Since my last post I have started working at a new childcare center. I’m a lead teacher in a classroom of 7, soon to be 9, infants that range in ages from 4 – 14 months. I work with four teaching assistants who come into and leave the class throughout the day. The center… Continue reading The Two Most Important Words When Changing Diapers: SLOW DOWN
Last week I shared that I presented with a co-worker on Graphic representation and Sensitive observation. For me to prepare for the presentation I needed to collect data. So a few weeks before the conference I started putting out more drawing experiences for the children. In the afternoons, I would sit down at a… Continue reading Art and the Power of Observation
I dressed up as a salmon for Halloween and my boyfriend was a fisherman. He’s an avid angler in real life and mostly fishes for salmon, so I thought it was pretty funny. I worked really hard cutting out felt scales and gluing them onto the t-shirt I got. After I finished my project, I… Continue reading What does our touch say?
“Our method, guided by respect for the infant’s competence, is observation. We observe carefully to understand the infant’s communications and his needs. The more we observe, the more we understand and appreciate the enormous amount and speed of learning that happens during the first two or three years of life. We become more humble,… Continue reading Observation: how we learn who a child really is
“If someone were to walk in on a scientist on the verge of discovering the secrets of the universe, would it occur to that person to interrupt with an inconsequential comment about the weather, or the new shoes she just bought? No, the scientist is doing very important research; and if interruption were necessary, an… Continue reading THINK…before interupting a child at play
Magda Gerber split the quality time we have with children into two categories: wants nothing and wants something. Wants nothing quality time: “That’s when the parent doesn’t want to do anything with the child, has no plans other than wanting to simply be with the child.” (Gerber, 16). This is when you are sitting,… Continue reading “Wants Nothing” and “Wants Something” Quailty Time
I can recall times when I’ve observed a child at play and my thoughts start to wonder. Just recently I remember thinking, “oh I need to call to make a hair appointment. I really want to get my haircut.” Before I even knew it, I’m looking at and playing with my hair. Instead of watching the… Continue reading Quality time: giving our full attention
After taking the RIE foundations course (if you’re interested in learning more about it or taking the course check out the website for more information) a saying that played over and over in my brain was SLOW DOWN. There are days and times when I listen and I do slow down but then there are… Continue reading Toddlers and Sunscreen: who knew it could be a great combo?!
Advocate for Infants 