Learner Anjelica
LearnerForum Replies Created
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Be descriptive with your words and make sure they recognize that you understand they need a moment. Respect their feelings and try to have them express to you what they are feeling in words. Say something like ” Jeez Sam, I know you are upset, and I can understand how that could have got you so mad!” Validate them and give a reassuring smile or a hug. Offer a better way to deal with those feelings next time. Say something like “next time you feel that way maybe take 3 deep breaths and count to 10. Gives them something else to focus on and something they have control over. Offer constant support so that the children know they can always reach out to an adult when in need.
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If this happens, stop and take the time to address the first signs. The more you put off self-care, the worse the damage can become. This can be, mental, physical, emotional or all types of care. It is important to take care of you so that you can take care of others. Take the time to confide in your husband/wife, friend or parent. Take the time to let your thoughts go and receive compassion too. As a caregiver you can drown when pouring yourself into others and may need extra love or support at home. Learn to find support in coworkers and provide them with support as well. It can be nice to have support from someone who truly knows what your day to day is like. Even if you do not feel bad, keep youe eye on you, things can happen so quickly!
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Examples of responsive exchanges one may want to use in our everyday interactions with children are, providing specific things to each child depending on their needs and circumstances. If a child seems to be very timid and has trouble trusting yourself and the other new adults in her life, assure her with consistency and constant kindness that she can trust you and is safe in your care. You can use tools that you have to provide support to a family of a little boy that by chance is dealing with the imprisonment of their father. The child constantly shows up to class under stress because their mother is alone and paying all the bills, they are lonely and need support. If you can provide them with a smile and a hug, motivate them and provide them with positive things to do that will release some of that stress in constructive ways. Respond to the diverse needs of the children in your care. Be inquisitive, get to know your families and their situations. Be aware, helpful and trustworthy.
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Taking time to hear myself think. All day and all evening I hear little voices with so much to say, I come home to little voices and the word mom 50 times before I hit the pillow. I love it and would not trade it for anything in the world, but I find that taking a drive and a hot shower listening to worship music and picking through my thoughts is much needed. I need to decompress so that I am able to be useful to a child that feels under stress.
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I would say going into everyday with honest, genuine, kind intentions are the best foundation for building strong relationships with the children in your care. Building connections is key and every child connects differently. Some just want to be heard as they ramble, while others look for comfort in a hug or a one-on-one conversation where they can share their deep thoughts. This helps you get close to your child by getting to know them for who they are, but also their thought patterns, triggers and or love languages. Being mindful that they are all different and trying to uncover the way each child responds is important and providing them with tools do express themselves in the proper ways.
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Yes, they would be mostly useful during situations that are unexpected or dangerous. Situations when staff are unsure of how to address a situation or something a coworker said or did that may be inappropriate. Guidelines are always good to have in place and are also good to have just to help with simple things. For example, how to get more out of one-on-one time with the children in your care, and how to strengthen your bond with them. Having guidelines leaves no grey area!
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Single level crib or playpen. Firm mattress with fitted sheet, clean and designated bedding for every child. Never left to sleep in a swing or car seat, and always placed on their back.
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Creating a fun exciting environment for the children where they know they will have a good time. It gives them a positive outlook on learning when they enjoy it. Mixing up activities, maybe adding music in to learn a new math technique. Helping the kids be more at ease and encourage memorization. Offering a variety of different resources for the children and multiple age ranges. Encourage the kids to step out of their bubble when it seems appropriate, but also respect their boundaries and maintain that trust. When going outside for playtime, let the kids roam and have independent play, but maybe utilize a few minutes towards the end to get some physical stretches in or running in place for a jog. Take advantage of the sunny days too! Provide a learning opportunity in everything. From serving food to play time, spriknle a little knowledge.
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The best way to make healthy habits fun is to get the children involved in them! Get them engaged and make it fun and make it a positive thing. Make it an exciting event instead of being seen as a chore. Sing fun songs and be sure to use joyful facial expressions. Make the positive habits such as handwashing a part of their routine so that it becomes a natural part of their day. It can even become something they look forward to.
