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
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about your Family Child Care Home setting. I think children as well as families would feel welcome and supported. I agree that inviting parents in would benefit families and teachers. Thanks for sharing.
Amy
Amy, what I am hearing in your post are ideas that incorporate the best part of family childcare, and that is FAMILY. Your plan to partner with families and bring their traditions into your program will help the children you serve to feel loved, affirmed and celebrated for who they are. I agree that through discussion, play and interaction with materials in the environment, children can learn about diversity in a healthy way. -Susan
ReplyDeleteHi Amy,
ReplyDeleteI like your post and the manner in which you have plan to implement your plans. Families are indeed an important asset in working with children. The better relationship that is established among families, teachers, caregivers aids in the success of working with children daily. Way to go and well said.
I liked how you talked about this being a partnership, because it is. I think that displaying those warm and comforting feelings through the childcare space really does help children make a transition to going from home to school. It helps them grow developmentally in more ways than one, great outlook!
ReplyDeleteCreating a partnership through parental involvement is a fantastic way to bring culture into the classroom. As we get to know the children within the context of their family, we can better serve them at school. One of my favorite experiences was when a parent volunteered for a day inmy classroom. Not only did it help me understand their family, but it helped them understand our school culture.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you in having a calm down center in which a child could be soothed, or given extra attention is a wonderful idea. It is an invigorating why for children to learn how to express themselves, and calm themselves. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete