Documentation Examples > Examples of documentation to aid teachers' own reflections

12/16/05 - This is 9-month-old Kafia's first day with us. In the classroom, she crawls around the room, seemingly comfortable exploring the space and materials. The children play around her, sporadically handing her a toy. On a few occasions, Routh covers her eyes to play "peek-a-boo," and Kafia smiles. Outside, the children are in the field, running and throwing balls. Kafia is in the stroller. Routh runs up to her off and on and repeats the "peek-a-boo" game. Like earlier, Kafia smiles.

Harold, who has been throwing balls and running with Fadja, notices a ball close to Kafia's stroller. He drops the ball in his hands, picks up the other ball and places it on Kafia's stroller in front of her. Kafia looks at it, but doesn't attempt to move. Harold picks up his ball and continues playing with Fadja.

Shortly after, I push Kafia's stroller and jog behind Harold and Fadja. Harold and Fadja run and laugh. "We're gonna get you," I say. Kafia laughs, kicks her feet, and moves her arms up and down.

1/11/05 - This is Kafia's 4th day in class. On her 3rd day, she was recovering from an ear infection and clearly not feeling well. She cried frequently and gestured to be picked up by teachers. The children paid little attention to her.

Today, the teachers have been carrying Kafia or sitting with her on the floor and playing. When I put her down by herself on the floor to attend to another child, Matthew immediately moves toward her. He has been playing the piano on the other side of the room, and he brings the piano with him. He sits next to Kafia and begins playing.

Harold, who has been playing with his father in the kitchen area brings over a pizza. He breaks off a few slices and hands them to Kafia and Matthew.

Harold moves back to the kitchen area where his father is calling him to come and play. Mathew continues to sing and play the piano while Kafia watches on.

1/13/05 - Fadja walks up the stairs and Kafia crawls to the steps following him. Fadja notices Kafia behind him, smiles and turns around.

Smiling, Fadja bends down and touches her hair.

For the rest of the morning, Fadja periodically moves to where Kafia is playing and touches her hair, pats her on the back or studies her face.