Something that I learned as an early childhood educator over the years, is the importance of taking time for observation. It is easy to get so caught up with the plans and activities for the children, but I believe it’s the time spent observing how the children participate, their conversations, their interactions and their progress from week to week, that is more valuable.

When I taught a group of three and four year olds many years ago, I remember thinking how they are considered as always part of the “in-between age”—not totally independent but a mixture of both– being dependent and independent (sometimes all in a few minutes).

I also recall how easy it is to overestimate what these children can do and to expect too much as well as underestimate them and to open up too little physical, social and intellectual opportunities for their growth.

That’s why I feel we should learn how to Keep a Watchful Eye — Enjoy Your Child As He Is! At our Rhythm, Rhyme and Story-Time sessions, we’re taking time each week to share our observations and rejoice in each child’s development. Of course we are mindful not to compare children against one another, but to appreciate their noticeable achievements of progress from week to week.

One of the games we play is the Two Part Directions Game. Can your toddler follow simple directions such as “Pick up the apple and bring it to me?” Can your 7-9 month old pick up a cup by its handle or pull a string to bring a toy attached closer to him? At 12 months can he hold a toy in one hand and manipulate another toy in the other hand? Let’s just enjoy the children and find new ways to celebrate our observations.