Basically, we visit a classroom once a month or so; our particular class is grade three. The children sing a greeting song, and baby and I go around the circle and each child gets about 3 seconds of one on one with baby; usually they rub her foot and smile at her. Being her cheerful little self, she usually smiles right back. Then everybody sits down on the floor around the Green Blanket. The children discuss what new things they notice about baby; this week they commented on how much her hair has grown, as well as how she seems to have gotten bigger (certain visits we weigh and measure her too). Baby gets put down on the Blanket, to do whatever she pleases, and the children watch. There is a roots of empathy educator there too; our is named Kathy. She helps lead the children through the day's theme by asking them questions and making suggestions.
For example, I was asked what sort of new things Avi has started doing since our last visit. The biggest one is lifting herself up on her arms. So we put her face down on the Blanket to see if she would do it. She immediately rolled onto her back. So, Kathy asks the children why they think she might have done that. There's a few different answers, but most lean towards the same idea; she doesn't want to be on her tummy. So we try again, and she immediately flips back onto her back. So, Kathy asks the children "is she telling us she doesn't want to be on her tummy?", and of course the children answer yes. Because babies this age are non-verbal, (well, not in an understandable way), the children learn to interpret her feelings based on her actions and body language. This helps them to interpret non-verbal cues from others later (this is how I understand it, at least).
So, we continued on with the themes for the day, talking about preparedness by going through my diaper bag to see all the things I need to carry around in case baby might need them (I was warned in advance that this was going to happen, so I made sure I had everything). We also talked about teething; how I could tell baby was teething, what the signs are, how baby might be feeling (sad, in pain, etc), and what were some ways I might comfort her. All the while, baby is rolling about on the Blanket and "talking" away to all the children. Kathy and the teacher had a hard time keeping them calm, they were so excited by it. We moved her to the farther end of the Blanket so she could visit with those children too, and she rolled around by them as well. She was a very mobile baby today! When our time is up, we go around the circle to each child again as they sing the goodbye song.
One of the things I like about roots of empathy is that the children's questions and suggestions are alway treated as valid, and not just dismissed, even if they seem silly. Even a suggestion of something that might harm the baby not "punished"; instead, the ROE educator will ask "what do you think would happen?", and help the child to see the possible negative consequences of such an action. The children never need to feel nervous or embarrassed about asking questions or making comments. This really strikes home with me because during my entire school career I was afraid to offer answers when the teacher asked, even if I knew the answer, because I was so scared I'd be wrong and embarrass myself.
Kathy also showed me today a book the children had made, about Why Babies Cry. Each child had a page, where they had written their answer and drawn a picture. By far the most common reason given was a dirty diaper, but there were also: injury, hunger, loneliness, tiredness, nightmares, and others. It was cool to see that they were thinking about the reasons behind behaviours, not just the behaviours themselves. I think this is a big part of what the program is about; putting yourself in others' shoes (hence the name, Roots of Empathy).
After the classroom visit, we had lunch and did a little Christmas shopping with my mum, met dad at Costco, then went home. I finally convinced baby to take a nap, albeit by cuddling her until she went to sleep (so much for sleep training...). Then dinner, a bath for baby, and off to bed. Now I'm snuggling with my dogs before I too, head off to sleep.
Best wishes
P.S. Did I mention we dressed baby in a Santa suit and hat for her visit today? So cute! The kids loved it.
No comments:
Post a Comment