Day 1 at Xax’lip- November 20th, 2024
My first full day at The Fountain (Xax’lip) daycare, was new, and interesting as, at first, was to me a slow morning. I was greeted by little Fraser, and to break the ice, I asked him if he wanted to play with the Lego building blocks, to which he immediately agreed to. Shortly after, Vincent showed up. The two boys played with the blocks with me for a short time.
The kids learned to make Play-Doh. They watched intently how to measure ingredients, carefully mix, and add color.
Then, the fun part, PLAYING with the Play-Doh. The kids learned how to roll the playdoh out and use the playdoh scissors to separate it from each other. Also using the cookie cutters and making different shapes, I asked the kids what shapes they were using, and what they were using it for. for instance, Vincent made a triangle and told me he was making a roof for a house. Fraser rolled out his playdoh and told me he was making a circle for a pie.
For the first snack of the day, Sabina made some french toast and added a side of strawberries. Both boys enjoyed it.
After snack time the children and I sat down for circle time where Sherri sang a good morning song and then did the days of the week. She counted to 10 in both english and statlimx, and played shapes and colors with bean bags.
Soon after we went outside for some play in the school yard. The playground is a simple playground that consists of two slides, some climbing sections and surrounded by astro turf. There is a locked shed with bikes and additional toys that kids have access to with permission and assistance.
With fresh snow on the ground, it made outside time more enjoyable, from tossing fresh fluffy snow in the air a-to making snow angels.
Afterwards the kids had some art time where Sherry and I made some paper cars and glued colorful tissue to them. the tissue and sticky glue made it difficult but humorous at the same time.
Lunch time and then a much needed nap right after was a breath of fresh air. Sounds like a wonderful Day 1 Dee!
Day 2 at Xax’lip- November 25, 2024
Today was the same routine as my first day. Vincent and Fraser are getting to know me better, however trying to communicate with them and getting them to listen is a challenge in itself. It seems they antagonize each other and challenge each other to a point they are fighting. With me being the new adult, they are a little uneasy and less than willing to listen to suggestion or direction from me at this time. But not to worry, I am still trying to figure each child out. Yes, they are like siblings and both are only just 3 so need to learn to share, cooperate and all of these essential life skills in the next few years!
I built railroad blocks with the kids. And played with the playdoh we had made before on the 20th.
On our journeys outside, we explored the the different types of footprints found around the school yard. Fraser pointed out that the large set of footprints were dog prints. He then wandered around following the large tracks, and under the slide he came across a set of much smaller tracks. Small, skinny, and close together. I asked Fraser what kind of tracks they were. He told me he didn’t know. So i told him “they look like bird tracks. Se how they are close together Fraser? They hop. They hop along with their feet close together”. It was adorable how he pointed close to the bird tracks and said “they hope close gether”. Glad you got to experience outside. This might be a place for you to expand on?
Day 3 of practicum- The Nest in Pemberton B.C. day 1 of 2
November 27th, 2024
The day before I arrived to The Nest, I travelled my way to Pemberton, to gain my time at The Nest daycare. The Nest is a daycare that cares for approximately 18 children from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. from ages 2-5 years.
My First day I arrived at 8:30 a.m, I introduced myself to the other ECE’s, who were all very warm and welcoming. I hung up my poster by the front door, and I greeted the parents and their children.
When i got the chance i asked Amy a few questions, such as what the day consists of (snack, outside play, quiet time, lunch, art, circle time, etc). Amy was very thorough and friendly, and in detail, walked me through the day.
I observed the surrounding area, to which i found very exciting. It was as if my inner child was activated. It was my first time seeing a daycare with so much to do in such a beautiful, open space. My eye went directly toward the two swings on the other end of the room. The child lays on their tummy and is able to swing with their arms outreached and in flying circles. It gives a sense of freedom.
There was a kiddy cooking section, a comfy section with pillows and blankets. There was a space station table with rocks and a big space ship. There was a whole room specifically for art which i found fascinating. Glad you got to experience the Nest as it truly gives you a better perspective of what quality childcare could look like.
