Monday, May 28, 2012

Module #4 – Observing and Interacting With Families of the Children in Your Setting


Module #4 – Observing and Interacting With Families of the Children in Your Setting
 

This past week during my observation at the Montessori Learning Centre, I spoke with the head teacher of my host classroom Sarah, the teacher’s assistant Jessica and Victoria, a teacher from another classroom.  When I arrived for my scheduled observation the classroom was outside playing.  Because this class is transitioning into their summer schedule they are spending more time outdoors than usual.  After greeting the children Sarah introduced me to Victoria, a teacher from another classroom.  My host teacher Sarah has been talking to the other teachers in the center about my research work.   When I arrived, Victoria, a teacher from one of the other classrooms asked me to discuss my research paper with her.  I was excited that these teachers were so interested in my research on childhood obesity. 

After explaining my areas of focus on childhood obesity to Victoria she explained that in her opinion one of the issues regarding childhood obesity is due in part to the restrictions and limits that have been put on our youth.  She also explained that she believes that these restrictions have caused a negative effect on the goals of raising a healthier generation of children.  Victoria used the example of removing vending machines from our junior and senior high schools.  She explained that if we totally control all the food that our children shouldn’t have, than in her opinion they are going to want it more.  Victoria explained that we need to educate our children about the types of food that our body needs on a daily basis to keep us healthy.  She also explained that foods like candy bars, cookies and chips are extras and should be used as “extras”.  These extras need to also have limits because they don’t fuel our bodies nor keep them healthy.  I asked Victoria what her thoughts were in regards to using these extras as rewards.  Victoria said that using foods as rewards gives the wrong focus on what food should be.  For example, if a child cleans their room we reward them with a candy bar.  Wow – my child would have the cleanest room in the house.  She would never want to eat her dinner either.  Victoria then explained, instead of a candy bar, what if we rewarded the clean room with an extra activity that the child enjoys doing.  For example, the reward could be an extra trip to the park or taking a bike ride after dinner.  This type of reward is not only rewarding for the parent but a healthy reward for the child as well.    

Victoria’s remarks were very insightful to my research.  I have been focusing my research on education, nutrition and physical activity and how they all relate to childhood obesity.  She had very firm opinions regarding education. 

I also was glad to see that my host classroom was spending more time outside.  I have observed this classroom for several weeks and the only gross motor skill development time that this class has is during their outside time.  Other centers that I have observed have gross motor time within their classroom or they have a separate room within the center that all the classes share for this skill development.  I believe that physical activity is a very important element that should be instilled in our children at a very young age. 

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Module #3 - Observing and Interacting With Program Director(s) and Other Administrative Staff in Your Setting


During my observations in the past two weeks I have talked with the program director of the Montessori Leaning Center in our town.  I have previously spoken with the director about my research topic of child obesity and the areas that I believe are of most concern.

When speaking with Emily the director, we discussed in detail her concerns for the quality of the food that is provided to their center.  She explained that their center has always had their meals catered.  When the center first opened the owners were focused on finding a caterer that could provide them with the lowest food cost.  After a few months and many complaints later the owners decided to look for a new caterer that provided a better quality of food, providing the children with fresh fruit and vegetable and healthier main course options. 

When observing in the preschool classroom the teacher Sarah mentioned that the teachers within the center we working on their summer curriculum and nutrition/healthy eating was a focus for the first couple weeks of the summer.  I was very encouraged to hear that the teachers were focusing on this type of education within their curriculum.  Sara also mentioned that they will be having a visit from a food program representative along with a member of the health department to give a presentation on the importance of healthy eating along with physical activity. 

While visiting a local school district I spoke with a teacher, Susan who works directly with children with special needs.  I have known Susan for several years and while discussing my educational goals I mentioned that I was writing a research paper on child obesity.  I asked her what were her thoughts are about this topic and what does she think is an area that is in the most need for advocacy.  To my surprise she said that physical education is an area that really needs a great deal of support and focus to better educate children, families and even school districts regarding the importance  of keeping physical education within our schools curriculum requirements for our state.  In her district PE is not an everyday option – she even explained that in some states PE is not in the daily curriculum.  I found this to be very interesting that PE is an optional part of curriculum.  Physical activity is very important to promoting a healthy lifestyle and if our children are not seeing this first had in their daily school lives where are they going to learn it?  Home is not always an educational option for healthy living nor physical activity.  This was great insight to learn as well as an area to add to my research.

During one of my observation visits this past week I observed 2 children leaving the center and walking over to a local gymnastics place that is located directly across the parking lot from the center in which I am observing.  I asked the director of the center where the children were going.  She explained that their center has partnered with this local gymnastics center to incorporate extra physical fitness into their daily curriculum to promote healthy lifestyles and physical activity.  I was quite impressed.  The center has a list of three different preschool classrooms that rotate to participate in group lessons and activities throughout the week.  The director explained that the fee for this extra activity is included into their tuition at no extra cost.  I found this to be a great perk as well as an advantage to this child care center. 

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Module #2 - Observing and Interacting with Professionals/Colleagues


During the past two weeks I have had the opportunity to observe in two different early childcare settings on four different days.  One of the early childcare settings is a Child Development Lab that is in connection with our local Community College.  The other childcare setting is called Montessori Children’s Center.  Both of my host classrooms have children that range in age from age three thru five. 

While at these two I had the opportunity to interview the teachers within the classrooms as well as interact with many of the children while I observed different learning experiences.

I had a great deal of time in the past two weeks to start gaining insights to my topic of childhood obesity.  While taking with one of early childhood teachers this week I was reminded just how important it is to do our best to set good examples and provide positive modeling experiences for our children. 

One morning while eating breakfast the children were encouraged to try all the foods on their plates.   At this particular center the children and teachers eat together and their food is served family style.  The children pass the food and are encouraged to put a little of everything on their plate.  This particular day one of the teachers did not put a banana on her plate.  One of the children had seen this and pointed out that if the teacher doesn’t have to than she doesn’t.  Well……in this case I believe that the child is correct.  The teacher even though she may not like the food should but a little on her plate, try the food setting a good example for the children. 

During the same breakfast one of the children had asked the teacher for seconds on her oatmeal.  The teacher asked the child how much she had taken on the first round, the child replied by saying a lot.  The teacher was quick to answer the child.  She told the child that since she had a large bowl to begin with, she believed that she should be satisfied with just the one bowl.  The child argued with the teacher and told the teacher that there was a lot left.  The teacher replied by telling her a story.  The teacher told the child that just because there is a whole loaf of bread on the counter that doesn’t mean that she should have more than one piece.  The teacher is trying to help the student understand how to recognize when they have had enough. Knowing when is enough is difficult for some children.
I thought that the teacher did a great job of telling this child that she didn’t need any more food without lecturing her about nutrition and the effects of overeating.  This particular child is overweight.  From personal experience it’s not a pleasant experience being an overweight child.  I appreciate the thoughtfulness of the teacher and her appreciation for the mental state of her student.