Aussie Childcare Network Forum

Hi,
I am stuck with questions 4 and 7 from the below case study and not sure if the ones i have answered are correct, any feedback or guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

Case Study 2
Chris, the educator, is organising the children in the 3-5 year old room to go outside to play. He says to a small group of children playing with clay, ‘Would you like to pack the clay away now, please?’ Cooper (aged 4 years 6 months) says, ‘No thanks!’
The service does not offer a simultaneous indoor and outdoor program, therefore all children are to transition to the outdoor area.
Complete the following:
1. Why do you think Cooper said no to Chris?
Answer : I think Cooper said no to Chris because he thought it was a question and that he had a choice! And ofcourse he was enjoying playing with the clay.

2. What could Chris say to Cooper to encourage his cooperation to pack away the clay before going outside?
Answer : Chris could say, “Cooper, we are all packing up now, it would be great if you could help as well and then we can all go together to play outside. If we pack away the clay safely now we can play with it another day.

3. What might Chris say to the other children to acknowledge their choice to pack away the clay?
Answer : Thank you everybody for helping me with packing away the clay, the clay is all safely put away for another day, you must all be very proud for doing such a great job.

4. What two choices might Chris offer Cooper so that he can make his own decision about his play?
Answer : The choices Chris could offer Cooper would be :
- ???

5. What natural consequence might occur if Chris allows the children outdoors without packing away the clay?
Answer : The clay could dry out and not be used again therefore the children would miss out on playing with it again.

6. Would you consider Cooper’s behaviour as concerning? Why or why not?
Answer : No, I do not find Coopers behaviour concerning, I think children are always trying to stretch the boundaries, Chris should have given clear and concise instructions, helping Cooper to make the correct decision about packing away and not confusing him thinking that he had a choice.

7. Make a list of actions you would take to guide Cooper’s behaviour.
Answer : ???
-

Very good responses! Well thought out!

What two choices might Chris offer Cooper so that he can make his own decision about his play?

Since Cooper is enjoying his play, you can setup the clay experience outside for the children to continue working with... A choice could be:

"Cooper I can set the clay up outside for you to continue playing with or you can have a go at the obstacle course I set up for us to do outside"

Make a list of actions you would take to guide Cooper’s behaviour

.
- Instead of telling Cooper straight away that he needs to pack away give a 5 minute warning to the children when it's time to pack away, then 3 minute warning then a 1 minute warning, then maybe ring a bell or play a pack away song so the children know it's pack away time.

- Give Cooper a choice such as "you can pack away the clay now then you can play with it again when we come inside or if you choose not to, you'll have to find something else to do".

Hope this gives you some ideas,

,
Lorina

Thank you very much