The environment is the third teacher but is influenced by the classroom teacher's decisions.
I have seen ECE classrooms where children move as a unit from activity to activity, having what looks like identical experiences. For our youngest children, centers are extremely important and having the choice to pursue what interests them is critical.
Time to explore is required. One of the roles that a teacher must fulfill is to observe and listen to what children are doing and saying. These observations and the words of children need to be documented through photos, videos, and notes. Reggio Emilia schools do this through "documentation" and some others develop what is referred to as "Learning Stories". These observations and close listening to children's conversations along with documentation provide an avenue for teachers to think about what areas or additions to centers they should make. It helps them think about how to enrich the environment to further children's interests as well as what to put out as provocations that will push children's thinking.
As for children playing alone. There is much in the literature indicating that some children do not know how to enter a play situation in which other children are engaged. I applaud the description from Jack Elmo Wright on his skill in helping a child who appears to be a loner move into play with a prop (doll) and then onto playing with other children.
This is an interesting and important topic.
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Nora Krieger, PhD
Associate Professor Emerita/Past Chair NJEEPRE
Bloomfield College/NJ Educators Exploring the Practices of Reggio Emilia
Highland Park, NJ
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-22-2021 11:02 AM
From: Karen Lefkovitz
Subject: What is the Role of the Teacher in a Classroom with Learning Centers?
I would like to build on the many great ideas raised so far. Mellissa brought up a concern that was nagging at me: sometimes teachers take over child play, often because they feel they aren't doing any teaching if they don't engage at all times. Child to child relationships, developed by play and conversations (verbal and non-verbal) are every bit as important as child to adult relationships. We can feel great when we have set up our environment so successfully that we are not needed for a period of time. I used to keep a clipboard and pencil handy. When I saw an opportunity to step aside, I would write notes on what I saw, and even try to capture full conversations between children. Looking back over these notes, I was astounded by the complexity: I could see how an idea developed and changed, which children were driving innovation, which children became interested or disinterested as the play evolved, what vocabulary was being used or missed. What I learned about the relationships and interests that I culled from my notes allowed me to plan organically for new experiences, as well as to think about how to support child to child relationships.
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Karen Lefkovitz
Independent Consultant
Philadelphia PA
Original Message:
Sent: 09-21-2021 04:02 PM
From: Melissa Tsuei
Subject: What is the Role of the Teacher in a Classroom with Learning Centers?
Thank you for this wonderful topic and the equally awesome responses! I would add here that centers time can be a robust support for trauma-informed care and trauma awareness in education. First, centers offer naturalistic play settings where children can engage in truly self-directed activities. Unlike other times where we actively direct the action, we can see the ways children genuinely approach learning and peers. As educators or child-carers, we can use this time to deeply observe the children in the classroom. Are there patterns in the way they interact with materials? What does a child's play teach me about their home life, background, beliefs and family? How do I interpret their social interactions? How might I interpret them differently, using a different lens? How can I really settle into my role as facilitator and know when to push in and when to exit play?
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Melissa Tsuei
Manager, Outreach
People's Emergency Center, Action for Early Learning
Upper Darby PA
Original Message:
Sent: 09-18-2021 04:21 PM
From: Edna Brown
Subject: What is the Role of the Teacher in a Classroom with Learning Centers?
From my viewpoint I think the teacher's Role is to plan, develop, and manage learning centers that are age appropriate and based on the children's level of development. Also the teacher's role should be to guide the children and give them positive reinforcement. What are your thoughts on this topic?
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Edna Brown
Lancaster CA
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