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In her article, "Seeing Children's Eagerness for Relationships," which is included in the Exchange Essentials article collection, Observing Children Part 2, Deb Curtis concludes...

"I continue the practice of always looking for children's positive social behaviors to document and make visible to them and to me.  I observe children working together throughout the room and document their activities through note taking and asking myself these questions:

• What specific things do children do and say that indicate they are connecting with each other and building relationships?
• How do they use objects or materials in their play to communicate their ideas?
• What challenges or conflicts occur?
• What do the children do and say to resolve their differences?

"I make these observation notes and photos into homemade books with titles such as "We know how to work together."  I include specific photos and details of what the children say and do that reflects what they know about working together.  I regularly read these books with the children, inviting them to add more ideas over time.

"What I've come to understand is that the most important work I do to see a child in positive ways is within me.  I must continually work to transform my own view of children's behaviors, see their points of view, and strive to uncover how what I am seeing reveals the children's deep desire, eagerness, and capacity for relationships.  There is no more important or rewarding work than this."

Exchange Essentials are the perfect platform for staff development and training that deliver the essential, critical information staff and students need. 42 titles are available for immediate download.

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