Toddler Talk A Peak Into Discovery’s Early Childhood Program Jessica Martinez, EC Teacher
I’m often asked what sorts of things I do with my early childhood classes, and my answer is inevitably met with a pause and an expectant look, mildly suggesting…Is that it?
My answer sounds so simple—the most important thing we do in early childhood is play. Play sounds fun, and it most often is. Play sounds easy, but for some children, it is not. Play sounds like the time during class when teachers can kick back and take a breather, but I assure you, this is never the case.
One morning I was seated near the kitchen area, and a two-year-old girl was busy cooking and passing around food to nearby friends. She handed a croissant to one boy and grapes to another. Each child took the food and pretended to eat it. Then she handed me a slice of cheese, and I said, “No, thank you.” She held it up to me again, and I said, “No thanks, I don’t really like cheese.” She looked at me like just said something impossible and ridiculous. “But cheese is yummy!” she said, handing it up again.
I love this moment because it’s a perfect illustration of something we do when we play in school—we learn how to be, and how others work. She did not think it was possible for anyone to think differently than she did, because if she thought cheese was yummy, why wouldn’t everyone else? I know I sound awful for refusing the cheese, but soon after I did, another girl asked if she could have it. The two cooked together and then brought me a plate of spaghetti, which I took happily.
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If you are intersted in Discovery’s Early Childhood Program, please contact Katie at katie.discovery@gmail.com.
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