Assignment three

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Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology *

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181

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English

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Jan 9, 2024

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ECE181(digital book) OBSERVATION OF CHILDREN ---How Observation Can Transform Your Teaching Xiao Mai Yu November 28,2021

QUOTE 1 Every child has a story to tell, and within that story is the secret to reaching her or him as a learner. Children’s stories are windows into their uniqueness, and clues on how to connect the child and the curriculum. -Herb Kohl

QUOTE 2 We do not really see through our eyes or hear through our ears, but through our beliefs. To put our beliefs on hold is to cease to exist as ourselves for a moment. -Lisa Delpit

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Children’s perspective & how we learn from it QUOTE 3 Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul. -Friedrich Froebel

Seeing and understanding the world from someone else’s point of view is an important life skill. Learn why perspective taking is important and ways you can help children develop this essential skill (Kylie Rymanowicz, 2016). At some point in our lives, as we grow older, most of us gradually lose our childish outlook on the world, and though we may talk a lot in life about what children can teach us, as well as how they can inspire us, the ability to see through a child’s eyes in truly one of the most powerful statements I have ever heard. Not only am I a mom of three children, I am also an Early Childhood Education worker. Through these experiences, I am continuously amazed everyday by the children’s actions and words. There is always a time in my day where I stop and marvel, reflecting on the things the kids do in their day-to-day life. Humans are social animals, and the majority of us are not confined to isolation from society. In order to become successful, each person has to engage and work with others. As well, it is crucial that we understand and actively participate in seeing things from another’s perspective. As adults, our time is bargained with, and the majority of the time, we cannot afford to stop and relax while in pursuit of what we dream of for our children. Likely, we have forgotten how to feel and to enjoy the world we are surrounded by; thus, it can be important to stop what we are doing sometimes simply to appreciate what our children are unknowingly teaching us. They understand better than anyone that regardless of how insignificant somethings are, they may contain a meaning larger than viewed at surface value. Apply observation in daily teaching

The better you know how to observe, the better you are with program planning, as well, the ability to thoroughly and continually observe is an asset crucial to Early Childhood Educators and parents/guardians, assisting them in the monitoring of their children in the early stages of childhood development. By observing children as they explore, play, and learn, we can extrapolate necessary information such as the developmental stage they currently reside in, in order to plan ahead and ensure the child receives the proper support they need in the future as they gain new interests, skills, and knowledge. Earlier in my career, I typically set up the pre-K classroom as a space reserved for safe learning, ensuring that the environment is designed to accommodate the needs of each individual child however it can. Children, regardless of how old, should be given opportunities to explore the environment around them in order to gain knowledge, as well as build important life skills such as problem-solving, communication, and collaborative skills. As an Early Childhood Educator, to build a healthy, developmental, and child-directed environment means that we should utilize the knowledge we have on hand, as well as other various observations we make throughout our day, to curate the perfect surrounding for children to grow up in. For example, in my pre-K classroom, I would include areas such as reading, coloring, dramatic play (kitchen, dolls, crib, costume, etc.), car play, blocks and construction toys, etc. where some sections can be quiet, for more active children, while others for kids who prefer calmer activities. As well, I am never simply “letting children play”, and instead, I observe them closely to understand what they need, thus turning myself into a guide to direct them in the right path of development in both academic and social settings. By the method described above, I will continue to plan ahead in other activities in order to identify and assess each individual child’s needs and growth. Documentation and sharing observation

