Creating Affirming Environments

For many years I have had the dream of one day wanting to open up my own child-care center. I just adore being around children and contributing to their growth and development. I love making a difference and I think having my own child care center would be the perfect opportunity to changes lives in a positive way!

 

If I was the owner/director of a child care center I would want it to be very big, have lots of room/space for children to walk around and play in. I would want it to be safe, warm and welcoming, and offer a lot of learning tools for children. My dream child care center would have a big rug with the letters of the alphabet on it. Over by the big rug would be an easel and a comfortable chair to sit in for story/reading time. It's where I would want my students to sit and listen as I read them many stories throughout the day. It would be colorful and comfortable. I would have at least two big tables for all the children for when we do curriculum. I would have a separate room which would be a lunch room where the children would eat their lunch. The room would have a built in kitchen in it. (Children would be required to bring their own lunch but I would offer snacks and juice/milk.) 

I would have many centers. Art center, science center, reading/writing center, sensory center, history center, music center, dramatic play center, block/building center, exploration center, and I would have a water/sand section. Each center would be labeled. "The use of centers in preschool is a valuable way to keep children engaged in positive and constructive activities. Centers promote independence, social skills, creativity, interests, and more." (Stewart, 2010) I would have a lot of dolls, puzzles, games, books, learning games, bulletin board displays, and learning material for the children.

My childcare center would have a lot of the children's art work on the wall, posters that promote diversity, and positive quotes."The toys, materials, and equipment you put out for your children; the posters, pictures, and art objects you hang on the wall; and the types of furniture and how you arrange them all influence what children learn." (Sparks & Edwards, 2010)

My child care center would have a beautiful playground area with many things to play on. (Age appropriate) It would have two playground areas; one for the smaller children and one for the older children.

I would create an anti-bias curriculum and activities for children. Each week we would do a different theme and make it fun in the classroom"Common preschool and Kindergarten themes typically focus on self-discovery, children's families, children's neighborhoods, community helpers, transportation, work, and harvesting food." (Sparks & Edwards, 2010)

Each child would have their own cubby with their name on it. They would bring a backpack with extra clothes, necessities needed for class each day, their lunchboxes, etc. 

I would also hire experienced, loving, caring, trained individuals who were only the best! I truly feel like the people you hire at a child care center make all the difference in the world. Everything would be organized and each day would be so much fun!

I hope one day I will be able to fulfil my dream of becoming a child-care owner :-)

References:

Stewart, D. (2013, April 30). Centers in the preschool classroom. Retrieved from http://www.teachpreschool.org/2010/04/centers

Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. (p. 43). Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.

What I Have Learned

One hope that I have when I think about working with children and families that come from diverse backgrounds is that I can make a difference and be helpful to them. I want them to feel comfortable around me, I want them to know that they can talk to me and confide in me, I want them to feel accepted, cared about, and loved. I want them to recognize that I will teach in a diverse classroom and that I don't look down upon diversity, that I feel it's important my students know about it and that I plan to incorporate diversity into my classroom and lesson plans/curriculum. I want my students and families to know that I understand culture, enjoy learning about it and that I plan on benefiting from each individuals cultural strengths and perspectives.

 

 

 One goal that I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is to provide a safe, secure, and comfortable atmosphere for my students and families; to teach my students that diversity is encouraged and welcome in our classroom. I want my students to know how important diversity is and I want to openly and freely speak about diversity in my classroom. I want it to be a topic we discuss often; I think it's important.

I just want to thank my colleagues for taking the time to read my discussions, blogs, and assignments and for allowing me to read yours. I have learned so much from all of you and I look forward to the few classes I have left here at Walden University and look forward to getting closer to the finish line. Thank you again my friends, I have enjoyed reading your blogs and discussions and I hope you have enjoyed mine as well! Best of luck in all your future classes!!

What Art Means to Me

What is art? Art can be many things. Art goes beyond just being pictures, painting, drawing, coloring, etc. Putting on make up is an art, hot rolling your hair is an art. Learning something new is an art. There are many arts. Art is history, it is expression, it's understanding and reality.  Anything that provokes thought is an art. People of different color respecting each other, becoming friends, being loving, realizing that our difference are what make each of us unique... that is an art.

