Deb and Melanie Feedback/Comments
Week 1
Malanie and I had a good conversation today during nap time.
We discussed “reflection.” Her notes on this for me were:
- being a smaller notepad with me to right notes so that I’m not vocalizing things as they’re happening. Her reasoning was that it takes attention away from the children.
- take advantage of nap time to have these reflective conversations
- I was also asked to try not to speak over the children.
We will connect 1-2 times per week to reflect together about my time with the Marigold Children.
While reflecting on my week she also mentioned the need for educators to allow one another to be one on one while giving direction to the children. This avoids the child being confused, and makes it the adults responsibility to ask for help when/if they need it. Example: when a teacher is directing a child to get ready for outside, I am to remain impartial and not engage unless directly asked to.
Mel and I also discussed some ideas for curriculum implementation. She said to come prepared for outdoor and indoor curriculum because we are going to spend as much time as we can outdoors with the children.
- An idea I will be implementing next week is a giant piece of cardboard attached to the fence outside for children to throw wet sponges at together. This may include rocks, leaves, or other objects the children decide to use.
The idea is to leave this outdoors for the programs to participate in, while encouraging certain children to explore it.
- Another idea I have is to bring in my Old McDonald felt story for the children to enjoy. I will sing the song with them sometimes, but the idea is for the children to connect the word cow with an image and animal sound. These children are all under 3 years old, so this is a great way to bring language and symbol recognition into the classroom.
- Some of the children in the program struggle to put socks on by themselves. In the classroom there is a basket of daycare socks and shoes for the children to play with and practice. To make this more inclusive to the children who struggle, I am going to bring scrunchies to add to the bin.
When children put scrunchies over their toes and onto their ankles, it’s the same movement as socks without the fabric getting caught on their toes in the process. It creates a step toward the goal for the other children.