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To feel a sense of belonging, to be part of a larger endeavor, to share meanings-these are rights of everyone involved in educational process, whether teachers, children, or parents…… working in groups is essential. (Carlina Rinaldi, 1998) The process of observation also includes the use of documentation as well as constant monitoring of these results. The more observations documented, the more in-depth analysis and monitoring of the child can be achieved. Observations documented should always state what the child has achieved, and not what they are unable to do. In my case, all of the documented information is added to a child’s file, which will be reviewed and analysed over time to make meaningful observations about the child’s development. As well, the documented information is a record of the children’s development in different stages. In order to be on the same page and develop a healthy relationship with my coworkers and the child’s parents alike, I strive to show my daily observations through visual means that can be easily interpreted, such as photography and taking videos of the children before turning it into an anecdotal record. Sharing documented observations with families and co-workers not only can strengthen relationships as both sides focus on celebrating the child’s growth, but it can also inspire families to share more of their own observations with you, further enriching your own perspective on the process of learning for children. Together, we share how we have observed, how we have discussed, and how we have worked to reach the same goal. Sharing makes us more significant than we are, and the more we give to others, the more in life we can receive. How observation and documentation can help us in understanding of children

As mentioned above, observations as well as documentation can help us understand how to structure each day: setting up activities, the proper materials to provide, and the method in which we approach the child about various learning opportunities. Observation is a long-term process and should be shown as an accurate and detailed process that indicates the events we saw and heard throughout the day. As an Early Childhood Educator, we are able to broaden our understanding of each child’s knowledge, needs, interest, and skills simply by observing the child’s physical actions, expressions, gestures, and behaviours, as well as listening when they interact with others. Once we know their likes and dislikes and the way they learn through playing and interacting, we can then deduce areas where the child may be struggling with. All this information assists us in providing suitable opportunities that accommodate each child’s needs, and we will add information as such to our planning in order to further support each child’s development. These observations are also then documented to ensure that the child is at the expected stage of development, regardless of their developmental style. I am a Yoda from Star Wars. I am a Yoda from Star Wars. I know ABCs. I know ABCs. we take care of ladybugs together. we take care of ladybugs together. I am an artist. I am an artist. I am taking care of flowers. I am taking care of flowers.

Reflection on observing how children connect with the natural world As a child, one has that magical capacity to move among the many eras of the earth; to see the land as an animal does; to experience the sky from the perspective of a flower or a bee; to feel the earth quiver and breathe beneath; to know a hundred different smells of mud and listen unselfconsciously to the soughing of the trees. (Valerie Andrews, P107) In one’s childhood, the world is filled with beauty, joy, adventure, and companionship. Nature profoundly benefits children’s growth and development as children tend to view things in a different manner than that of an adult. Their world is more colorful; full of excitable things that they are curious about, may it be a walk in nature where they are able to stop and listen, watch, feel, as well as react to various small things that the outdoors can offer. Dogs barking in the distance; the chirping of birds; ants on the ground; the things that adults no longer notice in their daily living or hardly give a second glance to, once again renewed in the presence of a child. With them, adults are more aware of the things the child experiences, and thus both parties are benefitted from the experience. Children need nature to revive their playful spirits, regardless how small of a patch of grass they may play on, and in walking with these children in nature, we relearn how to dream, and the feeling of having no worries in life, all the while experiencing what it is like for small things to have significance, as well as the shamelessness in asking for help without fearing the opinions of others. “A child’s world is fresh, new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement (Rachel Carson)”. I would say that most children naturally wish to explore the world and spend ample time playing outdoors. However, they choose to engage their time, they interact with nature the way you would expect a child to: with eyes full of curiosity. Playing outdoors not only benefits them intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically, but also builds their character through exploration. We as adults should be patient and listen to children, offering them empathy, understanding, and respect just as we would to other adults, as children themselves can be wiser than we are in certain circumstances.

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References • Kylie Rymanowicz (April19, 2016), Michigan State University Extension : The importance of perspective taking for young children. • Rinaldi, C. 1998. Projected curriculum construction through documentation—Progettazione. In The hundred languages of children: The Reggio Emilia approach—Advanced reflections, 2nd ed., eds. C. Edwards, L. Gandini, & G. Forman, 114. Greenwich, CT: Ablex. • Valerie Andrews, A Passion for this Earth. • Rachel Carson, US marine biologist: Silent Spring Further References • All photographs are permitted by parents of MJMC daycare. • All other pictures and backgrounds are from online picture resource.

Assignment three

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