The stage of early childhood is where humans experience a plethora of visual, auditory, physical, mental, and emotional stimulation. These stimulations vary in their degree and their influence from child to child. As early childhood educators, it is important for us to realize this as we welcome multiple students inside our classroom each year. We must be able to adhere to each child, yet create an overall environment that resonates with compassion, patience, and safety. Every child who enters our classroom, should feel like they belong and that they are welcome. While the majority of this influence comes from the teacher and their presence within the classroom, the classroom setup itself plays a large role and must be thought of ahead of time to ensure that Day 1 starts off with this environment of inclusion.
For this post, I was asked to design my own type of Early Childhood Home Care classroom that includes elements that will both challenge my students, yet welcome them into their home away from home. This environment must resonate with an anti-bias approach as that is part of making every child feel welcome and accepted (Laureate Education, 2011). To do this, my classroom would be warm and inviting, with an open area that allows for safe viewing of every area of the room and clearly marked destinations that would include the tables for work, rug area for meeting, easily accessible centers and activities, a library, and an area for a "cool down" spot. These destinations would ensure maximum opportunities for learning and engaging in social interactions, essential in early childhood (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards, 2010). To ensure that it is an anti-bias classroom, I would have posters that display a wide range of children from different cultures, races, abilities, and so on as well as include these messages in the types of books I lay out with the students in the library. The meeting area would also be a chance for us to come together as a group and read about different cultures while talking openly about it, so the students know that they are free to ask questions and inquire about the differences that makes us unique (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards, 2010) which is essential in building an anti-bias environment. When the students feel safe and comfortable, they are able to speak freely and learn that it is okay to ask questions and celebrate the diversity around us.
References
Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children
and ourselves. Washington, DC: NAEYC.
Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). Strategies for working with diverse children: Welcome to an anti-bias learning community. Baltimore, MD: Author
I like how you used similar elements I would use in my early childhood setting such as poster regarding the cultures of the children in the classroom and books that relates to almost every background in this country. You also talked about meetings you will have which I also agree with because this is time to get to know the child fro a family's point of view and learn more about their heritage. The meetings are also a way for parents to get updates on their children academic progress. I also believe toys and other items should also be approved by parents of children so there are less misunderstandings about what child should celebrate, eat, or how they rest.
ReplyDeleteEmily,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading about the child care center you would create and found that we would included many similar aspects in the classroom environment that we would strive to create. I think that this would be a great activity to do in our own classrooms as well. I know that if I took the time to consider how I could do a better job incorporating anti-bias teachings in my daily curriculum then I would be providing my students with more of what they need. I sometimes feel like we are somewhat controlled in the classroom with what we teach and that is what it is important that we get creative and doing all that we can to ensure that our students are receiving all of the information that they need to know in order to be successful members of society.
Hello
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog. I would send my children to your home day care. I like that you will make it a home away from home. Children need to feel safe and accepted and you have all those things. You mentioned the library, anti-bias education, and family friendly environment. You would have a successful center where children can develop and build a foundation for a successful lifelong education. Thanks
Hi
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I really love the images you use to described the anti-bias education and how it fits into "your" environment and how it fits into the education field. I really like how descriptive you were. Overall great post.
~Shameeka
Hello Emily,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog. Your concepts really seemed to bring a warm, friendly and family oriented environment. I like the poster idea. I agree it is a great way to welcome diversity and steer up conversations about diversity.
Cinda