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.