Module 2 Interviews/Observation

          I’m currently conducting my field experience at a child care center. For Module 2, I had the opportunity to observe and conduct my interviews in the 4 year old classroom. During my time there, I had the chance to interview the two early childhood teachers of the classroom regarding social-emotional development. One of the teachers has been working at this particular center for 7 years. The other teacher is fairly new to the center, but has been working with young children for almost 10 years. Both of the teachers were able to give me their opinions on my three topics. I asked the following questions regarding my topics: How do teachers and parents influence children’s social-emotional development? What benefits do high quality centers have on social-emotional development? I was also able to observe a number of their daily activities and the interactions amongst the students and the teachers. I was present for snack time, free play time, outside play time, quiet activity time, and parent pick up.

          Throughout my observation and interviews, I was able to gain a number of insights regarding social-emotional development during the preschool years. One of the main insights I gained is that every activity/transition of the daily routine creates an opportunity for supporting social and emotional skills. Daily activities such as snack time and play time are filled with social aspects. Children are constantly interacting with teachers and with other students.  Teachers need to take advantage of these activities to model proper social behaviors and encourage positive interactions. One of the early childhood professionals stated, “Parents and teachers are very influential on children’s social skills and behaviors. For example, routines/schedules followed at home and school help children know what they have to do and how they are expected to behave. This in turn teaches young children the social skills needed to develop self-control and to interact in a social group.” Parents and teachers need to teach young children the rules and skills needed in order to be part of the society in which they live. A second insight I gained is the importance of creating nurturing and trusting relationships with children. The other teacher I interviewed stated, “High quality day care centers encourage children to interact with those around them. They help children learn about relationships, how to treat others, and to how respect themselves. Starting at an early age, children need to learn how relationships form and how to care for others.” In order to promote young children’s social-emotional development, teachers need to have warm and caring relationships with the children in their classrooms.

Interviews

I interviewed two Early Childhood Professionals, a child care director and a preschool teacher, to complete my first blog journal. I gained great insights regarding current advocacy efforts and needs for social-emotional development in the field of early childhood. A few of these current advocacy efforts include: family support programs, early intervention programs, early screenings, and high quality child care programs. All these programs serve as advocates by providing services to families and young children that will help promote healthy social-emotional development. 

According to the two professionals I interviewed, the most predominant need in social-emotional development is high quality teachers. The child care director explained that there is “an increasing need for highly trained early childhood teachers who know how to support children’s social-emotional development”. In addition, the preschool teacher explained that there’s also “a need to educate families about the critical role that social-emotional development plays in their children’s lives”. 

These interviews positively influenced my decision to focus on the area of social-emotional development for my research paper. The professionals I interviewed gave me a more in depth look by giving me their perspectives and experiences in this area. Through my conversations with these professionals, I was able to narrow down on three topics for my research paper.

My three topics are:
1. How do teachers and parents influence children’s social-emotional development?
2. The benefits that high quality centers have on social-emotional development.
3. The factors that impede proper social-emotional development.   

I have a couple of questions for my colleagues regarding my area of interest:
1.What are your thoughts on social-emotional development?
2. If you are currently working with children or have children of your own, how do you support their development in this area?

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