Observing Communication

Observing Communication

Observation is a unique way to learn more about a child’s needs and what a child lacks.  Observation is also a good way to understand how children think, how children respond, and how children communicate with others including adults.  Every word and every action will not be said or done perfect as we expect them to be but if we open our eyes as well as our ears and look through the eyes of a child and listen with those same childlike ears we will be able to get a better grasp of a child’s conversation.

I had the perfect opportunity to observe the Head Start orientation this past week.  As you can imagine many tears were flowing not only from the children but from some parents as well.  This was their first experience with formal education and to say the least, this experience was overwhelming for many.  Each family set in a small group and they began to introduce themselves to the others in the circle.  Both teachers value small group activities as ideal opportunities to talk with and listen to children.  They intentionally plan activities that encourage not only conversation but also thinking.  They set up conditions and activities that give children concrete experiences and require their participation (Rainer & Durden, 2010).  The teacher announced the first time around everyone would say just their name in the good morning song.  The second time around the parents would use one word to describe their child but it had to start with the same letter in their child’s first name.  Confusing, but interesting!  This activity brought ease to the atmosphere and what was supposed to be an icebreaker ended up taking pretty much the time.

Then it was picture time as this is where I felt the parents were engaged in making sure their child knew they belong in this classroom and this was their classroom.  Every parent and grandparent went before their child and the children had an opportunity to push the button on the camera to take the picture of their parent.  One of little boy told his mom, “Take that frown off your face.  Your picture is going to be ugly.”  The mom grab a kleenex, wiped her eyes, and smiled from ear to ear.  The little boy responded, “That’s more like it mom!”  Every time a new parent approached the camera their smile had been practiced over and over again.  I’m sure the message was understood well.

References

Rainer Dangei, J., & Durden, T. R. (2010). The nature of teacher talk during small group activities. YC: Young Children, 65(1), 74-81. Retrieved from the Walden Library using the Education Research Complete database.