Tuesday we started our official first day at Marymount International School. I met both of my teachers and found out that I will be spending half of my time in the one EC (Early Childhood) classroom and half in the other. It will be great to experience two different classrooms and four different teachings styles being that there are two teachers in each classroom. I was definitely overwhelmed when I first arrived because I found out that most of the children do not speak English so the language barrier will be a difficult obstacle. Luckily, at this point in the year they do understand most of what is said to them in English.
When the children arrive they are able to color, play with play doh, play a few of the games that are laid out for them or even read a book. They have many choices and as I have learned the more choices the better! They were a little apprehensive toward me at first but towards the middle of the second day (today) they had begun to warm up. I understand their apprehension because the language barrier does make forming a bond much harder but I am definitely going to brush up on some Italian even if it is just some basic phrases to help get me through the day. I was a little disappointed because many of the other girls had already loved their placement and were getting along great with their student after the first day but I know that my situation is different and I am just going to have to work a little harder and I'm okay with that. By the end of today, I was interacting and playing with the kids while they played a fishing game, while they played on the playground, during story time, and during their free play (play doh, coloring, games). I am feeling much better but I know that I have a long way to go and much more Italian to learn.
We spent a lot of the day outside which was so nice. I got to experience how the children interact with each other. I noticed that they are much more independent than children back home. They also have more free reign than back in the states. Children jump and climb on their jungle gym type play areas and if I was at home I would never let these children put themselves in such dangerous conditions but there are positive and negatives to both. Here they are less likely to get upset and cry if they fall (for the most part). They are able to explore their surroundings and that definitely makes a huge difference in their cognitive, social and of course, physical abilities down the road.
My time at Marymount had a rocky start but I am excited to see what happens and I know that I am going to learn so much and I am ready for the challenge!
For Thursday, the schedule was similar as the first two days. Consistency for young kids is so important. A set classroom routine helps to increase their ability to be independent in the classroom. The children had "free" time in the morning but they also needed to complete a project before they had music. They are currently in their fish themed unit and they were instructed to decorate a tuna fish with glue, glitter, paper shapes of various colors and jewels. They really enjoyed the project but some struggled with the whole glue before glitter/paper/jewels first concept. Every child came up with a different design and as I have learned, allowing children to express themselves helps them to enhance their critical thinking and logic skills. Allowing children to be creative in the classroom is a great start to their establishing a sense of self. The earlier they learn who they are, what they like and don't like, what makes them unique the better. I was able to lead the activity and got a great amount of on on one time with with the kids. They are definitely starting to open up to me and that is a great feeling!
Then they had music which was very interactive. The music teacher had a board with three different bugs and then a section with all three together and he first taught the kids the English words for each insect and then in small groups the children were able to independently pick which instrument they would like to play. He provided instruments that sounded similar to the noise which each bug makes. They learned sharing, turn taking, how to follow multi-step directions and vocabulary.
Next we had recess where the children had to play inside where physical education takes place because it was raining. It was very chaotic. Children were everywhere! They were jumping, running, laughing, falling, yelling etc. The teacher put out mats, balls, a balance beam and many other objects to keep them occupied and let them get some energy out. It was amazing to see how the children were able to connect different activities and objects together. They are a very creative bunch of three year olds.
After free time they had lunch, which was crazy. I got a workout attending to both three year old classrooms. I had to make sure they weren't throwing food or a untencils and for some I had to encourage them to finish portions of their meal. There were other teachers there doing the same thing but it was still hard work. Teachers are always on the go so I am adapting these little balls of energy. Being in the classroom before this trip definitely helped to prepare me. The rest of the day was pretty low key. We made crowns, read books, and played with small table toys which help to strengthen their fine motor skills. They love to cut and glue.
When the children arrive they are able to color, play with play doh, play a few of the games that are laid out for them or even read a book. They have many choices and as I have learned the more choices the better! They were a little apprehensive toward me at first but towards the middle of the second day (today) they had begun to warm up. I understand their apprehension because the language barrier does make forming a bond much harder but I am definitely going to brush up on some Italian even if it is just some basic phrases to help get me through the day. I was a little disappointed because many of the other girls had already loved their placement and were getting along great with their student after the first day but I know that my situation is different and I am just going to have to work a little harder and I'm okay with that. By the end of today, I was interacting and playing with the kids while they played a fishing game, while they played on the playground, during story time, and during their free play (play doh, coloring, games). I am feeling much better but I know that I have a long way to go and much more Italian to learn.
We spent a lot of the day outside which was so nice. I got to experience how the children interact with each other. I noticed that they are much more independent than children back home. They also have more free reign than back in the states. Children jump and climb on their jungle gym type play areas and if I was at home I would never let these children put themselves in such dangerous conditions but there are positive and negatives to both. Here they are less likely to get upset and cry if they fall (for the most part). They are able to explore their surroundings and that definitely makes a huge difference in their cognitive, social and of course, physical abilities down the road.
My time at Marymount had a rocky start but I am excited to see what happens and I know that I am going to learn so much and I am ready for the challenge!
For Thursday, the schedule was similar as the first two days. Consistency for young kids is so important. A set classroom routine helps to increase their ability to be independent in the classroom. The children had "free" time in the morning but they also needed to complete a project before they had music. They are currently in their fish themed unit and they were instructed to decorate a tuna fish with glue, glitter, paper shapes of various colors and jewels. They really enjoyed the project but some struggled with the whole glue before glitter/paper/jewels first concept. Every child came up with a different design and as I have learned, allowing children to express themselves helps them to enhance their critical thinking and logic skills. Allowing children to be creative in the classroom is a great start to their establishing a sense of self. The earlier they learn who they are, what they like and don't like, what makes them unique the better. I was able to lead the activity and got a great amount of on on one time with with the kids. They are definitely starting to open up to me and that is a great feeling!
Then they had music which was very interactive. The music teacher had a board with three different bugs and then a section with all three together and he first taught the kids the English words for each insect and then in small groups the children were able to independently pick which instrument they would like to play. He provided instruments that sounded similar to the noise which each bug makes. They learned sharing, turn taking, how to follow multi-step directions and vocabulary.
Next we had recess where the children had to play inside where physical education takes place because it was raining. It was very chaotic. Children were everywhere! They were jumping, running, laughing, falling, yelling etc. The teacher put out mats, balls, a balance beam and many other objects to keep them occupied and let them get some energy out. It was amazing to see how the children were able to connect different activities and objects together. They are a very creative bunch of three year olds.
After free time they had lunch, which was crazy. I got a workout attending to both three year old classrooms. I had to make sure they weren't throwing food or a untencils and for some I had to encourage them to finish portions of their meal. There were other teachers there doing the same thing but it was still hard work. Teachers are always on the go so I am adapting these little balls of energy. Being in the classroom before this trip definitely helped to prepare me. The rest of the day was pretty low key. We made crowns, read books, and played with small table toys which help to strengthen their fine motor skills. They love to cut and glue.
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