Reflection 2 - Establising and maintaining relationships with children

STOP

On the 16^th of August I started my work experience at Fatugatiti Pre School. There are more than 30 children. It divided into three groups which are infants, toddlers and young children. I started at babies areas; it’s a new experience for me. At toddlers and young children’s area it’s quite interesting. Everyday always begin with a prayer, sing both Samoa and New Zealand national anthem. Three children hold Samoa and New Zealand flags and one child conduct the song. At mat time they form a big circle where they telling stories, sing songs, playing games and so on. There’s lots of music and movement occur. I started to build my relationship with the children by helping them what area they need help. I set activities for them like paintings, drawings and cut out images from magazine and newspapers to stick on their piece of paper.  At the play dough table I showed and teach them different ways to explore the play dough. I teach them how to use different equipments like knives and cater to cut the play dough so that they can create different shapes and sizes from it. There is a one child who is a special need I had a good relationship with him. He can’t speak nor hear anything.  He is a lovely boy. Every morning I went to work he always gives me a smile. If he wants to drink, eat he came grabbed my hand and take me where his lunch box is. He likes to join to a table where young children are. I did an activity about the child’s interest. I sat down at the art table and had eight children joined me. I grabbed tools for painting while the children were waiting. I asked them what they want to do and each child came up with an idea of what they are interested in. Each child picked up a paint brush placed it in the ballet where a variety of colours were and started to paint on their cubic design. As we painted a lot of children came around because they wanted to join us while we are painting. I helped the children paint their desired picture by showing them how to use the brushes and paint in different ways. I also helped other children that struggled with this activity. I communicated with the children by observing, talking and their physical actions. I also communicated with them through conversation.

THINK

The relationship between teacher and child is a real important bond if not the most important relationship in an early childhood environment. “Interaction provides a rich social world for children to make sense of and gives opportunities for them to learn by trying out their ideas with adults and other children” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p.43). Building relationships with children for me has been a very successful learning experience. I have faced many challenges while teaching the children but I would have to admit it has only made me understand more about each child individually. Observing and relating to children has helped me to gain more knowledge about each child and I have been able to identify the unique differences each child brings to the early childhood centre. Being a new face within my early childhood centre has not been a problem. Reason being is because I have been able to participate and contribute as much as I could to every activity that is done. This has helped the children become more familiar with me and has given them a sense of comfort when I am around them. Being able to build and build on my relationships with the children is not only important for me but more important for the children as this helps us as caregivers and teachers to identify strengths and weaknesses for each child. This is a major factor in helping a child with their learning and development. Having children being able to share and communicate with me on a personal level has been a welcoming experience and helps me as a new member to a early childhood family learn as much as I can, develop my attributes and help me build a character that could help children reach their full potential.

CHANGE

To help the children reach their full potential I know that there are many improvements and changes I would need to do to help them achieve this. Introducing more activities where we can identify more differences between children and see their strengths and weaknesses. By ensuring this we are able to adapt to make use of every child's ability. Having more one on one time with each child helps establish a strong relationship individually which will help the child feel safe and comfortable about discussing any issue with the teacher.

Most importantly upgrading my skills and knowledge by going back to school will also help me understand and become more aware of children and their needs so that they may have further progress and development for their learning which will ultimately help them with preparation for primary school.