[eric]

Simply Listen Children want to be heard. They want to be included Show them that you care you have rules that you are firm on but always flexible kind and caring

[Alexis]

Attend to the children. When they are playing join them and interact. Instead of watching and observing get in there and play and talk with the kids. Get down with them and start playing with them or ask them questions about what they are doing. They will likely respond. Also practice serve and return. When a child points to something attend by saying the name of the object. When our kids are thirsty they say water or sign water and we respond by saying water? And pointing to their cups. They will respond by saying yes or making a gesture. Also just getting down and starting to play can encourage kids to start playing. If there are kids who don’t seem interested in playing or interacting pick two activities or objects and present them with an option. This way they don’t feel like they are required to do something uninteresting, and this way it is teaching them that they can make their own decisions. When a child is upset or experiencing emotions help them with kind words and asking them if they would like to be touched for example if they want a hug or a high five. Often having one on one time with an adult can comfort children. Having one on one or group activities can also help them feel supported and help them gain new interests. We have a soft corner when I notice that a child needs space or needs to release emotions I help them to the soft corner to calm down. We normally end up reading books and later they come to this area on their own when displaying emotions. Another suggestion if you are working with younger kids like toddlers if you sit down in a certain area they will often join you with whatever you are doing.

[Olivia]

I would suggest getting to know each child personally, don’t lump them all together. Every child is different, you need to talk to and engage with each of them. You cannot just sit on the sidelines and watch them, you must participate as well.

[Lexy]

Take time to observe your children when needed, but always be involved in activities and really try to bond with your children as they need that social interaction or room for growth as they themselves are still growing.

[Liana]

I would recommend finding engaging activities that everyone can do together. Be supportive and communicate with them.

[Ashley]

Actually going through this right now, we have a new teacher working with us. We have a child in our care who has a serious fear of new people caring for them. They don’t mind when parents come to pick up the other students and will even say hi to new people, but if anyone tries to pick them up they get scared and cry. I and my other coworkers have been encouraging her to not feel discouraged, reminding her that it isn’t her fault the child feels this way and as this child gets to know her more, through connection, the child will get better. We’ve been encouraging her to continue on playing with them and changing their diapers. Feeding them is also recommended as well as singing, talking to, and just all around being around the child. Today this child even let the new teacher hold them, which is a big improvement.

[Marissa]

Classroom jobs, engage in play with them, offer choices, set boundaries, have a routine

[Robyn]

I would say be consistent in your daily routine, maintain safety, take time to have a one on one moment with each student each day, even if it is short. Actively listen, give the kids room to express themselves, and show genuine interest.

[Jamie]

Consistency is key in everything.

[Sophia]

Practicing serve and return is a good way to engage in conversation with children. Make sure to ask questions and build on what the child is talking about. Wait for children to reply and don’t interrupt them.

[Sarah]

join your students in meals. i was surprised to see how happy they were just having me sit next to them while they ate

join in on the play!

[Jamie]

You will learn more about your students joining them for a meal than just about any other time of the day.

[Alexis]

Ask them about their interests then be involved, ask to play with them if you can offer things like hugs and high-fives

[Kaitlyn]

It is very important to continuously have active supervision in the classroom, engaging and serving our children in the best way possible. Creating a safe and positive environment for our children should be our number one priority.

[Jiwan]

Exactly. Too many child care providers think they should stand on the sidelines and watch. They say they are observing, but it is not interactive and the child doesn’t bond or learn from the adult.

[AJ]

Make sure to greet every child with a positive and welcoming attitude, return the serves, pay attention to their needs, try to have 1 on 1 moments, remember the little things and favorites of the children to offer up what interests them most in the classroom.

[Francisca]

The advice I would give would be spending more time with the classroom and getting to know the child likings and dislikes also engaging with classroom activities and reading books for the class to playing with children and helping their imagination expand