In the following vignette, I describe an interaction I observed between Melissa, a kindergarten teacher, and two children, Lucy and Tricia, as they explored the science cen- ter. Melissa used this everyday interaction
to help the children practice and strengthen self-regulation skills.
I sit quietly in a corner, observing Lucy, a kindergartner with a moderate speech and language delay. The children experiment with clay and rocks, water and blocks, and dirt and seeds. Their teacher, Melissa, moves among them, using her presence, words, and actions to direct the children’s attention and helpthem stay motivated and engaged. Melissa makes her way to the water table where 5-year-old Tricia constructs intri- cate waterways with plastic blocks. Lucy leans on the table, watching silently.
“What are you doing, Tricia?” Melissa says as she pulls up a chair and sits next to the table.
Tricia focuses intently as she repositions a block then straight- ens and looks at Melissa, “I’m making the water go fast!”
Putting her hand in the water, Melissa smiles, “Wow, it is moving fast! May I play?”
“Sure!” Tricia nods.
Melissa turns to Lucy, “Want to play with us?” Lucy nods and Melissa hands her a block, “Where do you want to put it?” Lucy looks down and shrugs.
“Lucy, try putting it here.” Tricia points to the next hole in the path.
Lucy hesitates but takes the block. She tries putting the block in an empty space, but it doesn’t fit. Lucy rests the block on the side of the water table and looks down. Gently rubbing Lucy’s back, Melissa asks, “Do you need help?” Lucy nods. Melissa leans in and whispers, “Tricia’s been
doing this a lot; why don’t you ask her how to do it? I bet she could show you.”
Lucy looks up at Tricia, “Can you help me?”
“Sure!” Tricia takes Lucy’s hand and positions it over the next space in the path. “Okay, push hard.” Lucy leans on the block, pushing, but it does not go in. Tricia moves closer to Lucy. “Push really, really hard. You can do it!” Lucy, lips tight and determined, pushes the block hard into the hole. Water swirls around it as a smile spreads across her face.