Reflection Of A Practicum Placement

This is my first practicum placement in the Lethbridge community and in a daycare centre. It has given me a different, but good experience from working in a Parent Pre-School Program (PPP). This placement is different from my last two placements, because it has allowed me to gain more experience with younger age group of children. The placement still gives the children the opportunity to learn through their play in play areas of language, art, water, sand, blocks, and kitchen (dramatic play). They also, have the ability to provide additional play areas, such as infant play, play dough, train set play, and outdoor/gym time to exercise their gross motor skills. The placement is a bit more structured by offering a time schedule of outdoor play,

I am still learning the creative process of planning play areas and how to be resourceful with gathering my materials. I just planned a play area in the water play area for the first time on infants’ washing/hygiene. I was able to borrow materials from my practicum placement, in the ECE lab beautiful junk containers, and with the help of my sister who works in a dentist office that was able to give me free children toothbrushes. The children appeared to enjoy using the toothbrushes, washing and rinsing the baby dolls, and pouring water into the bottles using the cups that were

The Child S that has little English who is older was standing at the water table first and the other Child A, who is younger came over looking at what was in the water. Child S quickly grabbed a baby doll, a scrubby, a small yogurt cup, and placed the items in front of Child A. Child S picked up the scrubby and the baby doll and began scrubbing the doll in the air showing him. Child S picked up the small yogurt cup and filled it with water, and then poured the water over the baby doll. She placed all of the materials in front of the baby doll. Even though I didn’t understand what she was saying, she used her actions to explain to the younger child of what he could do with the materials that were offered to them to play with. I told her, “Thank you for giving Child A space and some toys to play with and showing him how to play with toys.” Instead of giving praise response I thanked her, and described to her of her actions in a positive voice to show her that she did something that was good. I was surprised, but in a good way that as a newcomer Child S was able to feel comfortable and have confidence to speak to the other children with her not being able to speak the same language. Child S has found ways to still communicate using non-verbal communications, and