In the Juniper room, we have the opportunity to
- Practice supporting transitions, such as mealtimes, nap times, and transitions between activities, etc.
- Learn how to establish positive relationships with children, fostering trust between us.
- Learn how to create a safe environment for the children inside and outdoors and arrange appropriate activities and materials.
- Practice managing conflicts, calming distressed children, and developing problem-solving skills.
- Practice effective communication with mentor and coworkers, and share information with each other about children’s situations.
- Practice providing appropriate activities that support children’s growth and learning, such as small hands-on activities.
Step by stey…
Let’s make a monster bag!
One afternoon, I provided some material for the children and invited them to make their own monster bags.
I demonstrate what a monster bag looks like and try to make these words less abstract for them. And tell the children they can make anything they want.
However, I was impressed…
I was impressed by their ability to mimic and their creativity.
And, of course, I was impressed by their capability.
Reflecting on this activity, I recognize that there are a lot of aspects where I can improve, such as fingering out what I want to leave after every activity rather than a random activity. Suppose I want to ensure that the children can think outside the box and create something unique for themselves rather than being confined to the example. How can I explain the idea without demonstrating it so the children won’t be trapped in my example? If I want to encourage them to make their own creations and explore different possibilities, I need to find ways to explain the idea behind the activity without using a demonstration.