A day in the life of an Early Childhood Teacher

Summary

Max Christie, an early childhood Kaiako at Northland Childspace, shares insights into the role of an educator and learner in early childhood development. Emphasizing the importance of relationships, observation, and freeplay, Max discusses the collaborative planning process and the focus on nurturing skills and values like empathy and manaakitanga. The script highlights the daily rituals, the significance of being a respectful and playful guide, and the impact of the job on both children's lives and the educator's personal growth.

Takeaways

• 👋 Max Christie is an early childhood Kaiako at Northland Childspace, emphasizing the role of an educator and learner.
• 👶 The role of a Kaiako involves stepping back to learn from children and responding to their interests rather than dictating what they should learn.
• 🤝 Kaiako's work is about building strong relationships with children, families, and fellow educators for successful early childhood education.
• 📚 Freeplay is considered an essential part of education, fostering children's self-development and independence.
• 👀 Observation plays a significant role in Max's job, identifying children's needs and mediating conversations to promote verbal communication.
• 👫 Max encourages children to be independent learners and values teaching alongside them, focusing on empathy, aroha, and manaakitanga.
• 🍴 Daily rituals such as meals and nappy changes are part of the routine, with Max also helping older children with toilet learning.
• 🕗 Max's workday includes various tasks from greeting children in the morning to closing the center, with a focus on getting to know and assist the children.
• 🎓 Becoming a qualified early childhood educator requires tertiary education, either a three-year course or a one-year course for those with prior study.
• 🌟 Max finds joy in the job due to its impact on children's lives and society, and it has helped him become a more playful and self-aware person.
• 🧑‍🏫 The ideal Kaiako should be capable, caring, fun-loving, creative, flexible, and committed to children and families, with patience for reading books multiple times.

Q & A

What does the term 'kaiako' mean in the context of early childhood education?

In the context of early childhood education, 'kaiako' is a term from the Māori language which means 'educator' or 'teacher'. It emphasizes the role of the educator as not only teaching but also learning from the children.

How does Max Christie describe the role of a kaiako?

Max Christie describes the role of a kaiako as being an educator and a learner, taking a step back to learn from children, responding to their interests, and building strong relationships with children, families, and fellow educators.

What is the significance of freeplay in early childhood education according to the script?

Freeplay is considered an incredibly important part of education as it helps children develop their own sense of self and independence, allowing them to explore and learn at their own pace.

What is the importance of observation in the role of a kaiako?

Observation is crucial for a kaiako to understand what children need and when they need it, to mediate conversations between children, and to ensure they use words to communicate their ideas and problems.

How does the script suggest children should solve problems with each other?

The script suggests that children should use words to communicate their ideas and problems with each other, rather than resorting to physical means to solve conflicts.

What values does Max Christie emphasize in early childhood education?

Max Christie emphasizes values such as empathy, aroha (love), and manaakitanga (kindness and generosity), focusing on teaching children to be good human beings rather than just academic learning.

What are the typical daily rituals in the early childhood center described in the script?

The daily rituals include meals such as breakfast at nine o'clock and lunch around eleven, afternoon tea, a late snack at five, and rest or sleep for younger children after lunch.

What are some of the tasks a kaiako might perform during their shift?

A kaiako might perform tasks such as greeting children in the morning, helping with meals, assisting with toilet learning, and ensuring children have a safe and enriching environment for freeplay and learning.

What traits does the script suggest are important for a kaiako?

Important traits for a kaiako include seeing children as capable and confident members of society, being caring, fun-loving, creative, flexible, and committed to children and families.

What is the educational background required to become a qualified early childhood educator according to the script?

To become a qualified early childhood educator, one must study at a university or polytechnic for three years if they haven't studied before, or complete a one-year course if they have prior education.

How has the job of a kaiako impacted Max Christie personally?

The job has made Max Christie a more playful person, encouraged adventure, and allowed for seeing things from different perspectives, ultimately helping to get to know himself better.