October
October 8, 2025
We went on a bike ride around the community, TWICE! We had a blast, children had so much fun they kept saying AGAIN! believe me, I would’ve loved to go again, but it was starting to sprinkle and the children were getting cold, but when we came back to the Daycare, they wanted to go again, but I couldn’t because of how cold they were getting. I got used to riding the bike easily enough that I ended up speeding …slightly.
October 7, 2025
Lets visit the farm for Thanksgiving!
I am pretty proud of my project here. One at a time the Children were able to take out one animal and ask what does the (animal) say? I mentioned the animal in Statimc; what I could, I’m still learning the language. After the animals, I did a song on Cheryl’s behalf because she was busy getting her project ready. Song is called Leaves are Twirling in the tune of “Are you sleeping?” to make it fun, we twirled and floated like leaves. To continue to stall, I sang a song “If you’re thankful and you know it”, same as “If you’re happy and you know it” song.
October 6, 2025
When I showed up in the morning, it became an emotional day. I’ll tell ya, it was a tough one, but we pushed through. The day was like an emotional regulation day. The schedule was to go for a walk, which was a good idea for everyone and very much needed.
It’s a Monday for sure!
We went for a walk to look for leaves to pick for Cheryl’s project the next day. It was a little difficult to find a place to find different colored leaves, but I was glad my me lead me in the right direction since its been a long time since I walked the community. The walk was a good idea since it was a Monday.
After the walk, the day calmed down after the children’s nap time. The day was mostly spent on free play and outside time. I helped clean up the rocks that have been spilled over outside the box, there was a lot of it, too.
The reason for the pickup was because the rocks prevented the grass from growing, so after a while, there were patches of dirt here and there, but I was happy to help, but its still not done.
October 1, 2025
Truth and Reconciliation
We had circle time in the play area. I have to admit, it was a little challenging because the children wanted to play, but after a while they came to the circle because they were interested in why I brought my drum out. While the Children had their drums out, I showed them how I warmed my drum before I started to play, I asked them if they can hear their drum and listen to it, put it to their ears and cheek to ask the drum, is it saying its warm? they said no, then they copied me by warming up my drum and asked again, they said yes, so I said, we are going to sing the welcome song. After, Cheryl did her song and we let the children have their free play.
Really nice that you could share this with the children. Often instruments are just brought out and not given any direction. If everyone just banged their drum it would lose the cultural connection you wanted to make.
Empathy?
Three boys were on a trike each, but the only girl who had a smaller trike, didn’t want to ride her, I tried to talk to her and do some breathing exercises, but with no avail, she continued to have a melt down, So I asked my mentor if i can set a timer on the three boys and maybe put two of the trikes away, she said it was up to me. So, I grabbed the smaller trike and placed it on the other side on the gate and went to the boys, I’m going to set a timer, and we are all getting off the trikes, One boys asks why, So i set the timer and showed them, again, the same boy asked, why? I said, because our friend wants a turn you boys arent sharing, ahe already asked and you said no, and you’ve been on them for a long while now, and im going to put one of them away. So, the boy who asked why said he can give her his bike, he got off and said she can take his, so she became excited and said thank you. We all were in awe! it was perfect to witness. and then one of the other boys watching the whole thing said she can have his bike. AWE! she ran to his bike and said thank you, we praised both the boys for being so kind and sharing.
I turned my timer off at that moment, they went off to play.
This is a great example of empathy in the making! So often we are so busy trying to make them share that when it happens we are surprised. I think we need to just assess the situation and tell the children what you see. Try not to shame and blame but just describe what is happening instead….then see what happens.
Candy.
The boys were playing trick or treat, running out saying trick or treat, who wants candy? and they gave up candy, this went on for a while, I don’t know how many handfuls we got.
It got out of hand, they got REALLY hyper.
It was time to go inside and get them ready before their family came to get them. I tried to stop the boys multiple times, but every time I went down to their level, they had this crazy look in their eyes. I just stood up and walked to my mentor and she laughed, cause holaaaaay. We waited by the door but eventually they came inside. Then parents cam to pick them up, whew!
