Creating my own environment for my Child Care Home would consist of pictures of every child with their name below posted on a bulletin board for everyone to see that way the child see that they are included in the program like all of the other children. I would also have pictures of the staff with their name so the children will know their faces and be able to recognize staff just as the parents would be able to do so. Children feel more comfortable wihen they recognize who they are dealing with on a daily basis. "Invisibility erases identity and experience. Visibility affirms reality" (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010, p. 46).
I would have books, posters, skin tone art colors, puzzles and music that reflects diversity. Children need to know that the world is diverse and not for them to only recognize the dominant culture. I want to ensure that all children and families in my child care home are visible. I would also have each child to bring a favorite toy from home that they like playing with to help provide comfort when it is needed. My play area would consist of a mixtures of dolls and figurines that represents different races and ethnicities. Toys that resemble real life like baby dolls, dump trucks, play kitchen area with play food, little aaprons, and tricycles. "A useful rule of thumb is that more than half of the materials in the environment should reflect the identities of the specific children in that classroom" (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010, p. 44). I would also have my students to come from diverse backgrounds no matter if their parents are lawyers are a cook. I would like to have a range of economic classes so the children learn to interact with everyone.
I like the idea from (Laureae Education, 2010) that Adriana had as far as a schedule for the parents to know what is planned for the day and I would like to add pictures of the children at work for the parent to see posted about the facility. And, lastly I would like to have a fish aquarium and pet hamsters in a cage for the children to fake turn feeding so that they will learn how to care for others.
References
Derman-Sparks, L. & Olsen Edwards J. (2010). Anti-Bias education for young children and ourselves.
Washington, DC: NAEYC.
Laureate Education, Inc. (2010). Welcome to an Anti-Bias Community" [Video].
Allison,
ReplyDeleteI also feel that it's important for families to know the activities that are going on in the classroom on a daily basis. This helps families feel as though they are included in the curriculum and will make them more apt to join in on classroom activities and discussions.
"The more families become part of a program of anti-bias education, the more their children are likely to develop anti-bias identity, knowledge, empathy, and skills" (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards, 2010, p. 39).
Raina
References:
Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves. Washington D.C. : NAEYC Books.
You have some very great ideas that support an anti bias environment. I really like your idea of allowing children to bring stuff animals for comfort when needed. One of my children had a teacher who used to practice and it really support the children well. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Allison, Your affirming early childhood home environment sounds great! A schedule for a plan for the day is a requirement in New York State in order to be in compliance with regulations. Markers are often used to help parents and children understand where on the schedule the class is during the day. Photos and words as well as clip art are used to communicate what is occurring and what will occur next. Great post!-Careyann
ReplyDeleteAllison,
ReplyDeleteYou did such a great job explaining your environment, I felt like I was really there! It's interesting how you talked about your daily schedule. "Remember that the more frequently you can chat with each family, even for a brief time, the more your relationship will grow."(Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010 p. 39)
References:
Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves. Washington D.C. : NAEYC Books.