It is easy to know what a child wants or needs when they use their words to tell you. But children communicate with us in many different ways. Sometimes they use body language, smiles, their eyes, gestures as well as words.
Educators need to be able to read children's CUES and respond to the cues.
For example, educators need to read children's cues in relation to whether the child wants the adult to play with them or not. Educators need to read children's cues if they are behaving in a challenging way, to decide what the behaviour might be telling us. Is the child tired, angry, sad, wanting to be along, wanting to play? There are many cues.
Another way to think about reading and responding to children's cues is that it is like a game of tennis where the child serves and you return. Here is a great video about how to "serve and return" with children who are giving non-verbal cues.
Another good way of thinking about cues is to think about your cats Eleni and Sophia. They can't speak but they still communicate with you.
TASK: Think about these cues your cats might give you. Write down what the cues might mean. Can you think of some more cues? Write them down and what they might mean.
Hissing
Tail up and wagging
Tail down
Tail straight across
Miaowing loudly at the door
Tapping on the laundry door
Tapping on your bedroom door
Nuzzling your leg
Sitting by their bowl and miaowing
TASK: What could these cues from children mean? Discuss these with either your boss at work or with your coach.
Crying uncontrollably
Sitting with their back turned to you
Following you around everywhere
Always carrying a blankie
Throwing blocks at other children
Not eating
Sitting on their own
Sitting on their own every day
No eye contact
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