Learner Briana Lomeli-Smith
LearnerForum Replies Created
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Some of the best ways to help children recognize their emotions are by labeling feelings in the moment and explaining how you know they are feeling that way (“I see you’re feeling sad because you have a frown and you have tears in your eyes”), reading books about emotions, and using visuals like feeling charts.
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When I start feeling compassion fatigue, I take time to pause and practice self-care, like deep breathing, short breaks, or journaling. I also reach out to coworkers for support and remind myself to set healthy boundaries. Taking care of myself helps me stay present and supportive for the children.
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Some examples of responsive exchanges are: smiling and making eye contact when a child talks to you, repeating or expanding on what they say, asking open-ended questions, and joining in their play by following their lead. These small responses show children you are listening and value their ideas.
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Yes, taking short breaks to breathe or go for a walk, journaling, and talking with supportive coworkers or friends helps me release stress. I also find that exercising, listening to music, or spending time on hobbies outside of work gives me balance and helps me return refreshed.
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I would advise other early learning providers to build connections by listening carefully to children, showing genuine interest in their ideas, and being consistent and caring in their responses. Simple actions like getting down on their level, using their names, and celebrating their efforts help children feel seen, valued, and respected.
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Yes, written guidance policies are useful when addressing challenging behaviors, ensuring consistency between staff, and explaining expectations to families. They provide a clear plan for handling situations fairly and safely, which helps children feel secure and supported.
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For a 2-month-old infant the equipment you should be using is a crib or bassinet with a firm, flat mattress that only have a fitted sheet on it. The baby should always be put on their back to sleep.
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Some tips I have for creating a developmentally appropriate, fun, and physically active classroom would be to firstly include the children in as much lifestyle activities as possible, walking, picking up toys, helping with toys and playing outside. Then I will make sure to include dancing, sports (even if it’s a made up sport that we can play) and other things.
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You can make healthy habits fun by turning it into a game, when appropriate, or using a song. Everybody loves the ‘clean up song’ and you can also teach children to sing when washing their hands.
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If I were giving a prospective parent a tour, I would be sure to mention the gate at the front of the door to prevent children from escaping out of the classroom for their safety. Then I would show them all the amenities that we have that are child proof, such as a fridge, where the medicine would be (locked up), where our kitchen is located, that everyone here serving child food has their food handlers’ cards. Thats just some more, I bet the parent would have some safety question as I took them through the tour.
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If I suspected that child abuse is going on with a child, then I would first consult with other teachers in my room, see if they picked up on any of the signs that I may have missed. Write down everything that I know about the child and what is going on. Then make a phone call to CPS.
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My biggest worry about keeping children healthy and safe would probably be in case of an emergency I forget the procedure on what to do. I know there are ways to prevent this but it’s a fear of mine. It other cases it’s never happened but I have also never fully been in charge of taking care of multiple children at once.
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To create and maintain a string partnership between parents and caregivers, it’s important to share the child’s progress and daily experiences as well as listen to the parents concerns, ideas. It is also important to involve them in decisions about their child’s care and learning.
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My wants:
1. A care provider who cares for my child and wants what is best for them.
2. A care provider who pays attention to the small details and keeps me updated on those details.
3. A care provider who is able to meet my child emotional needs and help my child regulate themselves.
My fears:
1. That a care provider won’t pay attention, and my child will get hurt badly. (I know that children play and that leads to them getting hurt naturally.)
2. That a care provider who doesn’t give all children equal attention.
3. That a care provider will not know how to administer the Heimlich while my child is choaking.
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This reply was modified 9 months ago by Briana Lomeli-Smith.
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This reply was modified 9 months ago by
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You can engage children in active, meaningful learning by using hands-on projects like science experiments, role-playing stories, learning games that involve movement, and outdoor exploration to connect to the real world.