Advocacy Assignment

Not Enough Adult Interaction on the Playground

Target Audience: Children

I chose to advocate for teacher-child interactions on the playground

because its something Ive never personally witnessed in a center. Over

time, Ive observed at three approved childcare centers and each of them

lack teacher-child interaction on the playground. I have seen teachers gather

around, I have heard some of them talk about the children, Ive heard some

of them talk about personal matters, how hungry they are, even childrens

families, or tend to their cell phones when they think no one is watching. I

will admit that teachers watch the children from afar and intervene when

they believe necessary but they do not have positive, intentional interactions

with the children. I learned about having positive and intentional interactions

from each of the course texts, the Intentional Teacher and Powerful

Interactions.

Specified by the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct, (I.19) Its important to

advocate for and ensure that all children, including those with special needs,

have access to the support services needed to be successful. For children to

have successful support services, this requires teacher-child interactions

indoor and outdoor. Advocating for children influences change, and could

possibly bring decision makers to a position of having to act.

As a student teacher, one way to advocate for children could be to

model teacher-child interactions on the playground during outdoor free play

where the classroom teacher can see. Get on the childs level, ask them

about what materials or equipment they are using on the playground, or join

during pretend play activities. Throughout the day, the student teacher could

mention to the classroom teacher the specific interactions that took place on

the playground. You could mention what you did, that you got down on the

childs level, asked them open-ended questions, joined during free play, and

other specific details. If necessary, this could also be brought to the

directors attention.

When I get comfortable at a childcare center where I am employed I

would still model teacher-child interactions on the playground, but I would

possibly approach the teacher(s) personally and have a conversation about

the benefits of teacher-child interactions on the playground. I would explain

the importance of indoor and outdoor interactions. Playing inside or playing

on the playground, each teacher-child interaction holds the opportunity to be

positive and powerful. The playground is not the break room or teachers

lounge and I would do my best to advocate this for childrens benefits.