Day 4 of Practicum- The Nest in Pemberton B.C. day 2 of 2
November 28th, 2024
After a refreshing first day at the The Nest, and learning the names of majority of the kids, I felt better prepared.
That being said, I guess the joke was on me haha as an almost entirely new set of kids came in, leaving me a tad bit confused. I greeted and introduced myself to the kids and their parents. Right away, I got busy and explored my surroundings. I asked what the children were doing and to explain how the activity worked. They were playing with a set of blocks, that each fit together, and each had one more block than the other. This helped them exercise their counting, and arranging ability.
As we went on with our day, we had some art time. One of the boys was more focused on the way the glue rolled off his paint brush and onto the paper.
My favorite part of the day however, I was sitting with one boy and showing him how much he can do with magnet, building shapes. I guess it became so fascinating, it generated a small group of kids who wanted to join in and help us build. they each added onto my little house, until it collapsed.
It was around 11 a.m. it was time we suited up and head out for our walk. Yesterday we went to the park, which required us to walk through some of the village, and cross a busy highway.
Now, during each walk, we would attach the children to a long, leash type hookup that supports up to 18 children. It keeps them in double file lines (9 kids on each side of the rope). We then had one adult at the front of the line, one at the very back, and on on each side. There was a song that we would sing that explained we were crossing a road, and as we crossed the road, everyone had to put one hand high in the air.
So today we did not go to the park, instead we went on a nature walk. A trail that brought us through some woods, and then back out full circle and across from the daycare. So we let the kids loose and allowed them to play on the hill until it was time to go back inside for their lunch.
Their system and techniques were very appealing to me, and honestly something I admired in a daycare.
At the end of my stay, I was very pleased to gain the feedback I did from Amy before I left. She told me she loved how the kiddos gravitated towards me, I didn’t stick to one child, and I engaged and asked questions.
She did say that she would’ve liked to see me participate more in the circle times, but understood that given I was only there for 2 days, was reason not to have been more a part of it. She also mentioned that I do say “good job” too much and to find different ways to praise the child as this is kind of overkill.
Day 5 of Practicum- Back to Xax’lip- December 3rd, 2024
After 2 fun-filled days at The Nest, I mad my return to Fountain reserve. Used to just the 2 boys, I was happy to see a 3rd child come into the building, little Miss Brooklyn.
With having the day pretty much memorized here at Xax’lip, I felt that the only change in the day was the extra child. Life at the Nest was much more energetic with much more options most definitely.
Day 6 of Practicum, Xax’lip December 4th 2024
So to day was particularily exciting for me, as we did not have just 3 kids, but my little nephew Logan was with us today. We did our usual routine of play then snack in the morning. Instead of going out to play however, a lady came in from the local Lillooet library to read to the children. Her energy was honestly warm and she gained the attention of the kids for majority of the time.
I did have my seminar for a couple hours after the book reading was over. And the same routine commenced. lunch, nap, play, home.
Day 7 of practicum- December 5th, 2024
Decorating day, YAY.
Probably one of my favorite days, as we decorated for the holidays. I also did my first art class with the kids; for that, I prepared cut outs of Christmas stockings with their names prepared on it. In addition, I had stickers for the children to add for decoration. I later left a small teddy bear with a chocolate and home made Christmas card for their stockings special from me.
Day 8 of Practicum- December 9th, 2024
Good bye snow
With three kiddos today, Fraser, Vincent and Brooklyn, it was again, the same routine, except for one thing, it was a beautiful sunny day and the snow had melted. Bringing the kids outdoors, they got to play with toys with wheels. Learning how to apply teamwork and pushing the double seated tricycle around, the kids learned how to problem solve when it came to being stuck or unable to move.
In addition to our beautiful day, because Brooklyn missed out on the stocking making the day before, she and I sat down together and made her stocking. She took extra time with it and hung it up over the “fireplace” proudly.
Day 9 of Practicum- December 11th, 2024
Today was a typically quiet day. Same routine, and patiently waiting for the holiday.
