Parent/Teacher Conferences Fall 2010

I just finished my P/T conference for Maggie, and I'm giddy with all the documentation and discussion about how much she has grown and learned over the last few months. Chris and Melanie (Chris' new assistant teacher) prepared video documentation of each child for conferences this year that highlighted growth, and the "big new thing" in the classroom this semester which is emerging interactive play. And when I say "interactive play" I seriously mean emerging interactive play. I watched videos of Maggie participating in play activities with peers with a shared purpose of play---and these are 2 and 3 year olds!!! Really though, they would be carrying out the same play theme for long periods of time, occasionally slipping away to their typical egocentric toddler selves. Maybe only my fellow early childhood educators/developmental specialist friends are going to get as super excited about this as I am:)

Some of the REALLY big highlights for me was some of Maggie's artwork that was shared. Chris shared a video of Maggie working at the easel with a small paintbrush, and when Chris asked her to talk about what she was painting, Maggie simply stated "My M." The large sheet of paper is covered in up and down paint strokes, and even some diagonal strokes---truly the beginning of a capital M. The next piece that was shared, Maggie reported was a drawing of "Mommy and Boston." She labeled Mommy's legs and head to Chris, and really there was a circle head and two lines for legs! The last piece that was shared was a piece relevant to Maggie's emerging understanding of text. As the children sat at the table to "write" about their mornings, Maggie "wrote" all over a paper, and reported to student staff that she was writing about "playing with babies this morning."

Here are some quotes provided by Chris from Maggie's Family Conference Summary"

• Magnolia has really begun to play interactively with her peers. During observations, we have seen a real explosion in pretend play, a critical aspect of children's development. Pretend play builds language, thinking and social skills as children take on roles and develop their own ideas and stories. Magnolia has planned plots, which has developed her ability to sequence in many situations.
• Magnolia can set the table at mealtimes, she serves family style, cleans up at meals and transitions. She gets herself dressed and undressed on her own.
• Magnolia uses simple sentences and questions with three or more words. Magnolia often uses the question mode with adults to keep the conversation going. Magnolia may not always want to know the answer, yet "Why" seems to be a transition to stalling to gain time and attention.
• Favorite Activities and Special Interests: The activities that create a "large mess," art, sensory, and water play. Magnolia will get her pom poms for music and movement, and shares her Vandal ones proudly. Magnolia is one of the first ones to go outside now and we have to seek out the moon daily.
• Situations that Cause Distress: At times when we can't find the moon outside (had to laugh at this one!). Loud sounds like the fire alarm, and when she is tired. Magnolia has decreased her fears, and has been able to discuss her emotions with words.

I THINK I HAVE A NEW LITTLE GIRL---SO DIFFERENT THAN SHE WAS A YEAR AGO!

Thanks Chris for all your hard work and efforts on behalf of Magnolia, and for always supporting her with what she communicated she needed, even when it wasn't the easiest thing to do!!