Your Teaching Practice Reflection
How do you feel when you are changing diapers? How do your feelings about diaper changing influence your interactions with children during this routine?
I view changing diapers as an essential part of caring for an infant/toddler. I know that for some infants and toddlers, this can be the worst part of the day. Many infants and toddlers do not like getting their diapers changed because it takes them away from their playtime. I view diaper changing as a time to interact with students and provide security. I think that changing diapers (although it’s not the most fun thing to do) is an important factor in showing children you care for them and will continue to take care of them throughout the time they are in your care. I think that my feelings towards diaper changing help students feel more comfortable and will ultimately make the process take less time. I think that my feelings about diaper changing influence my interactions with the students because I view this time as one on one time with the child. I can talk and interact with the child and give them the undivided attention they need during this time. Ultimately I think I am able to grow closer to the child because of my views on diaper changing.
How do you feel when a child has a toileting accident? What do you say or do? How does this make the child feel?
When a child has a toileting accident I view it as an accident. I do not think that the child who had an accident wanted to have negative attention drawn to them as it could be embarrassing and uncomfortable for the child. It also takes the child away from their playtime for a longer amount of time than it would have to just use the bathroom. I believe that the child is still learning and I remember that even some adults have accidents. I treat the child with the empathy that I would want to receive if an accident happened to me. When this happens I say to the child, “It is okay that you had an accident. Were you having too much fun playing? Let’s go to the bathroom and get you cleaned up.” I would not say this in front of other students because I do not want the child to feel embarrassed. Instead, I take the toddler aside and take care of the situation in private. I think this makes the cleanup portion of the accident easier for the child. It also opens a line of communication between the toddler and the caregiver. I think the child would feel safer with an adult that didn’t shame them on their accident than they would with an adult who yelled at them for having the accident.
What do you want to teach children about their bodies while they are learning to use the toilet?
When teaching children to use the toilet I believe it is important to use the correct terminology when describing their bodies. Although the children are young and the other terms sound “cuter” I think it is safer for the child to know the correct terminology when referring to their body. I ultimately think this could also protect the child if they are ever in a bad situation and someone is referring to their body parts. Toddlers also become more interested in their bodies and their body functions as they are learning how to use the toilet. I think explaining to them what their body is doing and why could be helpful for their curiosity.
