Observing Communication Between Adults and Children

 Observed Communication Between Adults and Children

    

                                        https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/key-concepts/brain-architecture/

                        It is important for adults to talk with children with dignity and respect. It is important that we treat them the same way we want to be treated because we are their role models and we are the ones setting the stage of how we communicate with one another in society. Treating young children and babies with respect and dignity gives them self awareness and assures them the fact that they matter and they are an individual with their own thoughts, feelings, and preferences (Kovach & Da Ros-Voseles 2011).

This Week's Observation

This week's observation comes from a pre-school setting. A two year old child was getting ready to go home. The teacher approached the child by coming over and bending down in order to be eye level with the child. The teacher tells the child that their parent has arrived and it is time for them to get their backpack and coat so they can go home. The child smiles and says, "yayy, mommy is here." The child quickly walks to their hook and receives their back pack and coat. The teacher stands next to the child while they are getting ready. The child begins to struggle with putting on their backpack. The teacher bends over and looks the child in their eyes and asks if they will like help putting on their back pack. The child nods their head and lets the teacher untangle their straps to place the bag on their back. The teacher then holds out their hand to the child palm up, and the child takes the teahcer's hand as they walk to see their parent.

Analysis

This teacher made sure to present herself to the child on the child's eye level. This provided the child with the a sense that they are on the same communication level and allows them to feel more comfortable and less intimidated by the bigger person talking down to them (Zolten & Long 2006). The teacher waited to see if the child was going to be able to put their backpack on by themselves and when the child began to struggle with it the teacher first asked if she could help instead of just jumping right in and helping without the child's permission. At the end of the communication the teacher gestured for the child to hold their hand by first reaching it out to them with an open palm thus putting the power in the child's hand to choose if they wanted to hold her hand or not. 

References

Zolten & Long. 2006. Center for Effective Parenting. https://parenting-ed.org/wp-content/themes/parenting-ed/files/handouts/communication-parent-to-child.pdf

 Kovach & Da Ros-Voseles. 2011. Communicating with babies. YC: Young Children, 66(2), 48-50.

Creating my own Family Child Center

Kirsten’s Early Child Development Home Care Center

https://www.care.com/b/l/robbins-nest-family-child-care/silver-spring-md

            In my inclusive, anti-bias home child care center, I would make sure to have neutral colors on the walls and a home environment decor theme. In the school setting where I am currently employed, we believe in fostering a home-like feel in our center meaning we have picture frames up on the walls to display the children's artwork, well spaced out classroom amenities not too many colors or taped up character posters and pictures on the wall. Fostering a home-style classroom environment helps young children make their transition from home to the school environment more comfortable and smooth (CadenceEducation n.d.). The neutral color scheme will also add to a soothing atmosphere and steers away from being overly visually stimulated especially for children with sensory sensitivity. This is a welcoming environment for all students and families to feel a sense of comfortability and a home away from home environment.

https://www.care.com/b/l/happy-home-family-child-care/laurel-md

           In my home base center, I will make sure to have a fenced-in outdoor play space for students and families to explore what nature has to offer and get fresh air. Growing up in nature and the outdoors was a heavy constant in my academic journey and early childhood experience. I consider myself to be an environmentalist and I want to teach our future generation all about the importance of nature so we can continue to move forward in making the world greener and saving the planet around us.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/398076054562781000/

                 Keeping up with the idea of being environmentally friendly I want to inhibit plants within indoor classroom environments. This will help children learn how to take care of nature. This can also provide them with hands-on learning about how to take care of living things and teach them what plants need to survive and grow (NAEYC n.d.). 

http://www.theseedsnetwork.com/pets-in-the-preschool-classroom/

Animals will help children make connections between us and other living things on the planet Earth. This will also teach lessons of responsibility.

https://www.amazon.com/DIGIFLARE-GRAPHICS-Family-Decal-Sticker/dp/B00W5QTUH6

                    The family tree will be displayed to show all the diverse students and families in our school environment making sure that all identities and cultures are seen in the classroom environment.

http://becomingpeculiar.com/raising-a-low-media-toddler-the-sensory-table-to-the-rescue/

                Outdoor sensory bins will give a hands-on learning experience to children and family members. This is an opportunity for children to get messy and explore their senses of touch, sight, sound, and smell.

Resources 

https://www.cadence-education.com/homelike-environment/

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).

https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/books/excerpt-from-experiencing-nature