What do you think was happening for the children? Why did you want to control it? Who really had the problem? If we just model that it was time to go inside and wait by door I wonder if they would have complied? Or if not is outside not the best place for this kind of crazy energy? There is no right or wrong approach but we need to stop and reflect about what was going on and was it really important to stop the behavior? Who were they hurting? Was it just that they were not listening to your directions?
September 29, 2025
We went to the Preschool, children were having free play, then I noticed some children looking for something, so i asked them what they were doing. They are looking for ants. I helped and when I found one, it was tiny and they came and squished it. …ok.
Great opportunity for a learning moment about life and death in a simple way. What might you do or say next time if this happens again? Of could revisit once back at the center to talk about ants, bugs or even hurting others.
September 26, 2025
I had a talk with my supervisor/mentor in the morning about what was bother me concerning one child, I also spoke to my mentor the 24, my class 25, so that I may get some advice. and it was nice to know I wasn’t alone. I was reassured I did great by telling my mentor I had to step away from the child because it felt like I was policing the child, following trying to get the child to do something that they needed in order to do what they wanted at that time. It was frustrating me, and it felt like I was in mom mode, using my authoritative voice, and we were taught we cant just pick up the child and make them do what we need, we can only pick the child up after we told them if you aren’t going to get down, you’re going to have a ride down (for their safety). If I were to come across this moment again, I just need to let my mentors know and they will step in. WE ARE A TEAM!
Great learning Stephanie that you are not alone in this situation. Asking for help is a good strategy when we feel frustrated and making a situation worse. In the end good teaching is about relationships so when we feel that we are “policing” a child then we need to back off and ask ourselves what is happening and ask for help.
Cheryl and I were given the opportunity to change the settings in the daycare. We had fun changing the room around for the day, we had the whole place to ourselves. We didn’t think of taking pictures until it was too late. Cars were brought out, dramatic play with a kitchen, a quiet corner because the feelings can be too much sometimes, moved the snack tables so we all sit together to eat.
Really like the environment you have created in the classroom as it feels comfortable and cozy! The paper with trees and leaves makes it feel like Fall!
Our last project for the day. Cheryl came up with the idea that we should make a poster and make it look like the children are playing in the fall leaves, so we printed and laminated the leaves and glue them to the poster. I decided I wanted trees painted on there making it look like you’re looking up to the trees as if you were laying down with the changing colors of the leaves.
stay tuned, we will be adding children from the daycare to the poster.
Love this idea and look forward to seeing the finished photo!
Sept 24, 2025
Imagination play
I kept my distance and watched them play. they played very well together. The topic of play was Zombies.
Field trip to the Fire Station in Lillooet
We took two trips down to the station because there was no bus driver, but it went smoothly, some parents were also able to help with the children, children had fun getting the grand tour, we all got to witness one of the firefighters demonstrate how they put on their gear and on their test, they have 1.5 minutes to have all their gear on. It’s also true they have a beeper that goes off if they stop moving for 30 seconds, this is how they know someone is down, the sound gets louder and louder until someone rescues them.
Interesting information to learn about fire fighters!
Children were showed the nozzle for the hose, and that there are different kinds, they were allowed to hold it (with help cause its heavy) and pull the leaver back to see how it opens and closes.
I was excited and eager to get into the fire truck, I think more excited than the children. Asking for permission, my mentor shoed me to go and have fun! I didn’t get the picture yet of me and Chrissy sitting in the fire truck.
At the end of the tour, they showed us the ladder, how it gets up and down from the truck, Children and Adults watched with AWE. It was a good laugh when one of the children said AGAIN! It’s true, we could have watched it over and over again all day.
Not sure who had the most fun that day!
September 23, 2025
Play Date!
We went over to the Preschool where we had a play date. 15 children all together. I had fun learning the preschooler children’s names, and I’m not so great with names at introduction, but I will get it one day.
I played with a scale with one of the children, I had to show them how to use it, there are numbers that weight the same as the number of penguins you put on there, and after some back and forth. He decided to just use the penguins, and after he put one on, I pointed to the other and asked, what happens if you add one on the opposite side, he was surprised and again added another on the opposite side and again, I asked him, what would happen if you added another to the other. He began to understand, he did this for a while back and forth until he wasn’t interested anymore.
