To create an affirming learning environment I would reflect on how I could create a caring, consistent, and positive relationship with each child and family (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards, 2010). I would want my home family day care to have specific areas for each child and family to feel secure and supported. The areas would include a welcoming, learning, eating, playing, and calming areas. The welcoming area would allow families and children to feel warm, comfortable, respected, and valued at the home family day care. There would be pictures of all the families of the center displayed in this area. In the welcome area there would be an area dedicated to families to communicate any information / concerns / questions they have. In this area there would also be a place dedicated to one family a month to share their culture. The learning area would provide space for the children to learn during circle time. The play room would be a large area where the children could strengthen their gross motor skills. The calming area / room would provide children the opportunity to calm themselves, express their emotion and / or feeling, and to feel comfortable. This room will provide children an safe and comfortable place to transition (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011). All materials, visuals, and physical arrangement of the center would be intentionally chosen to support each child and family. All books, puzzles, music, media, dolls and figurines, props, art materials, blocks, and posters would promote anti-bias education.
I would want to create an affirming learning environment to provide each child the opportunity to flourish to their fullest ability. Providing each child with a secure and supportive environment to grow, and learn will help each child to develop a positive self-identity of them-self and others, express joy and comfort with diversity, recognize inequity, and have the skills to exploit against bias, stereotypes, and discriminatory actions. The materials, visuals, and physical arrangement would be carefully thought out to ensure that each child and family have an equal opportunity to grow, develop, and / or grow to their fullest potential. The materials and visuals in the center would represent each child and family and other diverse families structures. The intentional selection of the materials and visuals is to ensure no family feels invisible (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards, 2010).
Resources
Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2011). Building on children's strengths. [Multimedia]. Baltimore, MD. Retrieved on May 14, 2013, from: https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/framset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Fytpe%3DCourse%26id%3D_2819834_1%26url%3D
Hi Crystal,
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of having the families share about their culture. I set up an area similar to that in my home care, also. And,I think the use of family photos not only serves to make sure their identity is visible, it also is a great comforting tool especially at the beginning of a child's experience at a new home care when they haven't established a sense of belonging yet. Thanks, Crystal!
Crystal,
ReplyDeleteI really like your idea of spotlighting the family for the month...we often think that spotlighting the child is enough to learn about their culture but, I really believe it is about the family in early childhood especially in an anti-bias environment. Great ideas!!!!
Great post!! You have shared many great ideas. You are showing that you are dedicated to helping the families and children you serve. You have thought about how you want them to learn to their fullest. You have many great points in mind to serving those in your daycare. You share the ideas that you want to provide a welcoming and comfortable environment which to me is very important. You also keep the materials in mind and how you would provide anti-bias education. Great post and best of luck to you.
ReplyDeleteHello Crystal,
ReplyDeleteThe calming area sounds like a great ideal, as in the video where you come in and children are allowed to take the time to make the transition from being cared for by the family over to the caregivers. Pictures are important to make sure that children feel that they are reflected in the environment (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards, 2010). Including pictures of different ethnic and economic and even time frames is an anti-bias education goal. The area where families can communicate with the staff and make sure that their concerns and their hopes for their child can be expressed is a good ideal. Having an international section allows for the chance to represent the families that you have the ones that are not there, and it opens up discussions about different people their cultures, their life styles.
References:
Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2011). Building on children's strengths. [Multimedia]. Baltimore, MD. Retrieved on May 14, 2013, from: https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/framset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Fytpe%3DCourse%26id%3D_2819834_1%26url%3D