Being an avid people watcher I enjoyed being able to choose a
scenario from my daily observations and put it to use. While I was at the
grocery store I observed a mother and her two possibly preschool to young
school age children shop the produce. The children were engaged and wanting to
assist with the selections as well as touch many other items they were not
purchasing.
The mother was in “mom mode” where she was answering their
questions and allowing them to help while staying focused on the list in her
hand. They children were smiling and bouncing around, yet when the mother would
ask them to do something or come close they listened. The communication and
interactions between the three was natural and fluid as they moved throughout
the produce section.
I felt as though this mom was highly engaged as they moved
throughout the store, however she was also allowing the children to be children
and ask questions and try tasks for themselves. Being able to remember to do
that can be difficult and yet she was able to balance this very well. It was a
good reminder for me to remember that something as simple as a trip to get
groceries can be exciting to your children.
The mother was very involved with the conversations as she communicated
with the children. She encouraged them to chat asking questions and would answer
and respond as they spoke to her. For being in a busy grocery store she seemed
to be relaxed as well as her children enjoying the experience as they shopped
together.
I felt as though she could not have done anything better as she
communicated with her children. She was engaging and even though she was on the
move to get the shopping done she was actively listening to her children as
they spoke.
This observation was one that you could in just the few moments I
observed them, as well as seeing them later in a different section, were
engaged and observant of the world around them. I reflected on the media
presentation with Lisa Kolbeck remembering the natural way she engaged with the
children in her care this mother was very similar and intentional as she
responded (Laureate Education. 2011). They engaged in conversations with one
another as well as their mother as they progressed sharing what they knew as
well as discussions on what the mom was teaching them about the produce. Having
moments like these to naturally encourage children to learn through experiences
in a setting that is familiar to them is important in building their self-worth.
They were reprimanded when they had moments of straying too far or arguing with
one another, however the mother did it in a manner that the children accepted
and continued with the day.
I felt as though this mom engaged
in a way that I strive to with my own children. I know within the classroom I
am able to engage as I hope to actively and allowing for experiences to occur
creating meaningful conversations. Now, with my own children I know some days
have been rough at work or long and I continuously remind myself to continue as
I had done all day with other people’s children. Be more patient, remain actively
engaged, and allow for them to be children. I do not care to grocery shop, but
my girls love it and I remind myself of this as we enter when they go with me.
They enjoy each step pushing the cart, choosing the groceries, scanning at the self-checkout
and bagging the food. Remaining myself the importance of teaching them these
activities and staying engaged gets an errand taken care of as I am able to
communicate with my child as well as teach them life skills. This is much like
the lesson the girls had on owls and cats with Kolbeck learning is taking place
even though the child may not be aware at the time (Laureate Education, 2011). A
personal and professional goal of mine is to continue to build patience. I am
patient by nature and generally not in a hurry to do much of anything, however
I must remain mindful that if the child can do it they should.
Reference
Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). Strategies for working with diverse children: Communication with young
children. Baltimore, MD: Author.