Good observation Stephanie to pick up that he didn’t understand the concept of balance. Sometimes it takes just a few pointers for the children to begin to get it wth a scale like this.
September 22, 2025
Off to the youth group today and visit Cheryl at work
Its was a difference changing scenery for the day, children had fun playing with the youth children. With the new setting for the day came with different toys and activities. It was inspiring, talk about going on more outings with the children, what else is out there?
Yes, important for children to explore their communities. Always be ready to think about what the children might enjoy and the changing of the seasons on the land.
It was at the end of our day, one child started to play in the puddle that was made from a sprinkler that was made over night.
While playing with the water, he was blowing at it to watch the ripples, then splashed it with the string and dragging the string around on the water and he was pushing a tiny splinter with the string.
At the end of the day, the children started drumming, then i went to grab my drum and we started singing, not long after, Everette came in and had a big smile on his face. I said we’re singing, so he reached out for my drum, I gave it to him then he started to sing. I was so happy to have him sing for us. the children really enjoyed it. I asked him if he was able to come up sometime to sing for the children, he said he could, but his schedule is unpredictable.
I was just glad he sang for them at that moment.
Nap Time
There have been some struggles with it lately, one child in particular hasn’t been able to nap, but there have been a few times we had success. We give in to the child and let him come in to the play area and have some quiet time while we did some paper work or homework. So, it’s book and puzzles until children start waking up.
September 17, 2025
Bike ride!
Before the bike ride, the children were running around inside, we had to tell them walking feet multiple times, after a while of no listening ears, I had to stop them by putting my arms out to stop them and try to talk to them but they were too excited to listen, then Cheryl came and tried, but I didn’t want them to feel like they’re being ganged up on so i stood up and waited for Cheryl. Thankfully our mentors came to the rescue. BUT, I wasn’t happy with how I tried to get their attention, I asked myself what could i have done differently, that day I looked up what else I could’ve done.
Cheryl and I practiced riding the tri e-bike, it was nerve wracking at first, but after getting on and riding the bike, it got easy and fun.
I wasn’t able to ride the bike with them, Cheryl was able to. I stayed behind to do my homework.
Great learning and experience for both you and the children!
September 16, 2025
Take the Lead
Our mentors told us we need to take the lead since it was part of this terms practicum.
Cheryl and I had the responsibilities of directory, transitions, emotional regulations, paper check lists (annual/yearly) for the daycare
because of an emotional child, I decided I needed to come up with something to calm the child down. I looked up what I could and came with the feather. The feather is to help with their breathing. I would bring out the feather and tell her that this is to help with her breathing, so I brought it up and blew at it, she immediate stopped crying and started to blow the feather to see it float, she did this until I took it and put it in my pocket and asked her if she was ok and what was the matter in her words. My mentor responded with a nod and thumbs up. YES!
Nice calming strategy to share, important to be consistent and keep sharing as child experiences the different emotions.
The night before, I went on Pinterest to look at a bunch of crown ideas i could cut out, I didn’t want to do just one, so I made different kinds.
We made crowns after circle time. Our mentor directed us during the circle time because we were unprepared, but we were happy to learn.
Interesting how it feels to come unprepared versus when you have everything organized for an activity. Sometimes it is ok to come with just an idea but most things go smoother when we have material ready and thoughts of where and how you plan to implement an activity.
My idea for the crowns was about the beginning of school week, to make them feel that they were all important. I hope this was open ended, I put out the crowns and all the art activities they could add to their crown. I loved that the boy chose a heart crown, it was for his mom, I thought that was the sweetest.
While taking the lead, at nap time, we had to go through some paper work. While I was going through the files of the children, I read one of the children had CF (cystic fibrosis) I asked, and no one knew. So, I googled and explained, my mentors were happy that I told them because they wouldn’t have know that the child shouldn’t be around another child who has CF and we should keep an eye on her coughs (gets wet, more frequent, or painful) should be reported to the parent immediately, along with other things.
September 15, 2025
Practice to take the lead
For snack time, I brought dried apricots, plums, and tswan. The staff was very appreciative of that. I asked the children if they wanted any, only one child took interest in the dried fish.
