The Portable Pediatrician, Second Edition by Laura W. Nathanson

Author:Laura W. Nathanson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins

Between teacher and child

Twos are particularly vulnerable to turnover of teachers. It may take days to weeks for a Two to become close to a new teacher. Or, just as bad, if turnover is frequent, the Two may choose either not to bond with any teacher or to be overly receptive to any adult.

Language learning is an essential task for Twos. Teachers are models and facilitators. A withdrawn teacher or a driven chatterbox can each be a problem. The teacher who engages her Twos in dialogue frequently, expanding and drawing out their ideas, is a teacher indeed.

Twos need frequent adult contact, both one-to-one and in small groups. Children rarely can be left on their own in groups to play for very long. The intervention of the teacher needs to be tactful and kind. Blame and justice have no place in a classroom of Twos. Shouting, labeling (“That was mean!” “Don’t be such a baby!”) spanking, slapping, or any physical punishment should be nonexistent.

Nearly all interactions between teacher and children should be positive and exceedingly tactful. A teacher who praises Jessica’s prowess throwing balls and Nicki’s ability to climb the slide, but who is silent in the face of Jordan’s block tower, has just criticized Jordan.

Putting Twos into a large group is unproductive for everybody. A brief circle time might be attempted, but lots of Twos will get up and wander, as is their perfect right.

The style of many Twos is still to watch closely while assessing a new activity, with frequent glances to their special adult to see what she thinks of it: is it safe, fun, gender appropriate, etc. Teachers who understand this important role are invaluable. They don’t hurry a child into participation, or project discomfort if the child’s activity seems to be unconventional for his or her sex, for instance.

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