While
at the Amazing Pizza Machine I had the pleasure of watching a mother and her
daughter discuss which ride she was “big enough” to ride. The daughter looked to be around 5 years old
and a couple of the rides she wish to ride had a height requirements that
appeared to be something she would not meet.
During the mother's conversation with her daughter, the daughter could
not understand how she was a “big girl” but was unable to ride the rides she
wanted to ride. I noticed during this
conversation the mother tried different ways of communicating and showing her
daughter why she would not be able to ride.
The mother tried her best my speaking softly and slowly, explaining that
she was not tall enough to go on the ride, but there was other games she could
play.
This week’s resources discussed taking the opportunity to
step back and really listen to what children are communicating. I believe what
I observed at the Amazing Pizza Machine was a child trying to express her
independence to her mother. However, her
mother’s responds to her may have sent her the message that she is not as
independent as she thinks.
After reflecting on what I observed, one goal I have is to
ensure that I really take the time to listen to children. I want to ensure that I take their cues and
provide them with the answers that they are looking for, not the answers that I
think they need.
Hi Dalhia,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your observation. It sounds like the mother did a good job of explaining to her daughter why she could not go on the rides. Was the little girl still upset after her mother talked with her? Or was she okay since she was able to do other things?
I really like the goal that you have set for yourself. I think that is a very important goal that we all should strive to set for ourselves. Well done.