Using my words

24 May 2018. Written by T Liz

Asalamo Alaikom and Kia Ora Saloomi. Over the last few weeks I have been talking with Dad about your learning
pathway this term and how we have been working with you at preschool to encourage you to use words to
express your ideas. Dad told me he (and Mum) are working at home on ways you can express your ideas as well.
Today you watched as Malak asked me to write her name on her painting so it could be hung up on the art wall.
You made a funny sound and pointed to the same corner of your painting where I had written Malak’s name.
“Saloomi” I asked “Do you want me to write your name on your painting so I can put it on the art wall”? You
nodded excitedly then looked sad when I explained “You need to ask ‘please Teacher’. This made you so sad you
started to cry but I reassured you that I knew you could say the words. I suggested that when you were ready
you could come and ask ‘please Teacher’ and I would love to write your name on your painting and put into on the
art wall for all our friends to see. You walked away to play somewhere else.

This afternoon you showed me another picture you had drawn. You smiled and nodded when I asked you if you
would like me to write your name on it so we could put this picture on the art wall. I explained you needed to
ask “Please teacher” then I would love to write your name in the picture and hang it up for everyone to see.
Straight away you said “please teacher”, so I gave you a big hug and a Hi-five. I happily wrote your name on the
picture and hung it on the wall. Dad arrived to pick you up just as I was hanging your picture on the wall and I
was able to tell him about your great words today.

What Learning Occurred

Saloomi’s learning pathway this term is learning appropriate ways to express his ideas. He is developing ways to
convey his wants and needs using words. Saloomi’s understanding of the role of verbal communication in
meaningful conversation is growing. His listening skills are expanding as teachers give him the phrases he needs
to tell us what he wants. Saloomi’s confidence as a learner is growing as he observes what happens when he uses
the phrases teachers give him to meet his needs at that time. Ka nui ake tō mātauranga (your knowledge
increases)Saloomi!

How can we extend this learning?

We can support Saloomi as he continues to learn verbal ways to appropriately express his ideas by providing
him with modelling the phrases he needs at that time.