Baby Crying and Teaching at Daycare

Abstract

The present paper aims at analyzing the (re)actions of both teachers and assistants in Preschool Education when faced with babies' cries in interactions held at a Municipal School of Early Childhood Education (EMEI) in Belo Horizonte city in the state of Minas Gerais, relying on the literature and the reference documents for Preschool Education in both national and local levels. This is a Master's study of qualitative nature that had to participate observation as its main method in a group comprised of 12 babies, 4 teachers, and 1 assistant. The observations, carried out over the second half of 2017, were recorded in a field diary as well as through video recordings. Based on the analyses conducted, the (re)actions of both the teachers and the assistant were grouped into two categories: moments of improved connection with the principles and goals of EI, and moments of tension and contradiction with such principles and aims. Given the complexity of care and education work in daycare, we recommend either conducting further research on babies' expressions and the attitudes of teachers and assistants and reaffirming the importance of such professionals having systematic moments for reflection upon their teaching practice.