My 3rd session observing.

It rained steadily the entire time I was there, which meant no outside playtime.  Fortunately the classrooms at both the LBCC facilities are huge in comparison to most of the ones I work in, so it’s not such a big deal to have the kids stay in.  The unfortunate part was that I wasn’t able to get enough input to do a very good job of recording the physical development part of the first observation assignment.  I also realized I need to be more diligent in my note taking.  It seems like I’m doing a lot, but when I get home later and look at what I’ve written it doesn’t seem like much. 

The teachers put out some extra activities for the kids to do.  I sat near the “Connects” table and watched 4 boys try to duplicate the picture of the robot on their “placemat.” They were to match not only the specific parts but also the color of each part.  Only one of the boys was able to “match” everything and complete the object. The others put together the pieces to make objects but they didn’t “match,” although they had assembled a creature that had a head, body and other anatomical parts resembling a human. From a developmental standpoint and in reference to milestones for 4 year olds, socially these boys were demonstrating competency.  They cooperated with each other.  No one grabbed parts from the other’s pile but rather took from the box in the center of the table. "Look at mine!" one boy said.  Each held up their creations for the others to see.

Time was up and the “Connects” were put away.  I was thinking it would be fun have an ongoing project that didn’t have to be disassembled but rather set aside to continue later—like a Montessori or Reggio type endeavor.