Spotlight Moment Award Winners – Q1
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SPOTLIGHT MOMENT AWARD WINNERS!
Workforce Solutions North Texas is investing $20,000 this year to directly support workers in the Child Care industry who demonstrate exceptional skills for quality child care.
Two infant to pre-K teachers are selected EACH QUARTER from across our 11 counties to receive a $250 award for demonstrating an exceptional understanding of the benefits of positive teacher-child interactions in the classroom.
30 additional teachers are selected EACH MONTH to receive a $50 award for actively demonstrating positive teacher-child interactions.
“I want to start off by saying thank for this opportunity. It has honestly made such an impact on my life. The question for this essay is why positive teacher child interactions are so important and I have what is my best answer for you.
I believe every interaction is important for a child because we never know. We never know the last time they received positive interactions from their parents, their friends, their families; We literally never know. As a young child I was the kid who never knew. I never knew if I was getting the happy parents or if my parents were angry.
As a child I just survived, survived on my own and survived for my siblings. My parents would disappear for hours up to days. Every time they came back all I wanted was a positive interaction, except I only got their rage. All I could do is wait until my alarms rang in the morning so I could get ready for school. I looked forward to seeing my teachers every day and coming to school. I was always greeted and only received positive interactions each conversation I had, what I longed for as a child.
I believe that it is so very important to always have a positive interaction with our children each day because we simply do not know. We do not know what happens once they step of our school sidewalk and head home. I only wish that every child waiting to come to school each day walks in and thinks to themselves how loved they are here with us no matter what happens. I will always do my absolute best to give children the positive interactions they are needing or wanting. We should praise our children and always motivate them; It’s their first time live too and they are doing their best.
As a young adult now, I am so grateful to be able to come to work everyday and really love what I do. Having the opportunity everyday to be someone’s positive light in their world gives me hope that we as teachers can provide positive light into our children’s lives.”
– Madison Truesdell, Olney CDC in Olney, Texas
“Positive teacher/child interactions are one of the most important parts of early childhood education because they create a safe, supportive environment where children feel confident to explore, communicate, and learn. Young children learn best when they feel respected, heard, and encouraged by the adults around them.
In my preschool classroom, I try to create meaningful interactions by participating in children’s play, asking questions, and guiding their thinking instead of simply giving instructions. For example, during a recent outdoor activity, the children explored sand while creating homes for desert critters using small animal figures. As they dug in the sand, they made caves, tunnels, and holes for the animals. I sat with them, talked with them about where desert animals live, and encouraged them to think about how each animal might find shelter.
Throughout the activity, I provided gentle reminders, encouragement, and support. At this age, children often need repetition and guidance to stay engaged and understand routines. By being patient and responsive, I was able to help them stay focused while still allowing them to explore creatively. The children became very excited when the critters were “lost” in the sand, and they eagerly searched for them, turning the activity into a fun discovery game.
Positive interactions are also important because children are very sensitive to the emotional energy of the adults around them. Children can quickly perceive whether a teacher is calm, patient, and encouraging, or stressed and frustrated. The way teachers interact emotionally with children directly influences how children respond and interact in return. Adults are responsible for modeling emotional regulation, because young children are still learning how to understand and manage their feelings.
When teachers respond with patience, warmth, and positive guidance, children learn how to interact positively with others as well. In this way, teachers help shape not only children’s learning, but also the emotional tone of the classroom environment.
Most importantly, positive teacher–child interactions build trust. When children feel supported and valued, they become more confident, curious, and engaged learners. That trust becomes the foundation for lifelong learning.”
– Areli Ramirez, Kiddie Kottage in Graham, Texas
