Mixed Ages
What We Saw: A teacher asks
a child, "Can we change your diaper?" He is pushing
a wooden train on a track. She says to him, "Do you
want to take your train with you?" He is reluctant to
leave. She says, "Do you want a teacher to hold your
train for you?" He reluctantly lets the other teacher
take the train. While she changes him she talks about
what she is doing. He looks anxiously towards his train
and the teacher reassures him that his train is waiting
for him. After he is changed the teacher reminds him
to wash his hands. She helps the child to get soap from
the dispenser and then squats down to wash her own hands
while he is washing his. He has trouble pulling out
the paper towel. She gets them unstuck, pulling one
out for herself and encourages him to get one for himself.
A little piece tears off in his hands. She says, "Pull
hard. There you go! Good job!" He grins and returns
to his train.
What It Means: In a developmentally
appropriate classroom, teachers provide a balance
between a toddler's conflicting needs for security and
independence. When teachers respond to toddlers' attempts
to become independent by allowing them to make simple
choices and to do things for themselves they are being
supportive of developmental needs. Sensitive teachers
recognize that routines such as diapering/toileting
make up much of the toddler's day and are therefore
good opportunities for learning.
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