "neigh! neigh! neigh!" to name of child."
I got into the swing of this game, but it still took some energy out of me!
One connection:
I want to get to know the other lead teachers. On a human-adult-relationship level...so that I can be more personal to them and them to me...so that I feel less like a stranger and more like a coworker.
One suggestion:
Bring a couple tissues when the kids play outside. Cole, our friend who is visually-impaired, tends to have a very boogery nose outside...and all the time...now that I think about it.
**Portable tissues!**
 |
| Kleenex, you are genious! "Handy Packs" indeed! |
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