Observing Communication

The communication that I observed was our guidance counselor sharing in a conversation with a small child whose father had just died. She had a book that she shared that talks about a leaf and how that leaf passes through the seasons and eventually falls from the tree and dies. She talked this child through the story making connections to the different seasons that we see each year and how that can be seen in the story of this leaf. She had the child draw a picture showing the trees in the different seasons and how the leaves looked on the trees during those times. She then connected it back to her father who had passed away. She had this child share something that she and her father had done together during each of the seasons. I felt like this book was an interesting way to discuss the death of her father. I have always struggled with death and young children and how to explain it. Because we have had so many of our children in our schools parents/grandparents (who are the primary caregivers) pass away I think that she might benefit from using a persona doll and create a story line that would address this issue. Persona dolls are not the same as puppets, but they offer some of the same benefits. Children are extremely willing to talk with them, and group discussions that include the dolls are opportunities to reflect on important social issues in a safe and relaxed environment (Pierce & Johnson, 2010).

I have realized that I need to be more effective and creative when addressing issues that my children are dealing with. I think that learning how to use a persona doll would be a great way to address these issues while making conversation more comfortable.

References

Pierce, J., & Johnson, C. (2010). Problem solving with young children using persona dolls. YC: Young
Children, 65(6), 106-108.

Creating Affirming Environments

If I were to open my own Family Child Care Home, I would like to provide materials that show diversity and anti-bias. I love the idea that Adriana had with the first place that parents come into being an area where parents can sign their children in and allow them a moment to acclimate their children to the idea of mom or dad leaving. I also like the calm down room where you have the rocking chair and some books for those that may need a little extra attention for whatever reason.

As far as centers around the child care home, I believe that children need to see a home that is warm and family oriented. Pictures that show families that are diverse, centers that display differences as well as similarities; whether it is books, dolls, music, puzzles, role play clothing or toys, or drawing or coloring materials. Children need to develop a strong and positive self-concept and empathy for others through healthy intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and moral development.

Some of the strategies that I feel would be beneficial to the children when considering anti-bias education would be in discussing differences in language, gender, race, disabilities, and ethnicity. Children need to learn how to respond to differences in a way that is appropriate. By encouraging children to ask questions about differences that they see, we can model the right way to respect those differences. I would also incorporate children family traditions in my child care home. Children can learn a lot about cultural differences through activities such as this.

By involving parents in our classroom activities, we can create a partnership that will benefit both teachers and families.

References

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and
ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children
(NAEYC).
Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). Strategies for working with diverse children: Welcome to an
anti-bias learning community. Baltimore, MD: Author