Toddler Snapshot

Child; Lilliana aka Lily

Age; 2 years

Placement; Toddler Room

Observation:

It is water day. Lily is at the water table with a measuring cup in her hand. She fills the cup up with water
then walks to the grass to dump the water out. She does this three more times before picking up the
water hose on the ground. Her teacher says to “put it down,” she does and then goes to back to the
water table. At the water table she picks up a funnel and fills the funnel with water. She then walks the
funnel to the grass to dump it, oblivious to the water pouring out the bottom of the funnel, and after sits
the funnel at the water table. Lily walks to a different water table and gets ahold of a measuring cup
different than the one she had earlier. She fills the cup with water and pours it on herself. Lily then walks
to her teacher and says something unclear then runs away with the measuring cup in hand. She runs to
the big playground (meant for older children), runs to the water table, runs to the big playground, and
then back to the water table this time empty handed. Lily sticks her hands into the water table and plays
with the funnel briefly before running to the sprinkler. After standing near the sprinkler she jogs towards
her teacher but stops half way and runs to the grass. She then runs around the outside area before
running to her teacher to tell the teacher she is cold. Lily’s teacher tells her to “go stand in the sun,
we’re going in soon” but Lily replies no. She stands next to her teacher for a few seconds then says she
will “go find Momo,” Momo is another toddler teacher who was outside with her class for water day as
well. Lily walks towards Momo but passes her and goes to the big playground. Momo tells Lily to get
down because she is wet. Lily makes her way back to her teacher, walking. She stands next to her
teacher and says something that is mostly unclear but you can understand her say the word “towel.”
She then walks towards a toy chest and plays with the lock that is on it. Lily then takes a few steps to a
bucket of water under the wall where the water hose begins (the bucket is catching the water that is
dripping from the hose connected to the wall). Lily’s teacher says “please do not touch,” then asks her if
she wants her towel. Lily replies “yeah, I cold,” she is then wrapped in her towel by her teacher. Lily
stands in the same spot before going towards the gate too look at what she says is a bug. She then walks
towards me and stands by me briefly before walking five feet ahead towards the water table. Lily’s
teacher starts to take her towel (as the sprinkler reaches the water table) but Lily refuses then walks
away from the water table. After walking with no direction in mind, Lily goes to stand by her teacher
with her towel still wrapped around her. She stands closely, almost under, her teacher and stares at the
other children playing then focuses her attention to Momo. Lily then drops her towel but tries to get it
back up around her and when she can’t do it, she gives the towel to her teacher. Lily still stands near her
teacher but averts her eyes to the bucket of water under the hose connection. Lily’s teacher holds the
towel out, asking Lily if she wants it back, then wraps it back around her. Lily quickly unwraps the towel
and drags it behind her. She then pulls the towel towards the hose and her teacher says “no please.” Lily
drags the towel towards the classroom door and shakes it.
Reflection:

Lily seemed to be shy outside. It was a little chilly so I would credit weather to her lack of play during
water day. She didn’t talk much to other children and self entertained. I think that the age gap between
her and her older sibling is significant enough where they don’t include her in play or they aren’t able to
play as much (like having to do school work). Lily didn’t talk much outside of small words and phrases to
her teacher.

Implications for Teachers:

It would be beneficial for Lily if her teachers talk to her more, it would help her language development.
It would also be beneficial if there were more activities where Lily would play with another student to
help her social interactions.