Good that you tried to share and make sure to keep trying!
On our schedule for today was to go to the band office and take the children to play in the gym, they set up two small inflatable bouncy castles for them which was awesome. Something i never experienced before. I played with the children, we played tag, I had to ask if I was allowed in there, they said it was fine, so I was able to run in and out of there with the children. After, the children grew tired, they slowed down and I played pass with one of the children before we walked back to the daycare.
During nap time, Cheryl and I had to do some paperwork for Daycare, we had to look through the emergency contacts forms, make sure everything was filled and all the children’s information was in there, this was what we have to bring on our field trips and incase we had an emergency at the daycare like a fire.
Glad that you have been given this opportunity to understand all the ins and outs of running a program. Working with the children is the easy part and the one most people see but there is so much more underneath that is important.
On our way back from Titqet Band office, about half way back, one by one, the children ended up holding our hands instead of the rope. So, instead of everyone holding on to the rope, it was just my mentor and I holding onto it on the walk back. W e thought it was silly and had a good laugh about it.
Love it when something happens like this!
September 12, 2025
Walk to the community Garden
It was a really nice day to go for a walk to the Titqet Community garden. Cheryl got to lead the way and learn, our mentor guided her on what should be done on our walks.
While at the garden, the children liked walking in a big circle all the way around, lots of chatter from them and questions. We got to see and smell the fruit tress that were preparing to go to sleep for the season. and what they saw that was still growing.
What a wonderful neighborhood resource that is close and open for the children to explore.
On our commute back to the daycare, the titqet maintenance were driving by picking up for garbage day. they call it the garbage truck.
September 10, 2025
Drumming at Preschool
Daycare went to preschool for drumming. We did the welcome song to start off the beginning of the school in a good way. The children took the lead, which was awesome! We must’ve sang 3 songs before we put the drums away to have free time outside.
we went from stamps to finger prints.
We found a back widow, the spider caught a grasshopper, it was drawing it in and we watched in amazement, also trying to keep the children from touching it. We had to explain that those spiders were dangerous.
Hmm, wonderful ordinary moment. How could you draw on this if happened again?
September 09, 2025
I was given a task as a learner and teacher for the Daycare setting. Outdoor Safety Checklist. I did my rounds with the outdoor safety checklist and brought a few things to my supervisor/mentor’s attention–you know, little things that might need a tweak. She took it like a pro… but with a sparkle in her eye that basically said, “Challenge accepted!” (in the most fun and unstoppable way possible) honestly, it was kind of inspiring!
Love it when the students challenge the practicum mentors!
During outside play, I was watching some children play with the dirt, I went to seek shelter from the sun and watched them play, but I ended up playing on my own after a little bit, then a child came over to investigate. he then started to direct the play. We are now making sun castles, our tools were shovels and buckets. He had filled the bucket with dirt then flipped it over and said this was a castle, i then started to play along and help him with his castle, adding more dirt to the pile and he was wondering why the dirt kept rolling off and it wasn’t getting any taller. we sat there thinking, I was following his lead asking questions and then he started to pat it down then I helped by adding more dirt why he patted it down then noticed a difference, we continued until he lost interest and used his shovel to make a hole in the center, and just like that, we were done with the dirt.
Great example of letting child lead the play and by just being available
On our second day, nap time was a little challenging, after the other children went down for their naps, one in particular refused, but ended up falling asleep in the play area with us while we did our work.
Naptime is both a bonus and a challenge at this time of year. As children settle. into a routine it will be interesting to see how this changes over the next few months.
September 08, 2025
The start of my Practicum was like starting from the beginning since the children I did my last two practicum wasn’t with this group anymore, they have grown to Preschool and Kindergarten. Something I wasn’t prepared for, but I was happy to be apart of their lives, just for a moment.
I’ve also realized that this group was a year younger than last years Daycare, so the age was somewhat of a difference, but common at the age. Getting to know the children have been some challenges but its apart of both of our learning process. Who we are as individuals, coming out of our shells, and making new friends.
Good reflections to begin your learning journey Stephanie!