Caring for the Kids

Anne E. Walter ’75 sits in a child-sized chair, patiently helping a pair of two-year-olds clean up paint spilled on a table. "I love working here – it’s always changing," says Walter, head teacher at the Syracuse University Early Childhood Education and Child Care Center. "No two days are alike, and every child is different."

Walter, who plans the curriculum and oversees the experience of the center’s toddlers, ages 18 months to three years, is now on her 26th year at the center. During that time, she has also taught hundreds of children, including three of her own.

Walter works closely with parents, helping them adjust to the rapid changes in toddler development. She carefully plans the classroom environment and activities and helps children develop language and social skills. "When they start in the room at 18 months they often play independently, but as they grow older they begin to focus on other children," she says. "Around age two, they become interested in playing with others, but don’t naturally know how to get along and make social approaches that will be well received by others. We can support them in this effort. It’s a dynamic time for growth, and important lifelong patterns are established."

Walter became interested in teaching as a high school student when she saw that many of her classmates were preparing to start families soon after graduation. "There was a real need to educate people about taking care of a family, to provide useful information and support," she says.

After graduating from Albright with a bachelor’s degree in home economics, Walter planned to teach child and family studies at the high school level. However, after accepting a position at the center and teaching there for several months, she realized she had a gift for working with youngsters. "I never expected to be here for this long," Walter says. "I always thought that after I had my graduate degree I would teach in the school system. But I really like this age group."

Throughout her years at the center, Walter has been involved with several programs, including one with Jowonio, a Syracuse-based private, nonprofit inclusive school for children with a wide range of abilities. She participated in the first year of this collaboration, which has now grown into a full-day program. "Inclusion works wonderfully with the proper support," Walter says. "It’s good for all the children involved."

For Walter, the ceaseless activity and fun she has with the children are rewards of the job. "This is my place to be," she says. "I enjoy my work and I’m happy. It’s wonderful."

-- Christine Yackel, reprinted with permission, Syracuse University Magazine