Field Practicum 3 Responsive Planning Template Date: October 23rd, 2013

Initial Anecdotal Observation: (What you saw and heard today at field practicum)

Child Children Environment Early Childhood Professional Families Other

Name: Emma Johnson

Record a descriptive observation focused on one or more of the following areas: 1. Child(ren) 2. Environment 3. Early Childhood Professional 4. Families 5. Other -Write only what you saw and heard (e.g. experiences; situations; conversations; questions; interactions).. -Record non-verbal communication, such as body language, facial expression and voice tone. -Use detailed, specific language (Who, What, Where, When). -Remain objective by omitting your opinions.

Age Group: Parents - Prenatal Observation 1: My cooperating teacher has asked me to provide an experience for the parents before the group session. So far, I have done two craft experiences, a cooking experience, and a healthy-eating accompaniment piece. The goal of these experiences is to provide something for the parents who arrive at 1:00 (the program starts at 1:30), help cut down on off-topic conversations during the presentations, and to supplement their learning about being healthy during pregnancy. Observation 2: During last weeks nutrition class, I noticed some parents doing stretches and leaning on support surfaces, such as counters and the backs of other chairs. After a quick discussion with my cooperating teacher, she agreed that the parents could benefit from doing some light exercises like these together as a group.
Dialogue & Reflections: This is the process of how you make meaning from what you saw and heard in your initial observation. Use the prompts to the right and your course resources to support your process.

Use specific examples from your observation to consider: CHILD(REN): - What key developmental domains and skills are the children using? - What do children find interesting? - What do they seem to know? - What do they talk about? - What do children do with materials? - Who do they interact with? - Group dynamics types of play - Considerations of individuals within the group - Diversity (Refer to glossary & course resources) ENVIRONMENT:

From this observation, it would seem that some quick exercises at the beginning of the class could help the parents supplement their healthy lifestyle learning, as well as giving them an opportunity for discussion before the class. In order to successfully do this plan, I would need to know about both the benefits of exercise during pregnancy, and the risks so that I can ensure that my programme is both beneficial and safe. According to KidsHealth (2013), the benefits of exercising during pregnancy include

relieve[ing] backaches and improve[ing] posture by strengthening and toning muscles in [the]back, butt, and thighs and strengthen your muscles to prepare you and your body for birth. According to KidsHealth (2013), risks from exercise during pregnancy are minimal if they are not engaging in vigorous-intensity activities, and exercised regularly before becoming pregnant. Mothers who were not fit before should begin slowly, consulting their doctor as they increase their daily physical activity, and stopping if they experience dizziness, heart palpitations, or shortness of breath. Reid (2013) advises that expecting mothers listen to their bodies and their tolerances, warning mothers not to push themselves too far. Reid also notes that pregnant mothers have an increased caloric need, and a decreased maximal heart rate. KidsHealth (2013) and Reid (2013), both advise that mothers start with low-impact flexibility and cardio exercises. They both recommend dancing, walking, yoga, and stretches as ideal exercises for beginners, with increased speeds, durations, and frequencies as time goes on, with doctors consultation. Because of this research, I believe I should assemble a short (10 15 minute) itinerary of minimal-impact stretching exercises. During these exercises, I should be reminding mothers to listen to their bodies and to not push themselves (for example, if we were doing toe touches, I would say and if your body doesnt want to go all the way down, bend as far as you feel is comfortable, and keep your arms up over your head).

- How might the following factors be influencing what you observed (i.e. enhance or limit behaviour): a) space (e.g. elements of design), b) time (e.g. time of day; pacing and duration of experience) & c) materials (e.g. accessibility; quantity; quality; safety; diversity; etc)

For my responsive plan this week, we will be doing some low-impact exercises. This experience will start at about 1:00, when a few of the parents have arrived. I will introduce this experience by speaking about the benefits of exercise during pregnancy: better posture, strengthening muscles to help them stay mobile during pregnancy, as well as to prepare their body for the birthing process. I will encourage the parents to get up out of their chairs, and will take on the role of instructor as I lead them through the following exercises:
1. Ceiling Stretches (3 reps of 10 count) 2. Walking in place (

Record your plan: - What will you do (invitation? Or provocation ?) - With whom? - Where will it take place? (learning area? indoor/outdoor?) - When will it take place? (time of day? how long/how often?) - What materials and resources will you use? - What is your role? What teaching strategy(ies) will you use? Explain how this plan is responsive and inclusive: Factors you might consider: development, diversity, the importance of play, the value of relationships, other etc. Cooperating Teacher initials

As mentioned above, as we exercise I will remind the mothers to listen to their bodies and only do what they feel comfortable doing. After we have finished, I will talk about continuing exercise throughout their pregnancy, as well as the importance of consulting their doctor before taking up an exercise regime. This experience should end around 1:20, at which time the nurse will take over for her food demo.
Follow-up Observation & Reflection: This is what happened when you implemented your planned response and what you have learned from the experience.
What happened? o What did you see? o What did you hear? o How did the experience support your anticipated focus (refer back to Dialogue & Reflection)? What did you learn (e.g. childrens abilities and skills; group size; material choices; use of time and space; etc)? What might you do differently next time you engage in a similar experience?

Cooperating Teacher Comments:

Signature:

Date:

References:

KidsHealth. (2013). Excercising during preganacy. Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_center/staying_fit/exercising_pregnancy.html Reid, D. (2013, July 9). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://running.competitor.com/2013/07/injury-prevention/exercisedos-and-donts-for-expecting-mothers_46684