Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Call by name...

    Posted 07-12-2020 10:04 PM
    Hello!
    I am trying to find a info or point of view about we as  teachers calling our students by either "their nick names or short name" is that good? Is bad? What do you think?

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    Gabriela Rdz
    In The Beginning
    IN
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  • 2.  RE: Call by name...

    Posted 07-13-2020 11:03 AM
    Hi Gabriela,
    I think it is fine, unless the parents or child do not like the shortening of their names. Ask the parents if their children like to be called by a nickname or shortened name. If so, by all means call them by their nickname. 

    I prefer Jennifer unless the person is a close friend or family member. Friends and family can call me Jenny or Jen. 

    I just think Jennifer is a younger-sounding name and seems more professional than it's nicknames.

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    Jennifer Illinois
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  • 3.  RE: Call by name...

    Posted 07-14-2020 01:03 AM
    I think it's best to call children by their given birth names. i feel that a name denotes a certain nature, name helps the child  get to know themselves and become confident in who they are. ( if we are calling them litte  pookey , or baby cakes, or sweetie, there is no personal identity in that. the impact is greater depending on the age group that you are working with. so yes I would say call them by their name. Actually there are studies that have been done on this very issue. so you may want to research, so you can make a better educated decision. 
    shalom and  
    Good luck!

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    Brenda Jones
    Director
    salvation station
    Oklahoma City OK
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  • 4.  RE: Call by name...

    Posted 07-14-2020 07:27 AM
    Thank you for your thoughts.  I do agree with you.

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    Gabriela Rrz
    In The Beginning
    IN
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  • 5.  RE: Call by name...

    Posted 07-14-2020 08:41 AM
    I agree with you, Brenda. Using children's names (rather than pet names i.e. baby, sweetie, sugar, etc.) is one way to communicate respect, which helps develop a warm and enjoyable learning environment. We use the CLASS tool for a lot of our coaching work with teachers, and this behavior is actually mentioned in high-level description of the dimension Positive Climate.

    I do, however, think that asking the parents what their child prefers to be called by their teacher is important, and then confirm yourself with the child. For example, "Hi Christian! Your mom told me that sometimes you like to be called Chris. Would it be okay for me to call you Chris when you're at school?" That response communicates respect for the child and gives them autonomy to make an important decision about their experience at school.

    Good luck!

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    Catherine Burke
    Teaching & Learning Specialist
    Smart Start of Forsyth County
    Winston Salem NC
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  • 6.  RE: Call by name...

    Posted 07-14-2020 09:18 AM
    Hello Gabriela,

    I was always taught that you should use their given name as a Teacher before kindergarten because many children are called by a nickname at home, and when they get to kindergarten and the teacher calls their name, they won't know it.  After teaching preschoolers for over 20 years, I feel that using their given name sometimes throughout the day helps them be aware of that name, but using the name with which the child is comfortable (nickname) most of the time, helps create that relationship between you.  As long as the child is aware that he/she will sometimes be called by his/her given name, my opinion is that nicknames are acceptable and serve a purpose to strengthen those bonds that are so important in teaching.

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    Tricia Streharsky
    Community Support Specialist
    Stow, OH
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  • 7.  RE: Call by name...

    Posted 07-14-2020 09:59 AM
    I think we should call all people by the name they (or their parents) prefer. I don't think teachers should call children by generic endearments like sweetie or make up individual ones like Anna Bannanna. I think it is important to pay attention to what name the parent uses - if they don't shorten a name (Maddie for Madeline) the teacher shouldn't either.  On the other hand if they use an endearment like Pookie, for instance. the teacher should not assume it is all right for them to use it. I had a coteacher who was informed in no uncertain terms that a certain nickname was just for family.

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    Margery Heyl
    Chicago IL
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  • 8.  RE: Call by name...

    Posted 07-15-2020 10:04 AM
    Hello,

    This has been an interesting conversation. In addition to the comments so far, we could also consider this from the perspective of children's developing concept of self - of which their name is a big part. From birth through the early childhood period children are constructing a concept of "me" as a unique individual separate from the people and environments that surround them. Who they are, starts with their name.   Asking parents and children what name they prefer us to use makes sense - since that is the 'self' children are working from -- as others have said in the thread, nicknames originated by staff or staff relying on non-names like "sweetie' fail to take advantage of the opportunity for children to learn more about themselves. (not that if you ever call a child sweetie you have done that child great harm - it's just not a good habit).  In addition, some families may find our use of names other than what the child knows and uses at home disrespectful or an implication that the 'child' does not 'belong.' This is especially true for children whose names may be less familiar to staff members. There is a lovely children's book entitled Your Name Is a Song, by Jamilah Thompkins Bigelow, that captures how important it is to use children's names in talking to them and the value of making a real effort to say children's names correctly.


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    Marjorie Kostelnik
    Lincoln NE
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  • 9.  RE: Call by name...

    Posted 07-16-2020 08:01 PM
    Thanks for this thread. It reminded me of one of my favorite old Sesame St segments: Maya Angelou's Name Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jWHQYkCYbI

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    Dr. Faith Rogow
    InsightersEducation
    Ithaca NY
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  • 10.  RE: Call by name...

    Posted 07-16-2020 08:34 PM
    THANK YOU ALL!!!

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    Gabriela Rdz
    In The Beginning
    IN
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