Observing children as they arrive at the nursery can tell us a lot about how they are settling in. Lets watch Jody as she arrives at nursery.
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Jody is 27-months-old and has been attending the centre for the past six weeks. Her mother settles her at the sand tray before leaving. Jody sits at the sand watching the other children enter the room, she has her giraffe in her hand and is rhythmically stroking it with her thumb. Her other hand is resting in the sand tray, which she is also rhythmically stroking with her thumb.
Other children are playing in the sand tray Jody watches the children before moving to the water tray, she has left her giraffe at the sand tray. She then moves back to the sand tray.
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Click the button below to read our analysis of what happened. Is there anything you missed or did you pick up on something not mentioned?
Jody may appear to be settled when her mother leaves but she is still in her transition zone. Sitting at the sand tray with the comfort of her giraffe, she is taking time to watch what is going on around her and familiarising herself with her surroundings.
When she is ready, Jody moves from her safe watching space to an activity where she wants to play. What made Jody chose the water tray?
Here she voluntarily leaves her comfort toy at the sand tray.
Depending on what you have already recorded about Jody you might note that she appears to be coping with her transition into day care and watches as her mother leaves without any obvious problem.
When she is ready, Jody is able to decide what she wants to do and purposefully makes her way to the sand-tray, she voluntarily sets the giraffe aside to play with the sand.
Her transitional object (giraffe) is never far from her and her stroking action indicates a need for comfort. Jody’s strategy - to sit and watch for a while before venturing towards a play area further confirms that she might benefit from more support through this transition.
Jody’s play is appropriate for her stage of emotional development at this time and in this situation.