Before we can love others, we must love our self. Before we can respect others, we must learn how to respect our self first. How we view other people, how we treat them and the relationships we choose to have our based on the decisions we make. "We attract people that are like us. Not just in terms of romantic, sexual/physical attraction. We attract them metaphysically - these people tend to turn up in our lives." (2013)

Reference:

Why you must first love yourself. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.tapping.com/articles/why-you-must-first-love-yourself.html

Start Seeing Diversity Blog: "We Don't Say Those Words in Class!"

A few years back I was working in a preschool and I was in the 4-5 year old classroom. I had 15 children to a room by myself and I truly enjoyed my students and my job. One day I was working and I had laid out art supplies for my students to do an art project; it was a painting project of some sort. That specific day we had the state come in to watch us; they came in and didn't talk to us but just sat back and observed me and the children and we later got a grade based on our teaching performance and the way we worked with the children. During art, I liked to sit down at the table with my students and I would interact with them, help them with whatever they needed help with and we would have interesting discussions. One of the lady's from the state that was in our classroom that day was heavy set. Out of nowhere; very randomly, one of my students; Eden said out loud "Mrs Stacy, why is that fat lady in our classroom watching us?" Of course the lady heard Eden say that and she just smiled but I was completely embarrassed and I apologized to the lady. The other students in the class thought it was funny so they chuckled why my cheeks were red and I felt bad for the lady. I explained to the class in age appropriate words that there are so many different types of people in the world, some are skinny, some are heavier, some are short, some are tall and some are mean yet some are nice. I explained to them that we should not judge others based on how they look because it's whats on the inside that matters. On the dry erase board I made a drawing and came up with a story to try to explain myself better. I drew a picture of a skinny man and I drew a picture of a "fat" lady. I explained to the children that the skinny man may have been skinny but that he was bad because he did bad things and used bad words. I told them that the man  was mean to other people. I pointed to the heavyset woman on the board and I said this lady up here may be "fat" but she says nice words and does nice things for people. She is your friend. I let them know it wasn't nice to call people names because it hurts their feelings and on their faces up on the board I made facial expressions. I had a one on one talk with Eden about how it wasn't nice what she said and it was not acceptable and I asked her to apologize to the lady and she did. I feel like the messages that I communicated to Eden and the rest of my class was that there are many types of people in the world and that all of us are different and that we should accept people for who they are on the inside and not for what they look like. Looks aren't important. "A child's age is one of the most important factors in considering how to begin a discussion on any subject dealing with prejudice, discrimination or, more simply, the things that make people different. The most important thing to keep in mind is that it is never too early, or too late, to talk to children about respecting diversity." (LaRosa,2001)

An example of how an anti-bias educator might have responded to support the child's understanding is to come up with other visuals to provide to the class that would better their understanding as children, to give them more examples, read them a story that talks about accepting people regardless of what they look like, create a curriculum that has projects and activities linked to the topic.

Reference:

LaRosa, C. (2001). Talking to your child about hatred and prejudice. Retrieved from http://archive.adl.org/issue_education/hateprejudice/Prejudice3.asp

 

Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation

• How you would respond to a parent/family member who informed you they did not want anyone who is perceived (or self-reported) homosexual or transgender to be caring for, educating, and/or interacting with their child: Personally, I feel that we live in such a cruel and harsh society as it is and I do not want to raise my children to have ill feelings towards gay people/homosexuals, etc. If I was informed by a family member that did not want anyone who is perceived as homosexual to be cared for/educating/ or interacting with their child I would have a discussion with them and ask them to reconsider. I would bring up examples and things I have learned about the topic as a way of changing their mind. I feel that as a parent and as adults, we need to set good examples for our children and be good role models. One way of doing that is not to teach them to "Dislike" people due to their personal sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, language, religion, etc. I want to raise my children in a home where they know that everyone is different and that everyone difference make them unique. I want them to know that gay people are good people too and they should not be judged. If a family member did inform me that this is how they felt I would do whatever I could to provide them with knowledge/educate them and give clear/good examples as to why they are wrong. One good point that I will make to the family member is that the cycle of prejudice that starts in their home will continue when their children are older. I will simply ask them if this is what they want for their children. I feel like when children get to a certain age it is important to teach them about gays/transgender/lesbians/etc. I think awareness is very important. "
  By starting our discussions about homosexuality and transgenderism early in our children's lives we increase the likelihood that they will grow into tolerant and respectful adolescents and adults."  (Kaeser, 2011)
•  
•  
  
