First Parent/Teacher Conference

Today was Evie's first Parent/Teacher Conference. Already? She's only 10 months old! At Evie's school they ask the parents to fill out a short questionnaire about their overall satisfaction and happiness in the program. The teachers complete a developmental evaluation form. Then the parents and teachers sit down and discuss each.

It was really nice to hear all that Ms. Teresa had to say about Evie. The best part was hearing how sweet she is towards other children. Every morning Mat prays with Evie before dropping her off at her classroom that she will shine Jesus to her teachers and friends. This is how we see God's answer. Her "best friend" has special needs and they sometimes have a brother/sister relationship. She teases him and shows affection by patting his hand and gentle touches to his head. He responds by screaming or laughing and follows her around. And just today she welcomed a new child in her classroom by playing with him and chasing him around the classroom.

Since she started there at 5 months old, I would hear little bits and pieces from Mat or from the teachers on the days that I would pick her up. I enjoyed getting a more detailed report of Evie's time spent at school. Below is what was stated in the report...

Daily Life: Sense of Security and Happiness
Evie is a very social child who doesn't have any problems of separation. When she comes in the morning, she knows her daily routine as waiting for her first bottle of the day and crawling to the table for her fruit and cereal.

The Child's Experience at the Center
Evie is able to entertain herself for sustained periods of time. She loves books (reading time and explore on her own). Evie got involved in any activity in her home base. She is also able to let her caregivers know if she likes or doesn't like the activity. (If she doesn't like the activity she just crawls away.) Evie relates to other children very well, seeking the company of the older ones to play alongside. Lately she is getting into a "strangers anxiety", so caregivers are trying to be close to her when a stranger comes in the room explaining to her about our new friend.

We also received a report of Evie's development in 6 domains: Sense of Self, Social Relations, Creative Representation, Movement, Communication and Language, and Exploration and Early Logic.

Sense of Self
-Takes interest in her reflection, especially facial expressions and the motions/actions of hands, fingers and toes.
-Can watch an object or person move out of sight, hold an image of it in mind and then move immediately to find it.
-Expresses choices through actions rather than words. Makes contact with the person/object she is trying to reach.
-Assisting in personal care tasks. Can hold a diaper, pair of socks, bottle to feed, etc.

Social Relations
-Exploring games with caregiver (chasing, hiding, teasing, tickling)
-Shows an awareness of another child's distress by comforting herself
-Conveys her feelings through physical contact
-Plays simple games
-Communicates with other children through sounds, wiggles, kicks and arm waving
-Interested in exploring a new adult as long as a familiar, trusted caregiver is close

Creative Representation
-Imitating by copying another person's action (lip smacking, clicking tongue)
-Babbling at pictures
-Explores simple materials (paper, blocks)

Movement
-Sways or rocks side to side to the music
-Moves an object along by carrying it in one hand while crawling
-Crawling
-Coordinates one hand with the other. Is able to hold an object in one hand, bring both hands together to hold the object, then release the original hand

Communication and Language
-Turns book pages
-Hears and recognizes her name and looks toward speaker
-Seeks out objects/person of interest
-Shows interest in stories by moving rhythmically and/or babbles along with story or song
-Babbling
-Exchanges sounds or gestures with another person
-Points to objects

Exploration and Early Logic
-Understanding that objects are distinct and constant entities with finite boundaries
-Persists in obtaining a desired object by removing a physical barrier
-Repeats an action to cause a pleasing outcome
-Exhibits preferences
-Uses 2 objects together (banging two blocks together or using a stick to beat the tamborine)
-Plays peek-a-boo