OUR FIRST DAYS IN KINDERGARTEN – DIARY Examples from teacher�s diaries
Monitoring log 5- Croatia
Monitoring log 6- Croatia
The boy was enrolled in a kindergarten at the age of 4,9. He was used to the home atmosphere surrounded by adults only, so at the beginning it was hard to approach him. We gave him time and space to observe and explore the new surrounding. In the first 2 weeks the presence of a father and grandfather was an obstacle to get to know the boy better and to gain his trust.
By the end of the first month we started to build the confidence and emotional connection which is crucial in the first days of adaptation
The second week the boy`s grandfather was in the group with him. The boy is really close to his grandfather and again we couldn`t approach him properly.
We recommended that grandfather leaves the room for 2 hours and waits for a boy outside which he agreed to do.
The progress then was huge because the boy learned to ask the teacher when and if he needed anything.
By the end of the second month of adaptation, the boy is fully adapted and intergrated in the group. Mostly plays in a group of 3-4 children but doesn`t initializes the game( follows). He communicates with teachers and peers and expresses himself verbally
Child M. V. girl( 3,6) – 1. week
crying and calling for mother accompanied with dramatic verbal and nonverbal cues( drops on knees and yells " Please call mom!"), eats but asks to be fed because she mushes the food,
communicates with teachers / not communicate with peers.
Girl is emphatic, gentle and compassionate. Oriented on the teacher and adults. She needs encouragement to realise relationships with peers, to create interest for others, to accept others and to create affiliation and sense of community.
After we shared our information with parents we found a common ground on further care. Parents are very content with our care and they are trying to help us how they can.
Final observations:( third month) Continuous involvement in all activities. Child is sometimes oriented towards the adults. Child feels safe towards adults and peers. Girl has successfully adapted and aware of herself and environment.
12