Naming Dispositions: Ideas That Matter

Abstract

In the span of a day in child care, many moments happen. Some moments go past without a thought, others linger. In this presentation, Kaitlin makes visible a moment between two children that reshapes how she thinks about relationships among children and with families. Educators notice and name when they observe children and look at those moments to reveal a deeper meaning. Naming children’s dispositions to learn helps educators see children as citizens in their communities. Putting these concepts to work is challenging in the busyness of a day and moments of disequilibrium, but through reflections, educators find meanings that nurture and strengthen their relationships with families.