It was very interesting and fun observing in the
Pre-k classroom. The children are very active and hav e a lot of energy. I also
feel like they were showing off because I was in the room observing. The
teacher stated to me “they don’t usually act like this”. The children were
doing silly things, and the teacher had to repeat herself a few times before
they would listen. Some important things that I observed is that the parents
didn’t really come into the classrooms to speak with the teachers. They dropped
the kids off, signed them in and left right away. During pick-up at 12:00pm,
the parents came in the front door, signed them out and the teachers sent the
children to them. I also noticed that the teachers didn’t encourage
conversation. The children would ask the teachers questions or tell them
something and the teachers would give them short answers and walk away. For
example, one of the children said “Yesterday I went to the doctor”, the teacher
said “oh really” and continued what she was doing. I felt so bad for the child
because you can tell he really wanted to tell the teacher about his experience.
I also observed a little in the kitchen to observe
food prep. I also interviewed the cook. One thing she told me that I was
pleased with is “All of our food is purchased from local vendors and I cook it
onsite, we usually purchase fresh fruits and vegetables”. I thought that was
great. I also looked at their menu and they didn’t have any cookies, juice, or
anything processed besides breads or crackers. The cook also stated that she
doesn’t really use any butters, oils, or added spices or salt. The cook was
clean and seemed to be very sanitary, wore a hair net, gloves and constantly
sanitized and cleaned her cabinet. Before she served the food, she took the
temp and covered the food before bringing it to the room. The teachers also did
a good job of encouraging the children to eat and try everything.
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteI sounds like you had an interesting experience when you observed in the classroom. Did you ask the teacher why the parents did not come into the classroom to drop off their chidlren and speak with the teacher? What kind of program was this a Head Start, in a school, or a private center? It sounds as if the teacher was not doing an active listening if she only replied "oh really" to the child who went to the doctor. Maye talking to the teacher to find out about her communication expectations from the parents and children might be effective.
It is great that the cook purchases everything local, this is important for me also. We have a cook who cooks on site and it makes a big difference. As director I can also monitor the conditions in the kitchen and the quality of the food prepared.
I would have liked to learn a little more about the program curriculum in the classroom. I understand that teachers are busy with making sure the students gain the information required according to the state and nationally. but where does her teachable moments come into action. The student told her of his experience going to the doctor but she could have asked him questions like "oh really, is everything ok. what did you feel like see the doctor, and so on. This conversation could have played a role in the lesson being taught for that particular way some how I believe.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to see that the cook was more open to sharing facts about her job and what that was a good thing the teacher encouraged the students to try everything because we all know it may look strange but taste great.
It is good to know that schools are doing what they can to encourage healthy eating. It is also good to hear that they are using fresh fruits and vegetables and encouraging students to try different foods. I am currently doing my advocacy on childhood obesity. I never thought to interview the cook aide at the center that I currently work for. That was a very thoughtful idea. Did the students seem to enjoy the foods that they were eating? Does she use any seasonings or herbs to make the food more tasteful for students?
ReplyDeleteLaTherese, the children did seem to enjoy the fruits and they either ate all their vegetables or tried them. As far as I know, the cook doesn't use any seasoning, which I felt was good.
ReplyDeleteDid you observe the children eating? Just wondering if they ate that nutritious food as many children do not like fresh fruit or vegetables. Also, there are some early childhood programs that actually weigh children monthly - does this site do that?
ReplyDeleteTracy,
ReplyDeleteDid the teachers get to eat the food with the children? When I worked at a daycare, we were able to eat the same food that the cook prepared for the children. I feel that it helped model the appropriate way to eat as well as show the kids that the food must be good if the teacher was eating it. The children look up to their teachers as role models and tend to imitate them.
Did you ask the teacher why she didn't engage in communication with the child or the parents?
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteI think children over react when someone new is in the classroom,they want to be noticed. The teacher should know what to do to regain their attention. It is sad that thne teacher did not pay attention to the little girl that was talking to her about her expirience when she visited the doctor. As teachers we need to be a role model for our students, we must listen to them and anything they say to us,it is very important. The teacher should have asked her student more questions to show the child she was interested in what she wa explaining to her.
This sounds very much like my preschool classroom. The parents barely walk in the door both at drop off and pick up. If Iwantto talk to them then I have to stop what I am doing and walk up to them before they leave. It is very frustrating because you can't leave 20 preschoolers on carpet everytime you want to talk to a parent and with the various schedules that we have it is hard. If everyone came at the same time then it would be easier. It sounds like the cook follows a lot of the USDA guidelines and doesn't add any extras that are not necessary. Our food is pretty bland too especially the vegies. Sometimes I wonder if we did add a little butter and salt if the children would eat it better. Which way would be more beneficial?? It is a hard call expecially when talking about childhood obesity.
ReplyDeleteIt's to bad that the teachers didn't encourage conversation with the parents. I have found that talking to parents about thier child is the first step to building a positive relationship with them. They seem to trust you more quickly and are more likely to open up and share important information about thier child or the family. I also think the children see the relationship thier teacher has with thier parents and if thier parents trust you, then the child is more likely to feel safe in his/her school environment. Sometimes teachers get so busy trying to get through the day they lose sight of what's really important and that's relationships.
ReplyDeleteIt is too bad about the teachers not engaging in conversation much with the children or at all with the parents. I wonder if they have regular parent-teacher meetings so that there can be a home/school connection. This would also help with any concerns that the teachers might have with regard to the child's nutrition. If the parents and teachers can sit down and meet, the parents might ask some insightful questions about what their child should be eating on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteAnother thought, maybe the children were "acting up" in the classroom because they are seeking much needed attention. Since the teachers are not engaging with them, they might see you as an opportunity to talk about their trip to the doctor or a trip to the grocery store.
Hello Tracy,wow your observation went very well. It is good to know that the cook do not use ingrediants that they children should stay away from. Also, the cook is very clean when it comes to serving children. It is important that she wear the hair net and gloves when serving because of safety issues. A child's total diet and activity level play an important role in determining a child's weight. It seemed that this school is doing everything that they can to make sure that the children stay healthy.
ReplyDelete