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The Importance of Listening
November 21, 2008
If we cannot disconnect, we cannot lead. Creating the culture of burnout is opposite to creating a culture of sustainable creativity.
-Arianna Huffington, co-founder of the Huffington Post
-Arianna Huffington, co-founder of the Huffington Post
"When teachers are listening and responding, children become animated and involved, their cognitive and creative processes are energized, and their belief in themselves is deepened. Something similar happens when children listen to one another.
"There is a particular image of a child associated with a teachers listening, observing, and responding: namely, teachers seeing that young children are natural inquirers. They have motivations to explore the world through direct interaction with it and through constructing some kind of understanding of what they are encountering. Further, they have a strong motive to communicate the results of their explorations and to receive reflections from adults and other children for their discoveries. Their communication can take many forms: talking, drawing, gesturing, role-playing, and so on. All of these contribute to their ongoing dialogues with teachers and peers. The more avenues of communication that are offered, the better.
"The most significant kind of interaction with the world for children of preschool age is in exploring their relationships with it. They explore their relationships with family, teachers, and friends. They explore sensory relationships with animate and inanimate objects. They explore the way objects, animals, and all facets of nature respond to their physical actions. They are explorers and researchers."
Beginnings Workshop Books provide hands-on staff development resources with a wealth of practical ideas on specific curriculum topics from leading authorities in the field of early care and education. Now you can purchase all eight of the Beginnings Workshop Books listed below for a discounted price of $153, or you can purchase them individually at $24 apiece.
- Literacy — Topics: Building Literacy, Talking, Multi-Language Programs, Bilingual Education, and Storytelling
- Behavior — Topics: When Children are Difficult, Positive Behavior Strategies, Conflict Resolution, Power Struggles, Anger, and Parent Perspectives on Discipline
- Child Development I — Topics: Meeting Children's Needs, Brain Research, Building Self Image, Children's Mental Health, Resiliency in Children, and Building Character
- Curriculum — Topics: Applying Brain Research, Math and Numbers, Science and the Outdoors, and Young Children and Technology
- Curriculum II — Topics: Art, Art Experiences, Music and Movement, Gross Motor Development, and Creative Dramatics
- Play — Topics: The Spirit of Play, Value of Play, Block Play, Make-Believe Play, and Play and Culture
- Child Development II — Topics: Fitness and Health, Nurturing Optimism, Nutrition, Imagination, and Humor
- Professionalism — Topics: Being Teachers, Professionalism, Caregiver Health and Safety, Mentoring, Observing Children, Collaboration, and Child Care in Unique Environments
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ExchangeEveryDay is the official electronic newsletter for Exchange Press. It is delivered five days a week containing news stories, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.
Put a sink where it’s needed most
In the classroom, or on the playground, it’s portable, self contained, and very affordable. Plumbing is NOT required. Have hot & cold running water when you need it where you need it. Ideal for hand washing with young children.
In the classroom, or on the playground, it’s portable, self contained, and very affordable. Plumbing is NOT required. Have hot & cold running water when you need it where you need it. Ideal for hand washing with young children.
Comments (2)
Displaying All 2 CommentsUnited States
. . . and why is it so difficult to SLOW DOWN - stop the multitasking even for awhile and listen to those around us????? The voices in my head keep reminding me of all the things I SHOULD BE DOING when really LISTENING is an action in and of it self - it honors and recognizes the 'other' with whom you are in relation.
DARE to AFFIRM
Pitman, NJ, United States
And Pleeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaase DON'T FORGET the PARALLEL PROCESS. It is NOT just about listening to the children and the children listening to each other; IT IS ALSO ABOUT THE 'BIG PEOPLE', the teachers and caregivers and parents, ALSO LISTENING TO ONE ANOTHER! It is about ALL of the VOICES involved in building the relationships.
Happy Thanksgiving to all and be thankful and full of gratitude for who you are and what you offer and receive from the world.
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