Reference no: EM133552746

Case Study: This is what happened in Shala's room. The children are 24-36 months old. Shala arrived at the child care program when free play was just starting. Four children were playing in the water table beside Shala's partner Johia. The table was away from the wall with blue food colouring and several containers inside. Johia was asking the children if they could fill the containers with water and dump them back in again. Several of the children were laughing as they dumped the water back in the table. Johia commented to the children, "I really like the way you pour the water slowly and quickly back into the table." Shala leaned over the table and commented to the children, "You all look like you're having fun! Remember, when you're finished here wash your hands and join us for snack." Slowly, Johia had the children take off their aprons and wash their hands and join the other children at the snack table. She said, "You all played really well at the water table. I will open it again this afternoon.

Question: What are the differences between the two early childhood educators' reactions? How did setting up the environment, observing the children, and joining in the play make a difference in the situation?