During the past couple of weeks I have noticed one of the classrooms in my center having more incident/boo-boo reports than other rooms. I went in and did a classroom observation. I observed the children continually having free choice time (Center time). The teacher and I then met to see if we could make a plan for her classroom. I told her I noticed she was stressed out from the behaviors occurring in her class. I asked if there was anything I could do to help. She said no it was just the children. I explained what I had seen during my observation. I told her that I believed the more activities planned throughout the course of the day would help get rid of any challenging behaviors she was experiencing. I could see by her body language how resistant to my ideas she was. I then explained the benefits of actually planning her week ahead of time, being prepared ahead of time, not having the children sitting and waiting, and planning several activities during the day. I asked for her thoughts. She told me she believed that children learn through exploration of the environment and should be free to make their own choices. I agreed with her, however, I did explain that it was ok for us to enhance our room so the children would have even more choices. She was a bit hesitant, but she agreed to try it for 2 weeks and then sit down with me to reevaluate. We have just finished week 1. There have been less reports. I hope she realizes this is working. I look forward to hearing her thoughts after the two week period is up.
I think that expressing why I felt a certain way is important. Would anyone have done anything differently? Thoughts?
Christina,
ReplyDeleteOf course expressing your feelings towards something is very important; especially in this situation. I think that you handled the situation well considering you were respectful and listened to her reason for why she has not been planning activities. I think I would have done the same thing you did; communicated about the problem and suggested solutions. However, I would have given her some ideas on additional activities that she could use in the classroom. I think helping her out in that area would eliminate some of the stress that she already has. Hopefully, she will notice that planning ahead of time is very helpful and less stressful. I wish her the best of luck!
Latasha
Christina,
ReplyDeleteI think that you did a great job expressing why you felt the way that you did. First of all, an over-abundance of injuries creates issues and concerns with parents. I know at my school, when we have injuries we have to feel out a log and it has to be signed by our principal and if it is a bump on the head, it has to go to our superintendent of our school system to be reviewed and signed. So, I would think that a visit to the classroom where you can observe what is happening and a conference with the teacher would be a must. I do think that you handled this situation very well and that you did not come across angry or demanding, but concerned and helpful. I hope that this teacher responds to your ideas. There are plenty of ways that your children can make choices and explore, but they are children and they need that guidance and direction in their lives.Thanks for sharing!
Christina,
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great job with this situation. I have had very similar situations at our center. We have had teacher who expect children to sit and wait for an absurdly amount of time. Trying to explain to them that this is not developmentally appropriate and is the root to many of their classroom management issues is sometimes met with a rolling of the eyes, but when they begin to use the strategies we share with them they are amazed at the difference it makes in their classrooms.
Crystal
Hello Christina,
ReplyDeleteI think that you did an excellent job. Due to your observation and advice, now there is less reports. She might not see less reports for week 1, but I bet you that eventually she will start to notice it even if it takes her a while to realize it. I like the way you agreed with her that children learn through exploration of the environment and should be free to make their own choices; however, you did explain that it was ok for us to enhance our room so the children would have even more choices. Thanks for sharing. Great Post!
LaCasa Mosby