• Your response to those who believe that early childhood centers should avoid the inclusion of books depicting gay or lesbian individuals such as same-sex partnered families: At first I had mixed emotions about this topic. Honestly, I have never thought about it until now. My first thoughts were that I don't feel like children should be exposed to certain things/topics until they are old enough to ask questions and understand the answers to them. As parents and professionals, we wouldn't give a young child a book about sex so why should we introduce to them a book depicting gays and lesbians? That seems a bit out of sorts. I definitely feel like this topic shouldn't be introduced until the children are older. Afterall, it is reality and something our children will see when they are grown and out in the real world so it should definitely be talked about. On the other hand my thoughts were: Gays and lesbians are such a big part of reality/life and what would be the worst that could happen with a young child opening a book and seeing two men holding hands or two women kissing. It may confuse them or send off the wrong message to them. When children get to a certain age, I feel like parents should talk to their children about the topic and explain what it is, what it means, what happens, etc but young children don't need to be exposed when they are so young. They wouldn't and don't understand it so what's the point?
•  
  
• References:
• Kaeser, F. (2011). What your child needs to know about sex (and when). Psychology Today, Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/what-your-child-needs-know-about-sex-and-when/201112/teaching-your-young-child-about-homosexual
  
  
   

A note of Thanks: EDUC: 6165-7

Hello friends and colleagues of mine. I just wanted to post a little message of thanks and let you know how much I have appreciated your messages/posts. I have most certainly enjoyed reading your blogs as much as you have enjoyed reading mine. I have learned a lot from each of you and I plan to take my knowledge and apply it to my daily life in order to be a more effective listener, communicator, and to be the greatest future teacher I can be. Thanks again for making time to read my blogs! I wish you the best in your endeavors.

Team Development

Are high-performing groups hardest to leave? Groups with the clearest established norms? Which of the groups that you participated in was hardest to leave? Why? What sorts of closing rituals have you experienced or wish you had experienced? How do you imagine that you will adjourn from the group of colleagues you have formed while working on your master's degree in this program? Why is adjourning an essential stage of teamwork?

Forming, adjourning, performing, storming, and norming all play an important role in team work and working with others. I feel that each of the above are so important when working in teams and that they are critical in making effective decisions. I have participated in many types of groups. The hardest for me to leave was when I got together with a bunch of people from my job (I was working at a preschool at the time) and once a year we put together a HUGE indoor clothing sale. We took all types of donated items from parents (Clothes, toys, blankets, baby shoes, anything for a baby...) and we tagged every item to be sold. It was a lot of work but it definitely took team work. We made it fun. The way I will adjourn from the group of colleagues I have formed while working on my Masters degree in this program is just wishing them the best. I can/will also keep in touch with a few via facebook. "
Project teams exist only for a fixed period, and even permanent teams may be disbanded through organizational restructuring. As team leader, your concern is both for the team's goal and the team members. Breaking up a team can be stressful for all concerned and the "adjourning" or "mourning" stage is important in reaching both team goal and personal conclusions. The break up of the team can be hard for members who like routine or who have developed close working relationships with other team members, particularly if their future roles or even jobs look uncertain." (Manktelow, 2013) Adjourning is so essential in team work because it's the closing of togetherness. Seperating and breaking up is hard for some people who have worked closely with team members. Some people have a hard time saying goodbye.

Reference

Manktelow, J. (2013). Forming, storming, norming, and performing. Retrieved from http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_86.htm