Field Observation and Reflective paper 1

Rebecca Escutia
11-02-16
Field Observations and Reflection Paper Part #2
HD 450 Reflective Teaching
Hacienda/La Puente Cohort

Field Observation and Reflective Paper

Field Observation and Reflective paper 2

I have been observing a few children who have been expressing challenging behaviors

throughout the daily routine. The first child I observed is a three year old boy with limited

speech. He is a Hispanic child who lives with both parents and siblings. Child participates in

parallel play with peers and prefers to fully engage with adults in classroom. During choice time

the child was at the table with teacher making a wallet out of construction paper. Four peers took

interest in what the child was doing and began making their own wallets. Child asked for help to

draw lines and help with cutting. Child shifted grip from left to right hand several times and tried

cutting with scissors alternating between both hands. He helped clean up with much prompting

from teacher. The money and wallet activity helped the child with his fine motor skills using

scissors and writing utensils for writing on money and wallet. The activity helped promote social

skills by sharing objects with peers and communicating to teacher what he wanted. More

money, make wallet, help me.

The second child I focused on was a three year old boy who is a dual language learner.

This child is Arabic and french who lives with mom. Parent is a single mother who rents a room

from a friends home. This child exhibits active, and aggressive behavior towards peers in class

and teachers. I have tried many different strategies to try and meet the needs of this child. One of

these strategies was altering the daily schedule. Child was showing highest moments of

aggression during nap transition. Child would run around class, throw objects across the room,

scream and yell making it difficult for the other children to take their naps. When teacher would

approach child he begins to kick teachers, pull hair and hit with closed fists. To try and meet the

needs of this child I switched my outdoor play from 9:00 am to 10:15 am. At this new time child

will come inside for lunch after outdoor play and then transition to nap time in hopes to burn

energy and help diffuse activity level and aggression.

Field Observation and Reflective paper 3

One day during choice time child was having a tantrum because the area he wanted to go

to was full. Teacher redirected him to another area and he threw himself on the floor and began

to kick, scream and cry. Teacher guided him to the library area where he can express his anger. I

approached the library area from a distance where I can have visual contact of the child. He

began ripping papers off the wall, throwing books and kicking shelf. I walked into the library

area to try and calm him down. Child began to kick me, I removed shoes so avoid getting hurt. I

acknowledged childs feelings and told him if he wants to kick and hit he can do so on the couch.

Child began hitting couch and then laid on floor crying. I approached child again, picked him up

and sat him on my lap holding him close to my while hugging him to apply pressure and restrain

his arms from hitting me. I asked him to take some deep breaths with me telling him to breath in

and breath out. After three cycles child had calmed down, allowed me to put shoes back on and

continued with the routine.

I find myself feeling overwhelmed, helpless and stressed out at the end of the day. I was

given approval to send child home the moment child hits. I sent child home all five days in one

week. Even though sending child home makes my day easier, and allows me to focus my

attention on other children, I realized I am not helping the child by sending him home. I decided

to keep him in the class and work with him during these challenging moments. I began to reflect

on his living conditions, family history, and culture to help me get a better understanding of the

child and his behavior. Allowing child to self-regulate if needed and offering child water to help

distract his thoughts to regain his attention. I have requested a weighted object to help apply

pressure to help him during large group time and nap time.

My strengths as a teacher is my sensitivity towards the children and families I work with.

Making myself available to meet with parents to gain information about children that can help
Field Observation and Reflective paper 4

me during class time, as well as attending the needs of the parents and making them feel

welcomed. Another strength I have is communicating with all staff in the classroom and share

any concerns or suggestions we have come across to ensure consistency from throughout the day

with all staff per children needs.

An area I would like to further fulfill for my class this year is learning more about the

Arabic culture. I know very little about this culture and I am only aware of the information mom

has shared with me. I believe having a better understanding of this culture can help me

understand my student better offering more opportunities to come up with more strategies to use

in the classroom.