As a parent, how would you feel if you were to receive a diary of your child while they were attending preschool? Would you ask the same questions as these in the text (pg.125-127)?

"Who is Laura?"

When I first started to read this book, I thought Laura was a teacher, as I mentioned in my blog before this. As I read other blogs I noticed some people thought the same thing. I wonder why this was? Was it because the picture on the page was of teachers, while the text said "Who is Laura"? But as I read the next couple of pages I then figured out Laura was a baby attending the preschool. As I look at the picture on the page and think of an answer why the authors or teachers put their picture there, I think they did this because the teachers in the picture wrote the diary of Laura. I think it is as simple as that. The teachers play a huge role in writing and documenting Laura's time at the center with this diary. They teachers are part of Laura's life. I think this picture shows the main teachers who work with Laura who also wrote her diary. They seem like they're looking at something in classroom or thinking about the set up of the classroom. They look like they are collaborating together and can work as an efficient team to support Laura's learning.

As I read when the teachers asked the parents about Laura's birth I was a little shocked, because it seemed kind of a personal question that I usually don't hear teachers ask parents in my center. But I do work with four year olds and Laura is a ten and a half month old so it would be necessary to ask about her birth, especially when it happened less than a year ago. Asking that question is a good way to learn about Laura and her parents. Talking about breast feeding, sleeping habits, and Laura's appetite can give the teachers insight about Laura's regular habits and daily life. It is advantage to ask these types of questions, because it gives the teachers a starting point at where they should start with Laura's development and learning. These questions are somewhat similar to ones my lead teacher asks new families that enter our classroom, except they are a little different. We ask about home and family life, sleeping and eating habits, words they use to describe something, how they ask for something, what words do they use to tell an adult that they need to use the bathroom, where they are developmentally and in their learning, and how they express their emotions. The questions are different, but they would be since it is at a different state of development and age.

"October 2: The Apple in the Kitchen"

I actually thought this story was interesting to read. It was such a simple story but something about it got my attention. I liked how the teacher engages with Laura and the other child, how she allowed them to go and explore something in the center, and how she encouraged them at a distance. The teacher didn't need to say anything to the children but at the same time she let them experience something new.

There could have been many reasons why the teacher left the children in the kitchen with the cook. She could have forgot something in the classroom, wanted the children to experience something on their own, step out and give the children time to explore, to see what the children's reactions would be like when she left, observe them outside of the kitchen, or to see what the children would do in the kitchen with the cooks. It could have been a curriculum decision. By doing this, the teacher could observe the children and see if they have an interest in food or cooking. If they were interested, the teacher could allow the children to come back to the kitchen again and watch the cooks make their food and they could also do simple cooking activities.

I think Laura is getting adjusted to being in the center. I don't think she is completely adjusted yet, but will very soon. It seems that she is starting to get comfortable in being at school and allowing herself to explore new things and branch off from the teacher in doing things independently.

What if a diary was used and writen in for each child in your classroom? What could be the benefits?

Reading the first couple of pages I was a little bit confused on what the book was about. I didn't understand who Laura was. Was she a teacher? When I got to page 29, I then realized who Laura was and what the text would be about. As I kept reading, it was very fascinating to me. I found it interesting how the teachers wrote in this diary about different things they notice about the child. It makes me think about what if we had this kind of diary for the classroom I work in. I think it might be kind of hard to keep a diary for 22 children, but it's actually something interesting to think about. All of the teachers could contribute to each diary, including aides and substitutes. The diary entries kind of remind me of anecdotal observations and running records. I really enjoyed the pictures in the diary. It makes the diary come to life and brings a face to Laura. I feel that this diary brings heart and passion to the work that the teachers do. It helps me to understand a different outlook on observations of children. I feel that this diary goes deeper and truly looks at Laura as a small individual ready to take on the world. Each little diary entry shows " a first" or a "new discovery" that Laura had done or accomplished. I really like this text and can't wait to read more of it.

What makes you a learner and a teacher?

When I think of blogs I think of people writing about things that interest them or writing about their lives, problems, and  current issues. I have used blogger before and I think it is a wonderful tool for school use. It brings new insights to the people we have a course with and allows communication on a different level than just laulima.

"Being with children offers countless moments and situations that test our understanding of their complex world, of ourselves, and of a broad range of issues related to learning and techers. As adults, our responses to these moments, especially those that press the limits of our own understandings, reveal the stance we take in the world as learners and teachers."

This statement is so powerful to me, because it is so true in my life. I feel that when I'm at work, sometimes I am being tested. I feel this way, because the moments and situations I encounter with the children tests me on a different level to challenge myself and go out of my comfort zone. I've never question the reason why I am in the early childhood field. I know I am in the right career. The situations make me go back and reflect upon my responses and actions towards the children. What could I have done better? What could have I done that would have a different outcome? What kind of responses did the children have? But I think that is part of working with children that challenges and tests us all the time. It's a process of trial and error. Because once I have seen the children connect an idea or accomplish something, it makes me proud of those moments that I work with children. These moments make me realize that I learn more about myself and the children as individuals. I become a learner and a teacher, which I am proud of.