Just recently I had my first OJT placement (On the Job Training) at an early learning centre here in Charlottetown.  Even though I have some experience working at a daycare I still felt nervous. It was a different environment with different staff and children, a different routine, etc. Also, I haven't had very much experience working with 3 and 4-year olds. 

I almost felt that awkwardness one feels on their first day of a new job. But it was only a short time before I felt right at home. The staff was very helpful and supportive and the children seemed to accept me in right away

It was only a 2-week placement but I feel that I learned so much just in that short time. The space in the centre is beautiful and the children can flow to different areas like studio, science, daily living, dramatic play, etc. The teachers were excellent examples of dedication and intentionality. I saw first-hand that children can be spoken to firmly and be made aware of expectations in a way that is still gentle and respectful. I saw that children are capable and can learn to practice self-care and can do things for themselves. I learned that we could guide children in communicating their feelings to each other and resolving their own conflicts, without us stepping in and speaking for them. I saw how children are more eager to learn when they have chosen the activity and are interested in it.

I had the opportunity to do some pretty cool things as well. I read a story to the whole group of children, and lead a few circle times (the Moose Song was definitely included!). I created an ‘invitation to play’ which involved a wicker goose in the centre of a table with baskets of seeds, lentils, feathers, and leaves arranged around it. I set out some paper and glue, inviting the children to come and create. It was fascinating to see what the children did with the materials and how they reflected their real life experiences through their play and their art work.

When setting up the play scene I had considered sticking all of the feathers into the weavings of the wicker bird so that the children would have to pull the feathers out in order to use them (I was trying to be creative!). But then the thought of the children ‘plucking’ the feathers from the bird to use for their art work, made me wonder what kind of message I’d be sending to the children through this. Is it ok to just take and use what belongs to an animal for our own interest? I decided against putting the feathers in the bird, and spread them out in a long wooden tray.

To my delight, as the children were playing, a little girl picked up a pile of feathers and set them on the bird, declaring “Now he’s cozy!”  Now that’s the kind of message that I want to promote. How can we not just take from animals with our own desires in mind, but how do we act compassionately and care for them? 

As I observed the children using the materials to play and create, I snapped some photos and jotted down some notes about the learning that was taking place. I arranged the notes and photos on large sheets of paper so that the parents could have some documentation about their children’s learning through the activity.

I was honoured when the director of the centre invited me to put my documentation along with samples of the children’s art work  in the display case. Some of the children’s artwork hung up, and some of it had to stay flat as there were heaps of lentils and seeds partially glued onto paper- but it was all artwork indeed!

And now it's back to the classroom to learn more!