Day 10 of Practicum- December 12th, 2024
Last day…
Today we began our day with play, then snack. Typically after snack Sherri, the ECEA at Xax’lip would do the circle time, but it was my day to do so.
I wanted to incorporate some numbers in the songs we sang, so to begin, we sang “The Ants Go Marching” and marched around the room. After we sang “5 Little Monkeys”.
THE CHILDREN ENJOYED THE SINGING AND DANCING, it warmed my heart to see them connect with me through song and dance.
After, for our theme, I chose winter, so we sang a song about the “small fat snowman”. The kids really enjoyed this one as they laughed singing about a fat snowman melting away.
After circle time, again Sherri would do art, however I had prepared art for the children. The art were Christmas wreaths with bows in the shape of our hands.
I had the kids trace their own hands and cut them out, with assistance of course. we then glued the hands onto paper plates. After that we glued colored tissue on to the plates, and added pompoms to our wreaths for some extra flair.
After art, we suited up and headed outside for a short half hour and then came back in for our lunch. As I only had a half day with the kids, my day quickly came to an end.
I said goodbye to the kids and explained I won’t be returning, however I will miss them and wished them a very Merry Christmas.
My final Learning Statement
I have experienced both great and not so great times at Xax’lip.
The ECEA (Sherri) demonstrated disinterest when I would make suggestion when the kids would throw tantrums. For instance, as one of the children screamed, she restrained the child on her lap in front of the other children, and watched as they played. I made a suggestion that perhaps taking the young boy away for some time alone and talking to the boy might be a better idea. It was this time for the first time, she ignored my suggestion. I would try to greet the kids as they would come in, and while doing so, she would cut me off and talk over me. On a daily basis, there was a lot of laying on the carpet, and laying with her head down; at one point, the ECEA was playing solitaire at one of the kiddie tables while the children played.
The daily routines I felt were boring. There was no sitting down and learning to write down numbers, ABC’s or writing their names. I did see booklets with these activities ready to do, but it never did get done. I did make an attempt at getting the kids to sit down and work with me, however I felt that they are so used to being able to do what they want, they didn’t seem at all interested. Whenever circle time was progress, the two boys had zero interest whenever the ECEA was reading or trying to get them to participate in counting or singing. This gave me the idea for my songs, standing up and dancing and changing my voice as I told a story, or sang a song. It turned out I was right. The kids followed my lead and sang, and danced along with me.
As I ended my time at Xax’lip, I had a sense of relief, but also sadness. As i said before, I want to engage more with the children. I want to see more opportunity and growth. It was at The Nest I saw so much more. I also seen the way they spoke to the children was so much more warm and trusting. The children WANTED to engage. They wanted to learn. And they understood routine. These children younger than the three kids at Xax’lip, were as young as two years of age.
What I learned in general:
I do not wish to return to Xax’lip as I feel it does not expand my growth as an ECE. The example I felt was supposed to be demonstrated while I was observing didn’t seem ideal, in fact, it taught me a lot more of how I should not behave, and how I would not want to run a day care. I also learned what not to say and what is not appropriate to say, even if what I say is supposed to be funny. I at times felt like I was a threat. I would not want my own children (if i had any small children) or nephew to be a part of this day care. While the kids were amazing, I feel that the requirements in a daycare were not met at the Xax’lip center. Not like how the atmosphere was at the The Nest in Pemberton.
What I learned from my PM:
In Xax’lip: as i said before, I learned more of the “what not” to do as opposed to what TO do. I didn’t agree with a lot, however the thought that I am just a student crossed my mind. BUT, I am a parent. And that tells me a lot as well.
The Nest: I enjoyed myself immensely. My observations told me that a young child’s brain can stretch as far as the eye can see. And consistency gives a lot. As for my PM, she told me that how I held myself, and engaged, was impressive, and I am definitely made for this line of work.
My two goals:
I found my purpose as I journaled, therefor I found my voice, and my goal is to use it.
I plan to have more prepared, as required, but I want to reach for the sky. I want to continue to make the kids dance and laugh more. I want them to see that there is more than the same old routine.
Miss Dee.