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Really Seeing Children: A Collection of Teaching and Learning Stories
A collection of teaching and learning stories to inspire an everyday practice of reflection, observation, and joyful presence with children. See 2nd image for details.
- GenresEducation
170 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
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June 28, 2020I think I’m going to stop using the star system for my academic reading.
I LOVED this book. As someone who also has had experience in childcare I felt like this book was made for me. It made me want to call my old boss and say, “Hey I think this should be something that is encouraged for the other caregivers to read.”
It reframed some of my own perspectives on interacting with children and reinforced some of the other ways I would interact with them.
*SPOILERS*
One of the things that was a great piece of information was when she talked about how not allowing children to ever engage in risky behavior (with supervision of course) can later cause them an inability to make decisions in adulthood because she says children have the ability to access risk. Learning for themselves helps build their confidence. Of course this is in no way advocating letting your tiny children play in the road when cars are driving around, but it does mean things like climbing trees are a very fun and formative childhood experience.
Speaking of the outdoors, the book also talked about the importance in children growing up in nature. I am a firm believer in the earthing movement that talks about the health benefits in being barefoot outside (safely). She talked about how with the advancement of technology and the cultural shift in how dangerous we see the world has led to a new generation that’s mostly being raised in doors. We don’t know what effects this will have but I think it’s interesting the think about. I know being outside and in the sun light has very positive affects on my mental health and I want to make sure I give my children one day a life full of the outdoors.
I also really enjoyed the part of the book where the author talks about presence and how children are sensing and feeling so many things for the first time that they have the highest state of presence. As we grow older and interact with children we don’t always slow down and try to see a situation from their perspective. Sometimes we go in with our adult quick assessments and completely miss the mark.
Overall, I think there were just a lot of helpful insight and even if you’re the best caregiver in the world I think we could all use reminders.
I LOVED this book. As someone who also has had experience in childcare I felt like this book was made for me. It made me want to call my old boss and say, “Hey I think this should be something that is encouraged for the other caregivers to read.”
It reframed some of my own perspectives on interacting with children and reinforced some of the other ways I would interact with them.
*SPOILERS*
One of the things that was a great piece of information was when she talked about how not allowing children to ever engage in risky behavior (with supervision of course) can later cause them an inability to make decisions in adulthood because she says children have the ability to access risk. Learning for themselves helps build their confidence. Of course this is in no way advocating letting your tiny children play in the road when cars are driving around, but it does mean things like climbing trees are a very fun and formative childhood experience.
Speaking of the outdoors, the book also talked about the importance in children growing up in nature. I am a firm believer in the earthing movement that talks about the health benefits in being barefoot outside (safely). She talked about how with the advancement of technology and the cultural shift in how dangerous we see the world has led to a new generation that’s mostly being raised in doors. We don’t know what effects this will have but I think it’s interesting the think about. I know being outside and in the sun light has very positive affects on my mental health and I want to make sure I give my children one day a life full of the outdoors.
I also really enjoyed the part of the book where the author talks about presence and how children are sensing and feeling so many things for the first time that they have the highest state of presence. As we grow older and interact with children we don’t always slow down and try to see a situation from their perspective. Sometimes we go in with our adult quick assessments and completely miss the mark.
Overall, I think there were just a lot of helpful insight and even if you’re the best caregiver in the world I think we could all use reminders.
May 8, 2020
As I am now beginning my journey as a classroom researcher, this book really helped me understand the steps I need to take on the start of my journey. Deb Curtis uses amazing real life examples of from all kinds of classrooms.
I love how this book talks about a huge amount of topics, including nature, children's relationship with food, planning environments to reflect children's ideas, self regulation and so many more topics. This is one of the most detailed books about being an ECE ever put together. Its like it takes the best parts of other topic focused books I've read and brings it all to one place.
If you are an ECE, veteran or recently graduated, this is a must read. This should be on every ECEs list to read. It is fantastic and covers so much.
I love how this book talks about a huge amount of topics, including nature, children's relationship with food, planning environments to reflect children's ideas, self regulation and so many more topics. This is one of the most detailed books about being an ECE ever put together. Its like it takes the best parts of other topic focused books I've read and brings it all to one place.
If you are an ECE, veteran or recently graduated, this is a must read. This should be on every ECEs list to read. It is fantastic and covers so much.
September 5, 2019
Love the ideas on creating a learning environment / open ended toys.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews