Looking for small wonders in a hectic chaotic existence. 

Meeting after meeting to try to strategize a new business plan for success. What can we do when we cannot find quality help?  

The beating of the same old drum, the same old message! Time to change tactics. I have been around long enough to see the cycles of business. Ready to change it up. How do I engage others to join me? 

My Wonder Teacher training has helped to move me to a position that quality is possible and that it can happen in places that are not physically beautiful but they need people to make it happen. 

I am fortunate to have a beautiful setting. Working to physically alter the environment with new paint and a gradual removal of things that were brought in during my 5-year absence. The process is slow. Building relationships is hard. Re-defining who I am and what I want professionally for children. 

Thankful to the Wonder Teacher Certification team, coaching and training. I have learned so much with more to learn. 

http://Sally the Puppet Talks about Going Back to School…g Safe – edit.mp4

Today I am commenting on reflective practice. What does reflective practice look like for an early childhood educator?

Some truths I have found:

All educators are required to be accountable. Accountability is based on stepping back and reflecting on why we do or do not do something. No one is required to answer on the spot however reflection is a mandatory part of the practice. 

There are many ways to reflect. Some educators, mainly introverts like to write in a journal, others might draw, or reflect through music. Still others, mainly extroverts are verbal and need to talk it out. Still the fact remains one must process for results.

The figure above is a good outline for considering one’s actions. Within this we can include specific items early childhood educators can reflect on. 

First reflect on relationships. Relationships with children, families, and colleagues. Always go directly to the source of your issue. Look to each other for assistance.  Reflect and get feedback without going to too many sources. Keep it simple.  

Look at your classroom environment, what do you want children to learn here. If there is a problem how has room arrangement contributed? Are the materials appropriate for the children in the group?

If you do not have a reflective practice, I encourage you to start today.

What will you reflect on today?

This is a throw back post to October 2019.

After spending three weeks in Alaska, I had a one day layover in Seattle, WA. I planned to visit my friend Rixa. Professionally, Rixa challenges me and I love to have conversation with her. She helps me re-awaken my passion for early childhood education every time we talk! 

While in Seattle, Rixa’s car was vandalized and my bag was stolen. Taken were my computer, iPad, iPod and other travel items. Most notably stolen was my reflection notebook ironically given to me by Rixa. The reflections contained within are priceless to me and now lost forever.

What lessons are there in being robbed twice in a 6-month time period?

I feel safe and loved in a time when my security is being challenged. Fortunately, nothing happened to me just my “stuff” is gone.

This event will force me to have specific times to be online. How my life will change without the convenience of my OWN laptop? Will I connect more with people or will it be harder for me?

Connecting with people with limited technology will be a challenge. Rather than replacing lost technological items, using a desktop at work and my phone for social media I can stay in touch. I commit to visiting people face to face! 

For now, I am grateful we are happy, healthy and safe. 

Update July 2020:

So much has changed. My experiment in not having a computer only lasted until Christmas when I received a new one. I was able to stay connected with a phone and desktop.

Technology was the avenue for connecting during the corona virus pandemic. Technology became a lifeline while we all #stayathome, #socialdistancing and #washyourhands.

My “aha” this week centered on my physical therapy. I am nearing the end of my sessions as my range of motion is just about normal in my shoulder.

What I found out during this process is I have “trained” my body to hold odd positions that are not healthy especially as I advance in age. All my years of holding infants/toddlers has caused me to turn my shoulders in and up. My years of bending over has caused my chin to fall slightly forward and out of good alignment. My core is weak as I use my arms, neck and shoulders to envelop children and I let my core slack. Would you notice these subtle things about my posture, probably not! Is it a good idea to correct these things, you bet! 

I am learning to correct my posture aka learning a new skill. I have experienced a range of emotions from frustration to anger and complacency. From raw emotion and tears to pride and joy in my accomplishments. Wow, I WONDER how I respect and honor children through this same pattern of learning new things?

The skills I see in my physical therapist are patience (I can set my pace with her guidance. She uses positivism, encouragement, team goal setting, perseverance, partner, relationship, and other skills specific to her role.

None of this is different for me working with a child. She helped me not only physically but in drawing a parallel between how she honored me as a learner and how I honor a child as a learner. 

What did you learn today?

I wonder why “we” are always telling children what to do!

Parents, teachers, even older siblings are telling younger children what to do and how to do it all day long. Also add in telling them what NOT to do all day long. Yikes, overkill! Additionally, we are always telling each other what to do and/or not do! 

Just because we work hard to phrase in the positive does not hide the message, it just sugar coats it. We are still telling a child what to do without including them.

Children need to be able to express themselves from birth. We must allow them to be in control. We need to relinquish control and observe the wonder of childhood. We need to be still and listen!  We need to stop talking unless we speak like we are talking to an intelligent person not an idiot. 

How will you interact with someone today? Will you listen or instruct?

This week my focus is on the use of the word “friend” in our classrooms.. It has taken over as a general term used when referring to the children. 

A few teachers decided to embrace looking at how the word is used, when it is used and if it is ever explained or used appropriately with young children.

How confused our children must be about what “friend” means. We say things like, “good morning, friend”, “I’d like my friends to clean up now”, “we don’t hit our friends”, “be kind to your friend”…..etc.  We do not explain the word “friend” or identify who we are actually talking about. I can picture little minds wondering who this “friend” is!

During our research we found the word is way overused and never explained. I know one teacher that still believes that children are her friends.  She does not want to give up “please, don’t hurt my friends”.  I wonder, are we really friends with a toddler? Is this the definition of a friend? 

Do any of us want to be told who are friends are or asked to be friends with someone that has hurt us or that we don’t like? I am suggesting that we all be kind but we don’t need to be friends!

Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to use children’s names?

I feel like I am able to share some of the knowledge I am learning through the Wonder Teacher Certification. Even though I am behind on the lessons and sometimes pop out of order to watch a training from Fairy Dust Teaching https://fairydustteaching.com/. I am trusting the process. 

Child directed learning (PLAY) is dependent on adults watching. Adults then need to add on to the learning in an unobtrusive way.

This week I watched for evidence of provocation in our classrooms and did not see much. It appears invitations are understood and materials are presented beautifully (or not). However child observation and thoughtful next steps are missing.

The time is now to support teachers, children and families in taking learning to the next level while we have this opportunity for brain building.

How can provoke you take learning to a higher level? 

I am now slightly more than half way through this series of Wonder Reflections for Wonder Teacher Certification.

While I was in the infant class I watched the teacher offer the infants 7-12 months of age a choice in which sunhat they wanted to wear to go outside. 

She held out one in each hand. Each child thoughtfully and deliberately chose a hat. I have never before offered a choice like this to an infant. I sat and watched watch each child’s process, it was so obvious to me that they were choosing.  

When following up with the teacher later, she reported that in her teacher research she has discovered that when the infants’ choose their own hat they keep in on their heads. 

I was so proud to witness the depth of teaching/learning that this educator offers. I am proud to learn from her and work side by side with her on occasion. Full of wonder at what our littles are capable of. Honored to work with an early educator that “gets it”!