One of the most challenging aspects of playgroup is understanding that each group has different strengths and work together in different ways. Introducing group meeting to both the Wednesday and Friday group allowed me to see more clearly how these two different groups of children work as a whole group. The Wednesday group very easily fell into the routine of group meeting (three or the four children also attend school settings outside of playgroup) whereas the Friday group seemed uninterested in gathering in the manner I presented (one of the four children attends school outside of playgroup). Instead of continuing to proceed with group meeting I decided to take the time to examine more closely how the Friday group relates to one another and how they naturally come together without my influence. By understanding what naturally draws them together and see the ebb and flow of their interactions I can better present and engage the children in a more formal meeting time.
The following video highlights the children spontaneously coming together at the swing and working together toward a common goal; successfully pushing a friend on the swing. Even though Bryce and Kaia are a bit on the perimeter of the interaction they are still watching and engaging with the interaction. Bryce's enthusiasm spills over to Hannah and Kaia tries to coach Hannah on Sebastien's technique of hold on to one's foot to get a bigger swing when it is her turn inside the swing.
There is a lot of trust and negotiation that children use to work through pushing each other and my role becomes guiding the children to ask questions and speak to one another. Kaia is trying to communicate her needs to Hannah and Sebastien is trying to find a way to be able to push Kaia. Although the interaction seems so simple in it's execution, the children have a lot to contend with; how to push the friend, how high to push, how to make sure the swing doesn't hit one's body, all the while maintaining the fun and cooperative atmosphere.
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