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carolynalma
Reviews
Kindergarten (2001)
A documentary series of typical kindergarten activities and interactions between teacher/child, peer and group relationships
After over 35 years in the profession of early childhood education, I thoroughly endorse, applaud and praise this documentary. I trained future preschool teachers at a community college, and if I were still teaching, I would make all of the videos required watching.
Ms. Jennifer Vaz Johnson is excellent! She is the personification of "best practices". For the reviewer who disliked, some of the children's unscripted conversations, please know that they are typical. Preschool teachers are privy to countless insights into their young students' home-lives, secret thoughts and nagging concerns. This is why discretion, ethical behavior and confidentiality are so important in the teaching profession. Additionally, we generally avoid the use of euphemisms for body parts and biological functions.
The only objection I have about the series is that I have always advised my students to refrain from use of the adjectives "bad" and "good". No child should be locked into a stock behavior that often can become unalterable; thus, a teacher should be patient, try to understand the child's underlying reasons for all actions, and react in a positive and kindly-firm manner (especially when someone is being provocative).
Miss Johnson is the greatest example of an excellent teacher. I could have watched the goings-on of the entire semester! If anyone knows what she is doing now, please post.