Welcome Baby William!
Roots of Empathy will be a continuous weekly program throughout October 2014 - April 2015.
Visits will take place every third week .
(see the monthly calendar for details)
Visit 1 : Meeting the BabyThis week we met our Roots baby for the first time! We got to know all about him and what he likes and what he doesn't like. We learned what he can do now and what he's going to be able to do by the time he turns 1 year old.
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Visit 2: Crying
This week's focus will be on 'crying'. Why do babies cry? "Babies cry not because they're bad, but because they have a problem or they need help." We talked a lot about how crying is how infants communicate with us before they develop speech. We also touched on how you NEVER shake a baby and how being a parent is hard work and can be frustrating at times. The group was asked who would like to show us how to caringly hold and support the babies neck. How do you think baby William would like to be held? How could YOU comfort a crying baby?
Visit 3: Caring and Planning for Baby
This week's focus was on the diaper bag. "When Mommy goes out with the baby, she brings the diaper bag." Whenever a parent or caregiver leave home with baby, there are so many things they need and they're found in the diaper bag. Mrs. F showed us all the things she takes with her in her diaper bag to give William the best care when they're away from home.
Visit 4: Emotions
This week we talked about various emotions and how we and babies feel. Look at how HAPPY William is! We also explored the 5 senses and how we use them vs how babies use them. How can you cheer a baby up when they're sad? Mrs. F shows us by tickling and singing to William... He loved it! How can we cheer up a friend who's sad?
Visit 5: Sleep
William came in this week to teach us all about sleep... or maybe the lack there of. We learned that babies need more sleep than one who is in Kindergarten and that adults may need even less. We talked about the safety involved in putting a baby into bed. Babies always are put to bed on their backs.They cannot have any pillows or stuffies in the bed with them due to suffocation. Mrs. F showed us how she puts her baby to sleep.
We also learned that William is almost crawling! He just started trying this week. We made some predictions as to how fast we think he will learn. All babies learn at their own pace and we're going to patiently await his new milestone.
We also learned that William is almost crawling! He just started trying this week. We made some predictions as to how fast we think he will learn. All babies learn at their own pace and we're going to patiently await his new milestone.
Visit 6: Safety
As William becomes more and more mobile, we discuss the safety precautions that Mrs. F has to take to keep him away from dangerous situations. We talk about the big and little milestones and everyday situations. Can you leave a baby alone? NEVER.
William also teaches us the final steps to object permanence. He is now fully aware that when an object is covered up, it's still there! Peek-a-boo:)
William also teaches us the final steps to object permanence. He is now fully aware that when an object is covered up, it's still there! Peek-a-boo:)
Visit 7: Communicating
Visit 8: Who am I?
Today we discussed the importance of being unique. Everyone is special and we are to embrace who we are... but who are we? We went into depth about William and his milestones. We reflected on his time with us and all he has accomplished and celebrated his successes. There are many ways we are the same as William and others, but many ways we are all different too.
Visit 9: Birthday Celebration / Goodbye Wishes
Today is bitter sweet. We celebrate baby Williams first birthday and we say goodbye. We thank Mrs. F and baby William for coming in to our classroom each month and teaching us what it's like to be a kind and empathetic young person. We have all blossomed and watched each other grow into these kind beings we are today and the experience has been memorable to say the least!