Read through the following scenarios and then answer the questions below. Think about the unique ways the children are communicating and how you might respond as preschool teacher. Share your responses with your trainer, coach or administrator.
You recently became a preschool teacher. Before you started, your administrator asked that you spend time observing for a day in another preschool class to take note of the interaction between teachers and the families and children. You are very excited about the suggestion and begin right away. The list below highlights some of your observations:
- During drop off, you hear a mother sing a nursery rhyme with her 4-year-old daugter. She sings, “One two, buckle my…” and then her daughter sings, “Shoe!”
- A teacher is sitting with the children at lunch. The teacher sees a 3-year-old reaching for the water pticher looking frustrated because he can not reach it. She asks the child, “Would you like the water pitcher, Ben?” He nods and then she suggests, “Why don’t you ask Briana if she could please pass the water pitcher?” Ben turns to Briana and says, “Please pass the water.”
- A new child who is 5-years-old is sitting next to the door saying, “I want to go home.” Her father just left. The teacher is sitting next to her, saying, “You seem very sad. Your daddy will be back right after nap.” The teacher shows her the daily schedule with pictures and points to when nap is scheduled. The teacher then asks her if she would like to write her father a note. The child nods and smiles at her teacher.
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What communication and language skills did you see and hear?
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How were the children’s communication efforts being acknowledged and responded to by their teacher?
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Would you do anything differently? What experiences might you offer?
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