We have had a new baby start with us in our centre. She is three months old and has created a lot of interest from the toddlers. This is the youngest baby that we have had with us for a while.
The toddlers have been watching us as we wrap and feed the baby. They are very helpful when baby is being winded, and laugh so much when they hear her burp. They come with us as we place her in her cot for her sleep. The toddlers listen as I tell the baby sleep tight and then give her a kiss . When she is upset and crying I tell the toddlers that she is letting me know that she is hungry, or that she is tired. I also share that maybe she would just like a cuddle and some love. This has sparked a renewed interest in the family corner. Several toddlers are constantly bringing the teachers dolls and teddies and wanting them wrapt in a blanket just like the baby. This is an example of "real experiences to make social studies come alive for children."(Scholl. 2005,p.1).
This has prompted us to look at the family corner and to make available to the toddlers more resources that are relating to their interest in babies. We have made made sure that we have plenty of blankets and baby bottles. There are prams, baby baths,cots and cradles.The toddlers are using dolls and soft toys to wrap. "Adult behaviours that will help to support the development of caring and co-operative relationships in babies and toddlers are those that show babies and toddlers that adults care and respond to others." (McNaughton & Williams,2009, p.231).
I have been observing and supporting the toddlers play as they bath, feed, wrap and cuddle their babies. This includes role modelling for the toddlers by using language that is showing empathy and a caring attitude towards their babies. As teachers we can encourage the interests that the toddlers show. We are able to demonstrate concern for the toddlers, babies and their feelings.
"Children develop theories about social relationships and social concepts, such as friendship, authority, and social rules and understandings."(Ministry of Education, 1996, p.90). As Mindes,2006 informs us that "the school experience is crucial to developing children's social behaviours and values."(p.110)
Wow! It sounds like your new baby has given your toddlers great ideas of how to care for others. It sounds very good. I am glad to hear that the toddlers have role modeled from the teachers how to care for babies. It sounds like the toddlers are becoming more aware of how to care for others/babies. I think that the toddlers can learn to build effective relationships too. It is wonderful that you can role model to the toddlers how they need to take of babies and others.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your entry Catherine the babies at your centre sound like they are really in fascinated in the new baby. I think it’s great that the toddlers are imitating caring for the baby. It is great that you are able to adapt your family corner to suit the interest of the toddlers this is a perfect example of notice, recognising, and responding to children’s interests. It’s funny how the toddlers are so interested in the baby’s routines such as feeding or tied when the toddlers have probably only just mastering these skills themselves. This story also shows the significant influence adults can have on very young children lives such as learning about other people’s roles and responsibilities.
ReplyDeleteThe toddlers are so cute :) Also we can see that children learn very quick and they just copy from what do we everyday. Thanks for extending interests in 'babies' (even they are not too old from them)
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