[Bekka Milender]

Engage families through discussions and at planned gatherings (like conferences) to understand their expectations. Also create opportunity to develop shared goals for children’s learning. Learn about, and show respect for, the background, cultural identity and strengths of each family.

[Bekka Milender]

Make it into a fun game, activity, or song. Work to incorporate real-world scenarios through storytelling.

[Bekka Milender]

An inclusive, friendly, supportive learning environment, a set daily routine, a place that cares about adult-child relationships, has good teaching practices, and has a good hand in encouraging family engagement.

[Bekka Milender]

Give parents information in a nonjudgmental way like, “Based on the developmental checklist we completed, your child is not meeting his/her developmental milestones” or “Your child seems to be learning in a different way.” Be honest, gentle, and open to trying a parent’s suggestions.

[Bekka Milender]

Observing and documenting a child’s development helps us in understanding each child’s unique interests and needs. This then helps influence personalized learning plans, support for targeted interventions if necessary, and ensuring the curriculum is appropriately tailored to each child’s developmental stage, ultimately leading to more effective and responsive care.

[Bekka Milender]

I think screen time should be minimal to non-existent for children in childcare centers, espically since we don’t know how much they are on screens at home.

[Bekka Milender]

By acknowledging, labeling, and engaging with the child’s actions, whether through verbal communication, facial expressions, or gestures. This helps ensure a sense of connection and responsiveness throughout the day, by simply paying attention to the language and body language of the child before reacting.

[Bekka Milender]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity? I got a better understanding of classroom expecations and rules, I only saw small, simplified reminders around the classroom I work in.
2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs? I was surprised by how in-depth the WACs went when describing each section.
3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not? Yes, I can see so many that will be, and have been, influencing my day-to-day practice. I now see more of why I was trained to do things a certain way.

[Bekka Milender]

1. Strongly Agree

• All learning programs should accommodate all children with special needs.
• A multicultural education curriculum should be in place in every school

1. Agree

• My curriculum should be based on each individual child’s current interests.
• The United States should discontinue relations with countries that engage in human rights violations.

1. Disagree

• Some extended family members may confuse children, so they should not have a voice in raising or educating the child.
• Diversity definitely includes race and culture, but doesn’t include age, ability or family make-up.

1. Strongly Disagree

• Families should not be expected to be involved in classroom activities.
• Media in general delivers fair and accurate accounts of events around the country.

POINT OF VIEW:

• Religion
• Income
• Family values
• Morals
• Culture
• Media
• Education
• Political view
• Family role

5. Do we ever change our views? What kinds of things influence us to change our perspective?

– Yes, I think we do change our views. I think we change our views as we learn more or get other perspectives explained to us in a way that enlightens our ideas on the subject. Another thing that may change our perspective is a change in lifestyle, a major life event, a tragic event, or just more education on a topic.