20 November 2018. Written by T Liz.

Asalamo Alaikom Farida. Over the last few weeks I have seen you
helping other children in lots of ways. On the 2nd November you
were a teacher’s helper in the Nursery. Teacher Farah explained
we were going to make some handprints and asked if you could help
her. “Yes” you replied and showed the younger children how to
plaint your hand then push it onto the card to make a handprint.
The younger children all watched you and Aya tried to copy you.

You looked like you had fun playing in the water trough on the 19th
November. You helped Fayrouz pouring water into containers then
tip the water onto the water wheels and watched them spin. You
saw Ayah filling a watering can. You helped her by holding out a
mug for her to fill with water. Ayah filled that container with
water, then you held out another one until Ayah had filled that one.
You spent a long time helping Ayah fill containers, until her
watering can was empty.

Today I saw you creating a piece of art using chalk, a sieve and
some paste. I explained how you needed to put some glue on the
paper so that the chalk would stick. I showed you how to use the
sieve to make chalk dust and sprinkled it onto the paper to make
patterns. “Teacher I can do it” you told me so I gave you the glue
brush, the sieve and the chalk. I watched as you brushed some glue
onto your paper, then put the brush back into the glue pot. You
picked up the sieve (that you had put on the table) with one hand
and picked up a piece of chalk with the other hand. You slowly
rubbed the chalk over the sieve and watched chalk dust falling out.
You listened to Fayrouz, who was sitting beside you say “I want the
pink one”. You rubbed the chalk over the sieve a couple more times
then quickly handed the pink chalk to your sister.

What Learning Occurred?

Farida’s learning pathway for this term is increasing the ways she
can contribute to a group. Her leadership skills are increasing as
she models how to use equipment, such as the paint brushes, when
she is a teacher’s helper. Farida is developing initiative to look for
ways to help others, which is a wonderful life-long habit. Her
understanding of processes involved in some experiences, like the
art, is growing as she tries new experiences. Farida’s knowledge of
ways she can care for her sister, such as sharing the chalk, is
deepening as she demonstrates her understanding of empathy. Pai
mārika (That’s great) Farida!

How can we Extend this Learning?

We can support Farida as she continues to increase the ways she

can contribute to a group by inviting her to lead activities and/or
routines.