I observed my assistant with a student when they came back from lunch. This student had not made good choices in the hallway while they were walking. There are classes going on in this hallway and our expectations are that the children are quiet and respectful when walking down this hallway. On this particular day, one of my students was talking loudly and pushing another friend to hurry up. The student ended up falling down because of the pushing. My assistant pulled both students out of line and asked the one who fell down if he was ok, what had happened, drying his tears, and checking his knees out for bumps. My assistant then asked the other student what happened and he just shrugged his shoulders. She asked him to look at his friend's face for a clue. She asked, "Does he look happy?" The other little boy said, "No." She said, "Does he look sad?" The other little boy nodded his head yes. She then asked him what might have made him sad. Still the little boy just shrugged his shoulders. Then she asked "Do you think falling down and hurting his knees might have made him sad?" This time the other little boy said yes. She asked him if there was anything he could do to help him feel better and he said, "I could say I'm sorry." She agreed and asked if there was anything else. He was not sure so she commented on how that was a good choice. The little boy said, "I am sorry I pushed you down." The other little boy just kind of looked at him at first but then he said, "It's ok."
I think my assistant handled the situation well. She was down on their level and talked to both of them. She asked questions which was also a good idea. The little boy that did the pushing has been having these little incidents for a few weeks now and I ended up talking to mom about them. There are some issues going on at home so it's obviously effecting him as well.
We both get down on their levels to talk to our children. We like to engage in conversations with them and ask questions to encourage their thought process and how they see things. Not every child will come up with the same answers and it's interesting to see them think things through. I know we both can continue working on this because there are days that kids are having issues or problems and sometimes we step in and solve it for them. I need to stop and remember that because I don't want the children to get used to us solving their problems.
Lori,
ReplyDeleteI also think that the situation was handled appropriately. I am a fairly tall woman and I have to remind myself to bend down to the level of children when I am communicating with them. I sometimes forget that it may be intimidating to be twice the height of a typical preschooler. Thanks for sharing your insight!
Lori,
ReplyDeleteI think it is an effective technique to lead children to say things that lead them to the solutions. I also believe that children will sense how serious adults are. So I think we need to show our seriousness even when we choose to be polite and keep a warm atmosphere. I also think bending down to the children’s level is very important because I think it functions as a symbol to children that teachers see them respectfully.
Aya
Lori,
ReplyDeleteI love how your assistant guided the children into solving their own issues. She has great problem-solving skills. It's great that you were able to step back and listen and see things from another perspective. Asking questions is always better than just assuming something. Great Job!
Lori,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great observation that you made with the students and the teacher. I love how she did not tell the child what to say, instead she gave clues and made the child dig deeper into his own thinking and problem solving skills. I also like when teachers and adults get on a child's eye level. I see a lot of teachers who look down when they are talking to a child or the child is looking uo. I also hate to see teachers sitting in adult size chairs and the students are sitting on the floor, especially during reading time. I feel that it is inappropriate and disrespectful. I love the fact that you all are practicing postive instruction and guidance when it comes to young children.
Good Job!