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If I were giving a prospective parent a tour through my program, the safety procedures I would highlight are first and foremost, the first aid kit. I would share with them the location, its contents and give them a brief rundown of all the resources it contains that could be required during different emergency scenarios. I would also share with them my fire drill, evacuation, and lock down plans. I would point out things like the specific positioning of the furniture that offers the safest environment possible. I would be open to receiving any questions that they have and be sure to provide reassurance that their child’s safety is my first priority.
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If for some reason I come across something that concerns me, I will not second guess myself and I will make the best decision for that child. I believe a when it doubt, get it out motto is suitable here. If something in your gut says things are not okay, more times than not you are probably correct. If after considering all of the information you gathered, you decide to make a report, do it promptly. Make sure you are observant and provide as much truthful and accurate information you can to law enforcement. Be sure to keep a log of any details so you do not forget, yet leave the questioning and the decision making to CPS.
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My biggest worry about keeping children healthy and safe is the unknown. Things that are out of my control. There are many things I have control over, but there also are many things that are inevitable. Sickness, accidents, tough days, a lot of these things arise when we least expect it. Some children come to school sick without knowing it, and viruses are spread amongst the kids before us as caregivers know. If a child slips and falls and gets a cut on their knee, sometimes there is nothing we can do to prevent these types of things. All I can do is prepare myself and have the tools and knowledge needed to give the best care if and when something should happen. I worry about the outside dangers of this world with the way things are. School violence and tragedies are far more common than they once were, and it can be a cause of tension or stress.
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My advice for creating and maintaining a positive and good partnership with parents is to do your homework! Arm yourself with the important information and resources available to your families. Make sure you know your community and inform yourself on the specific benefits that each outside entity provides. For example, if you have a list of therapists that you use to recommend families that have children struggling in that area, make sure you know the strengths of the doctors. Maybe one therapist works better with younger kids, versus another who is more suitable for older school aged kids. Or you have a family that is low on food often and needs help with groceries. Instead of recommending them to a resource that maybe offers one-time gifts cards, you can find a food bank that offers weekly support in providing healthy food options for that family, so they never run out. Being kind, honest, and having pure intentions is crucial. Approaching topics that might be sensitive to families with extra discretion can cause a world of difference. Some families might feel shame when faced with a certain dilemma and it is our job to provide assistance without judgment.
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As a parent the 3 most crucial things for me that I would want from a provider is number one, good intentions. That covers a vast majority of things. Love my child like your own, care for my child with tenderness and be emotionally available for my child. Second provide opportunity for growth and exploration. As difficult as it is to leave my child day to day I would feel better doing so if I knew that throughout the day my child was being offered exercises and activities that encourage growth in their social and developmental well-being. Taking advantage of the days when my child is extra inquisitive and giving them different projects and outlets for their energy. Then again on the days my child is more reserved, maybe some reading to embrace their temperament but still utilizing the chance to provide some teaching or exploration through books. Lastly, but definitely not the least in importance open and honest communication. If there is an issue with my child, I want to know about it. Even if it is a sensitive or touchy topic, I would expect it to be brought to my attention so that I as the mom, as them as the provider had an open honest line of communication and nothing would be swept under the rug. That includes positive affirmations and positive aspects of mt child and their learning. If my son learned a new word, I want to know! If my son had a tough day and wouldn’t share with the other children, I want to know that too.
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I think a creative way to get children engaged and involved in active, meaningful learning is to provide options. For example, at one station could be a sandbox with buckets, shovels and different sand castle designs. This would be an activity to engage a child’s imagination and allows them to experience textures and use their building skills. It requires fine motor skills as well. Another station would be a matching game station. Where children could pin the photo to match the word on the board. It stimulates active thinking and challenges them to sound things out. This would be an activity for children a little older, maybe in the 4-5 range. I think a child is easily excited and an area with music instruments, a piano or mini guitar. Maybe a drum set or radio that sings. There are lots of activities to put before them that can be both fun and educational. Meeting them where they are and working around their likes and dislikes is important. If a child loves animals, offer toy giraffes and zebras, open the world to a whole new topic, fish, deer, all of these things the child never knew about. Build on the skills and things a child enjoys and keep the door open to exploration.
