Saturday, July 13, 2013

Creating Affirming Environments


First thing I would do is state my philosophy and mission statement for my in home childcare setting acknowledging my stand of implementing an anti-bias education. I would welcome the families and let them know I have an open door policy as long as their child is participating in the center. Every morning and evening I will greet the children and their families to let them know how much I appreciate them choosing my childcare center to provide the service of caring for their love one. Adriana in the media presentation greeted the families daily (Laureate, 2011). Poster and pictures of the families and other backgrounds and cultures will be displayed throughout the center. One of the best tools you can have for anti-bias work is a camera, which will permit you to make posters (Sparks & Edwards, 2010).

A display board will be placed in the front of the center on the wall to let families know of upcoming events, menus (meals/snacks) policies, procedures, important numbers and things that are going on around the community. I would make sure all correspondence or translated for the families that are non-English speakers. A form would be implemented by the center to monitor children’s behavior and give families feedback upon arrival of incidents that may have occurred the night before. Adriana in the media presentation used a dry erase board for parents to inform her of things that has gone on the night before (Laureate, 2011) but because of privacy issues I would use the form.

My childhood setting environment will include two quite areas so if a person does not want to be bothered they can cuddled up with a teddy bear, pillow or book in a chair or on the floor until they are ready to join the group.

Other centers that will be included in the early childhood setting are a library, writing, dramatic play, block, manipulative, cutting, music, art and science center.  The centers will include a variety of multicultural doll, clothing, puppets, books, different abilities, homemade and store bought puzzles (Sparks & Edwards, 2010) and folder games that will be used in helping children explore the successful outcomes of an anti-bias education. The materials will be changed out weekly to provide different learning experiences for the children.

 

Each of these centers is important in a child’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. It is important that children have the opportunity to explore and create on their own in each center; this will help them develop creative thinking, problem solving skills and enhance teaching to their strengths.

 

 

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). "Welcome to an Anti-Bias Learning Community"

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).

2 comments:

  1. Ebony thank you for reminding me of the value of sharing the philosophy and mission statement. This is a perfect medium through which people can get to know what one's center is all about and it will be a constant reminder to staff as to what the center is striving towards. Our newly opened center has gained so much by getting everyone to know and understand our philosophy and statement of beliefs. I also felt uncomfortable about parents writing down the child's needs so publicly. We have designed a form and have kept it really basic - families can select the appropriate boxes that match up with their experience, so that all our families are able to communicate their child's needs. Anything else over and above this, parents are encouraged to share with any staff members, who have the responsibility to communicate this information verbally and to write it in a special communication booklet we keep at the center.

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  2. That’s great that you thought to include your philosophy and mission because they are a very important part of any center. Greeting each family is also a must so they can truly feel welcomed in your center.

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