Vargas- Kidwatching

I chose to read “What is Kidwatching?” (Owocki,G & goodman, Y., 2002) mainly because I wanted to become more familiar with the concept of “Kidwatching”. I learned that it’s simply taking the time to observe and learn about my students and their differences. In doing so I can determine how I can best support their needs.

The other day I translated a conference for a teacher where the student was struggling in reading and the teacher asked him what kind of books he was most interested in reading. The first grader responded that he liked books about cars and snakes. Here is an example of how the teacher is taking the time to get to know her student in order to help his needs. The reading explains that the more a teacher learns about her students through kidwatching the better able she is to individualize and fine-tune her instruction.

Something else in this reading that I think is important to recognize is that through kidwatching you also have a chance to learn about the student’s literacy history and how their families contribute to it. While they may not contribute to their literacy history in English they do contribute. Some families actively involve their children in reading the mail, listening and telling stories, helping with the shopping, and translating applications and office visits.

Last, while observing and documenting children’s knowledge the reading states that it is ok for students to make mistakes. Allowing errors does not equate with negligent teaching. In fact, teachers who “don not allow errors to occur… don not allow children to think” (Ferreiro and Teberosky 1982, 218). I guess in this case the old saying “you learn from your mistakes” is a perfect fit.