Healthy Kids • YMCA Child Care • YMCA Volunteers • YMCA Youth Programs
5 must-know tips for ECE students completing their placement
28 May 2018 - by YMCA of Greater Toronto
It’s placement time! As an Early Childhood Education student, you have the opportunity to contribute to the positive environment of your placement child care centres by sharing your unique talents and passion for working with children. You play an important role, and we want you to have all the tools to do your best and have a great experience!
With that in mind, here are five tips to help you bring your A game during your ECE student placement:
Instead of waiting to be told what to do, read the program plan ahead of time and come up with your own ideas for games and activities. Embrace leadership opportunities and the chance to bring your ideas to life with the group.
Get down at children’s level when you’re playing! This makes you much more approachable, and shows the children that you aren’t too busy for them. You will be able to show that you are caring and therefore be in a good position to respond to their needs.
Make sure children and families know who you are. Families will appreciate that you took the time to introduce yourself to them. After all, they are leaving their child with you! Introducing yourself to the children is the first step towards building relationships.
Share your goals for your placement as soon as you can. By presenting your goals, the ECEs at your centre will see that you are taking charge of your own learning. Continue to have ongoing communication with the classroom educators, including discussions of your experiences so far. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get clarification. Also, read your evaluation materials before your placement to understand what is expected, and ask questions if you have any doubts.
This is your chance to lead and embrace fun, quality play experiences. Be imaginative, resourceful, spontaneous, and always look for opportunities to spread the spirit of fun and education. Be a leader that all children can look up too. There is nothing better than seeing children’s eyes light up when you walk in the room!
This post was created with contributions from Crystal Sotelo, Melissa Unus, Sonia Tavares, & Melissa Beharry.
The YMCA provides hundreds of student placements each year. If you are interested in completing your placement at the YMCA, fill out a volunteer application. In the “First volunteer position preference” on Step 3 of the form, enter: ECE student placement.
With that in mind, here are five tips to help you bring your A game during your ECE student placement:
- Think like an Early Childhood Educator.
Instead of waiting to be told what to do, read the program plan ahead of time and come up with your own ideas for games and activities. Embrace leadership opportunities and the chance to bring your ideas to life with the group.
- Don’t be a giant.
Get down at children’s level when you’re playing! This makes you much more approachable, and shows the children that you aren’t too busy for them. You will be able to show that you are caring and therefore be in a good position to respond to their needs.
- Get to know the kids (and their families).
Make sure children and families know who you are. Families will appreciate that you took the time to introduce yourself to them. After all, they are leaving their child with you! Introducing yourself to the children is the first step towards building relationships.
- Communicate, communicate, communicate.
Share your goals for your placement as soon as you can. By presenting your goals, the ECEs at your centre will see that you are taking charge of your own learning. Continue to have ongoing communication with the classroom educators, including discussions of your experiences so far. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get clarification. Also, read your evaluation materials before your placement to understand what is expected, and ask questions if you have any doubts.
- Have fun!
This is your chance to lead and embrace fun, quality play experiences. Be imaginative, resourceful, spontaneous, and always look for opportunities to spread the spirit of fun and education. Be a leader that all children can look up too. There is nothing better than seeing children’s eyes light up when you walk in the room!
This post was created with contributions from Crystal Sotelo, Melissa Unus, Sonia Tavares, & Melissa Beharry.
The YMCA provides hundreds of student placements each year. If you are interested in completing your placement at the YMCA, fill out a volunteer application. In the “First volunteer position preference” on Step 3 of the form, enter: ECE student placement.
