Fond 3- Week 1
Last September, you came to UOIT for your first class. How have you changed from one year ago personally and professionally? What challenges did you experience as you transitioned from then to now? How did you deal with those challenges?
I feel that there has been a great growth for me personally and professionally. The BEd course was full on and often challenged me to get out of my comfort zone and learn new things and do new things. The sheer workload was challenging and I was able to find new strength to complete work at the highest standards.
2. Now consider the wide range of students with diverse needs entering Kindergarten for the first time (for PJ TCs) What challenges might your students face as they transition to/from various contexts?
Students coming into kindergarten can often bring with them a great deal of anxiety and fear as the full day school system is a new concept to them. That paired with rules and new people that they are not used to can make the experience even more daunting. Most of the new students may have had an adult assisting them at all time up till now so the new found independence and lack of assistance for every task can come with excitement and fear.
3. How will you as a potential Kindergarten teacher support your students transitioning to Kindergarten? Kindergarten teacher need to be aware that this experience of full day school can be both exciting and fearful. It is a depart from one to one adult assistance and routine less days. It is vital that as teachers we make this experience as open and easy and ensure the student feels safe.
Many children may also lack the social interaction so it is important that we ease students into it and not force students into situation they are not comfortable with. I believe it is important to allow student to have free play and have verity of different activities.
4.How will you support parents whose children are entering Kindergarten?
I believe Parents also have a great deal of anxiety about their child starting FDK. I believe it is important to always have the parents informant and involved where possible. I would strongly encourage parents to attend any information sessions. I think its also important to inform parents on a weekly bases what their child are learning and encourage them to talk to their child about what they have learnt.
5. How would you handle a comment from someone who thinks full day Kindergarten is just full day play and babysitting? What would you do so you could respond to this question in an informed and professional manner?
FDK gives children to develop vital skills such as fine motor, social, problem solving etc. in a safe environment under the supervision of trained teacher and early childhood educators. Children in FDK follow a curriculum that is designed based on the most recent researches on best practises for development. It equips children with a strong start to their schooling career.
6. Explore the Full Day Kindergarten program and determine what areas you need to understand more deeply. How will you learn more about your identified areas of need?
I feel I need to explore more into the pedagogies for FKD. FDK approach is very different form primary and junior so I feel I need to gain a better understanding on the different pedagogies, play based approach for FDK. The curriculum does outline the pedagogies required but to get a better understand I would explore research papers to gain a better understanding on the best research based pedagogies that are effective in FDK.
7. After exploring the various resources related to the unique needs of Kindergarten, what is your key take away? Why?
FDK provides children with the core foundation skills they will need throughout their lives. The curriculum is designed with the newest research in mind. Vital skills such as critical thinking, citizenship, social and emotional are taught through a play-based approach. The activities and pedagogies used ensure they are engaged and effective
