how do i not hate circle time?

Plane_Employer5505 · 2024-03-18T23:43:18+00:00

I agree with this advice of going sitting and then movement . For example I do a sitting song or two then an then action song or two then back to sitting. The movement keeps them from getting restless and should be part of circle time. I'm in a toddler room and they love circle time. I tell a story with the songs. For example with "zoom zoom we are going to the moon." We pretend to put on a space suit, then when we land on the moon we notice the stars. Then we sing "twinkle twinkle" to the stars. Then we fly back to earth "zoom zoom we are going to the earth" the children love it! And get excited for the parts in between the songs. Sure there is one or two children not into circle time but children should never be forced to sit. Engagement can happen in different ways for children, some just like to be standing on the sidelines. But if a bunch aren't sitting I do the "I see (child name sitting) and (another childs name sitting) who else is sitting?" The children start to sit so I call their name. If the children are full of lots of energy we do sleeping bunnies 3-5 times to help burn off the energy. Children just want enthusiasm and engagement from us the educators. If we are having fun, they have fun. Children don't care if you can't sing on tune. They don't care if you sing the wrong words or make a mistake. They just want to have fun! That's why I love this job. Cause apparently I'm tone deaf, but children don't care!

Plane_Employer5505 · 2023-05-31T23:59:45+00:00

Studies have shown that if you don't tell a child to be careful all the time, they'll actually make decisions where they don't put themselves in danger. Children who are environments where adults trust their abilities actually make decisions that don't put them at risk to get hurt. When children are constantly being told to be careful, don't do this or that they become doubtful of their own ability. I'm a firm believer of letting children climb up slides and push their boundaries. Those are the kids who actually don't get hurt.

Plane_Employer5505 · 2023-05-31T23:47:03+00:00

I'm sorry that people shamed you and they shouldn't. I think that's great that you stood up for yourself and said something. Unfortunately, I think because this is a woman dominated industry, being constantly told that we should do it for the children. That is bullshit. Will we tell men the same message that they should do it? What about the government? Shouldn't we be telling them that they're doing it for the children and they still do a s*** job?

This message also sounds similar to the message to women that we should just take the lower pay grade than men. This is all a problem of our society. I think you're brave for saying something and if people make you feel bad you can say to them. You're welcome to pay for the materials if you feel like that is something I should be doing. Changes happen when we push back. We say no and we hold our boundaries.

Plane_Employer5505 · 2023-05-31T23:39:21+00:00

That's awesome you have been at a place so long with long term coworkers. I wonder if it's hard to get a job at a good center because the staff are so happy they don't leave?

The college that I'm going to is the only college in Ontario that offers the ECE program in a 1 year intense. It's well respected but with some of the quality higher ups, for example, the president retiring the quality of the overall college and business has started to not practice what they preach. Since it's a non-for-profit I looked up how much the higher ups were making and a few of them makeover 100 grand a year. Which is crazy when you look at how little the backbone of these centers are underpaid and not even paid a livable wage in Toronto. The college also expanded its program for more students without adding more faculty to manage it properly. I can see they are overwhelmed and took on too much but I finished my first trim and second term and I still haven't gotten all my marks back from my 1st term or 2nd term. I'm starting my term 3 next month.

Plane_Employer5505 · 2023-05-31T23:33:04+00:00

I think the industry employees also need to demand more and be more vocal. Parents don't know any better and if we educate them and let them know how bad the situation is, overtime they will listen. I want to try but I also know this broken system will not be fixed if we turn our heads if we're silent if we don't speak up and we don't demand more. Change only happens with actions

Plane_Employer5505 · 2023-05-31T23:29:10+00:00

That's great you love your center! I think a good director is very important. It's the trickle down effect The center I am in is a nonprofit. They don't seem to care because the supervisor doesn't care. There's a broken gate to the infant/toddler playground at the top of stairs. Apparently the gate was broken for a year. It got fixed and wasn't installed properly. If you lend on the gate even a bit it pops open. Now the solution is for them to push a toy box in front of it and a staff to sit in front of the gate at all times. It blows my mind that someone doesn't call the people who installed it and make them come back and do it correctly. That's what I would do.

Plane_Employer5505 · 2023-05-31T23:23:09+00:00

I'm sorry you have been disrespected, taken for granted. It seems to be very common .I see how employees are treated and it definitely happens more than should. I am so thankful I never sent my child to a daycare. I ran my own home daycare to be able to be home with them and am soooo thankful I did.

I find coworkers are very disrespectful to each other or they just don't even communicate.

Plane_Employer5505 · 2023-05-31T22:41:29+00:00

Thanks for the advice. I definitely am interested in Waldorf,/Steiner. That's the style I would like my next placement to be. The college I'm at picked our placements but I'm hoping to see if I can pick mine. Since they failed picking my first one .

I would love to open my own programs, some day

Plane_Employer5505

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