Lost In The Translation

Thank goodness I speak 'Preschooler'. Sometimes what little ones do and say don't quite match. Getting to truly know each child is the main goal of mine whenever they are with me.
Of course yelling and throwing slobbery fits is not an effective way of communication. But being angry or sad because you miss a parent is understandable.
I do a lot of dictation with little ones. When emotions get lost in the translation I'll ask them when they are calm if we can write a story or a letter about what they are feeling. In every case the children prefer to hold their special letter throughout the day. They play, laugh, join circle times and then happily deliver the letter to the family member.
I guess sometimes having someone to listen to your feelings really does validate them. Sometimes all we need is to know someone cares.

Language Development in Early Childhood Education

"The cure for boredom is curiosity. 

There is no cure for curiosity."

~Dorothy Parker

Kids inquire many questions of us big people…. But do we as adults challenge kids with questions?

I am not talking of the usual eight plus three, or the capitol of Alaska scenario… oh-no, no, no. I mean questions only ‘they’ can answer….which means the asker’s job is to listen.
I do this every now and then at circle times for language development...or when things get a little too quiet.
The children sometimes have answered these questions in silly, humorous, logical or very thought provoking way. I leave it up to them.
Being preschoolers….I’ll ask whatever comes to mind....you know, improvise. I may even amuse myself.
Here are some examples of questions we have come up with over the years.

Great Language Development Questions 
That Will Really Get Kids Thinking;
“What sound does a goldfish make?”
“Why does your nose run and your feet smell?”
“Who turns on the light when you open the refrigerator?”
“If a carrot is orange why don’t we call it an orange?”
“Where does baby oil come from?”
“Where do teachers sleep?”

Most kids will actually answer you…and will keep elaborating if you ask more questions.....

Becoming Who You Are

"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are."
~e.e. cummings

I’m sure we all ask kids what or who they want to be when they grow up. I also watch their pretend play within the classroom. I delve as deeply as I can into their world…I ask questions, write them down, and read them back to the children. Kids love this…here are some thing they have said when I asked who they ‘will’ be when they grow up….as time goes on I’ll ask them the same question throughout the year…I noticed no one talked about pop singers, movie stars, or models...just their families. As kids get older I notice this changes sometimes.....

“I am gonna be a podiatrist. A-cuz (because) we already have a doctor in our family and my sissy is gonna be a lawyer.” (Child age four)

“I will be a mommy because I love little babies and I love my daddy and…um, I don’t want to change stinky diapers, though.” (Child age four)

“I want to be a nurse and a ballerina and a doctor. All that because I love to dance and take kids to the doctor but I don’t like to see kids sick or mommy or daddy sick.” (Child age four)

“I want to go to a big school like my brother. My dad goes to work. I don’t have a mommy. My daddy works a lot and cooks food and I like to help and go to my school. I love my daddy and my brother.” (Child age four)