As I reflect back on my response, I would not particularly change what I have said, I would more so add a perspective.
Having worked with the infant and toddler age group, and personally having gone through the steps of dropping off, I always thought that having this perspective was correct, as I have originally written in my response. But as I reflect, I need to consider the teacher's perspective and give credit to the teacher. We as teachers try so hard to build and maintain the relationship between each individual child. I suspect now that the good-bye not only went good because of the steps that the father has taken, but I believe that the relationship the teacher has constantly strived for is beginning to be shown in this instance. For the second part of the question, the father did the little actions to communicate to his baby that this is the transition, that he is leaving, but we also need to consider the teacher's perspective. In such a busy morning of setting up, and getting the classroom ready, and having to welcome in the other babies that are probably having a difficult time as well, the teacher stopped whatever she was doing and she took the time to receive Laura, which were also acts of trust that is communicated to Laura. Laura kissing her dad, was an assurance that Laura was ready to leave her dad, and she was ready for Ivetta to receive her. Laura initiated this kiss, which to me now thinks that this baby has trust for her teacher, she's ready for Ivetta, she trusts her enough to leave her dad, Ivetta and Laura has a relationship. Now, Laura may not be fully adjusted but she definitely has trust for her teacher. What her teacher is doing is all intentional for the building of the relationship between her and Laura, and possibly between whatever other children she takes the time to relate to.
My response is very reflective on what Laura notices inside of the mirror. But to further examine this instance, I still feel that she does not recognize her self, though she is beginning to. She notices her reflection, and she is breaking down and examining each part of her body, such as when she moves her arm, the arm in the mirror moves as well. But as I further think of this instance, I think of what I do in the mirror, sometimes I look in the mirror to compare myself to what I see on others. So, now I think that Laura is looking in the mirror to notice that "hey I have this thing on my body that is just like the lady who carries me." She may also look in the mirror to perfect her performance, as do I at times when I look in the mirror to exercise. Laura may eventually want to pick up a ball, that she can't seem to grasp, but as she reflects in the mirror she can see the actions she is doing, and it assures her if she is doing it right or not.
As I read this response compared to my past response, I notice that I am continually reflecting how me as a person uses things in compared to me as a teacher. Sometimes I do not actually take the time to step back and reflect on how really the things I am using actually can be used.
Saying goodbye can be such a hard time for some children, and quite easy for others. Like you said, Laura has obviously developed a trusting relationship with her teacher. This relationship could have been developed in many ways, but Laura has obviously learned that saying goodbye to her Dad does not mean saying goodbye forever. She has figured out that even though she is being dropped of at school, she never stays here forever....its just temporary until her Mom or Dad come back. Laura trusts her parents to return, and she trusts that nothing bad is going to happen while she is at the center. These early years in a child's life are about so much more than just learning book smarts. These children are developing life skills that will be with them for the rest of their lives. Trust is a major component of healthy relationships and the fact that Laura is getting the opportunity to develop trust is wonderful. She seems to be developing relationships based on trust already, which is a great way to start out the early years!
ReplyDeleteHi Jadelynn,
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to see how your thoughts are expanding. What do you think influenced the expansion? Is there something in the texts, blogs, or documentation experience that have challenged how you are thinking? As the semester has passed, how has your image of the child and teacher expanded? Does this directly relate to how you have developed your blogs and responses? How might this experience now influence your practice?
Cheers,
Jeanne
Originally, I hadn’t thought about the actions of the teacher being a factor in Laura’s readiness to separate from dad. Indeed, a child learns how to adjust to different situations with the help of all those she is surrounded by. Like you said, “Ivetta and Laura has a relationship,” a relationship that allows Laura to feel comfortable with another adult so much so that she is able to say goodbye to dad for the dad. I’m glad to see that you were able to bring this perspective out through your reflection of your previous response. How has or will this new understanding and acknowledgement help you shape who you are in a child’s life? How can knowing this affect a teacher’s response to a child and parent’s morning separations?
ReplyDeleteI really like your opening statement about how you would not change your response but instead add to it. I think that that is something that we can take into our vision as a teacher. Rather than taking this new knowledge that we have been learning over the past fifteen weeks and trying to change our whole vision, instead would it not be more effective to take what we have learned and use it to further mold and shape our vision? Do you feel that you view children as capable learners more so now that you have taken this course?
ReplyDeleteHey Jade!
ReplyDeleteYesss, I would have never thought of giving credit to the teacher, especially as a teacher myself and working with other teachers. It becomes natural to us. Thinking about it now, I too agree that the teacher does deserve just as much credit. I agree that mornings are rather hectic. Children are entering the classroom constantly and that specific teacher dropped everything she was doing that morning to go over and make sure Laura had a good transition into the classroom. As a teacher I really should give more credit to my fellow teachers I work with, they work just as hard as I do, and sometimes I don't appreciate them as much as I should in my life and at work.