Over the last two weeks I have been working at daycare center known as MJOCCS.The MJOCCS is an on campus daycare. Since the center is on campus they accept the student’s children first. There is a waiting list but if a student comes in they will be moved to the top of the waiting list so that there child can get in. The MJOCCS center has children from 6 weeks to 5 years old. This center is always open for observations and practicum students. While working at the MJOCCS I have been working in toddler classroom and observing Pre-K classroom. I think the Pre-K class is easier to work with and there special needs. I think it’s easier to see delays in the age group but when it comes to the Toddler aged children you can see the delays. Throughout this period I have interacted with the other teachers in the classroom and the director. They are wonderful there and have provided me with some very useful information.
One of my topics for my paper is on therapists and assessments. I learned a lot of useful information to help me with my paper throughout this class. During my observations I actually got to observe a therapists working with a child. During my observation I also noticed that the teachers were very concerned and open about what they could do to help the child along with the therapist. Throughout this class there is two special needs kids and there therapists come in twice a week. While interacting with the other teachers they told me how important it was to make sure parents are involved. They said it’s very hard to get them involved. One of the special needs children in the classroom received the therapy but there is no communication with therapists and teachers to mom. This child has been due for an assessment for a month and the child just know got the assessment because the mom wont corporate. The teachers believe the parent may not care or may even be in denial. I feel there is so particular reason to be in denial those are your children and you should try to help them to the fullest. The other child the parent at first was not completely involved. Recently they have chosen to do the right thing for there child and get help. The child is know receiving services and is doing fifty percent better within a short amount of time. I have never really got to observe a therapists working one on one with a child or even interact and talk to the therapists.
While I was at the center I also worked with the coordinator and Pre-K coordinator. Mrs. N and Mrs. K explained to me the steps and things they do to begin with the therapists. They do an evaluation and then if there are any concerns then they will contact the parents and go from there. After the parents give permission about getting the child assessed more they will move to the next step. The coordinators contact the therapists and they will began there process to help the child. I think this is a great center to observe and interact at. The people and children are so friendly and they help you so much. During this time I also got to work with Mrs. Kim, while she was doing the Pre-K assessments herself. I actually got to sit in Mrs. Kim’s office and observe her assess different children. During this assessment they were doing ABC’s, 123’s, colors, shapes, and letter sounds. They do an assessment at the beginning of the school year and at the end of the year. This allows them to see the child’s progress over a period of time. I thought it was neat to see how each child was different based on there assessments. Of course different children are on different levels but eventually they will all u reach there appropriate level.
