The Heart of Play

Goal 1: Enhancing Observation Skills

This term, being in field placement with preschoolers at the Driftwood Child Care Center, puts me in the ideal position to build strong observational skills. I want to improve my observational skills and describe details about engagement, growth and development through various methods of observation. Through running records, anecdotal observations, focusing on events or making checklists, I want to make connections to growth patterns and developmental milestones in the preschool setting. These observations can be made periodically throughout the day on Mondays and Tuesdays during my shifts at the Driftwood Day Care Centre. I will document my observations weekly and review them with my mentor or supervisor to ensure I am accurately capturing developmental milestones and behaviours. Enhancing my observational skills will help me make better connections between theory and practice in early childhood education, ultimately benefiting the children I work with.

 Some areas of development that I will focus on include physical, cognitive, language, social-emotional development as well as self-help skills. I will observe children’s gross and fine motor skills as they engage in physical play or complete activities using scissors, drawing and do up buttons. I will focus on their problem-solving skills as they work on puzzles and their memory development when they follow multi-step instructions. Focusing on children’s conversations and prompting with “why” and “how” questions as well as observing how well they follow directions and understand stories can provide insights on their language development. Their social-emotional development can be tracked through their pretend and cooperatively play, noting down how they express their emotions and show empathy to others. Furthermore, their self-help skills can be assessed through independent activities such as being able to dress themselves and using utensils properly. I will achieve this goal within the next 12 weeks, with a mid-point review at 6 weeks to assess my progress and make any necessary adjustments.

Goal 2: Building and Improving Collegial Relationships

My second goal for this term is to improve my interpersonal skills and build stronger relationships with my colleagues in my field placement. This can be achieved by participating in regular team-building activities, practicing effective communication and engaging in collaborative projects. The focus is on fostering a supportive and cooperative work environment. I will try to participate in at least one team meeting or collaborative activity each week and seek feedback from at least one colleague at the end of my placement shifts. I will set aside some pockets of time during my placement days to interact with colleagues, either though informal conversations or collaborative tasks. I will seek specific feedback, clearly stating what I would like their input on, i.e. my interaction with the children during a conflict. I will also have to be mindful and choose the right time to request for feedback. When catering to the needs of the children through out the day, it can be difficult to provide thoughtful responses when educators are busy or stressed. I will ask open-ended questions to elicit detailed responses, like “How can I support a child struggling with self-regulation?”. I will try to show that I am open to feedback by listening carefully and not get defensive. If need be, I will ask for clarification and discuss how I can implement suggestions. I will express gratitude, thanking them for their feedback, showing them that I value their input.

 With regular check-ins and a proactive attitude to better my learning, I can establish good collegial ties in my placement. Building strong relationships with colleagues will enhance teamwork and create a positive work environment, benefiting both the children and the staff at the daycare center.  I hope to achieve this goal within the next 12 weeks, with a mid-point journal reflection at 6 weeks to assess my progress and make any necessary adjustments.

Goal 3: Self-care

For my last goal, I will develop a comprehensive self-care plan to manage stress and prevent burnout during this term. This plan will include physical activities, emotional well-being practices, and mental health strategies. I will track my progress by maintaining a self-care journal, where I will document my daily activities, feelings, and reflections. I will also set specific targets, such as exercising for at least 30 minutes three times a week, practicing mindfulness for 10 minutes daily, and participating in weekly check-ins with Marcia. I will integrate these self-care practices into my daily routine by setting realistic and manageable goals. For physical health, I will choose activities I enjoy, such as walking or strength training. For emotional well-being, I will do some leisure reading and spend time with my loved ones. For mental health, I will use techniques such as deep breathing exercises and positive affirmations.

Taking care of my physical, emotional, and mental health is crucial for maintaining my overall well-being and effectiveness as an early childhood educator. By managing stress and preventing burnout, I will be better equipped to provide high-quality care in the field and focus on my studies. I will implement this self-care plan over the next 12 weeks, with a mid-point reflection at 6 weeks to assess my progress and make any necessary adjustments. At the end of the 12 weeks, I will evaluate my self-care strategies and plan for ongoing self-care. My aim to create a balanced and sustainable approach to self-care that will support my well-being and professional growth.