In the past I have worked in centers where often educators didn’t see eye-to-eye. This put a lot of toxicity in the air, and created an unbalanced work environment.

For example, my most recent job trained us to always be playing with the children, but what I’ve since learnt is that children don’t ALWAYS need you to be playing with them.

If a child is engaged in play/exploring on their own, it is not necessary to invite yourself into that space.

While completing my practicum, I’ve been watching as educators wait for children to engage with them first. If a child wants to play with you, they will seek you out. When you place yourself near, and make yourself available to them, they will seek you out or engage with you in ways that make sense to them.

I always thought it was weird and unnecessary to implement myself into children’s play without their invite. I am happy that I have been able to learn ways to do this that are meaningful to the child.

By sitting nearby, I am participating in “wants nothing quality time.” A time where the educator wants nothing from the child. There is no task waiting to be completed. It is just about the child having their needs met in ways that benefit them, with or without the educator.