[Lydia]

I have learned earlier in this course that children often learn best through modeling, so as a teacher I need to appropriate express correct emotions/responses to things. But, I think children can learn more about emotions through games, such as emotional charades, which include cards that show pictures of emotions. Asking meaningful questions how they should best respond to situations, after allowing them to talk it out, might also help. Redirecting is also another effective technique.

[Lydia]

For me, staff meetings we have cover this topic and give us an opportunity to discuss effective ways for self care. I find that discussing my fatigue with my coworkers helps as well.

[Lydia]

Child care programs guidance policies are useful in a lot of situations. An example would be to ensure safety of the children, as well as how to handle emergencies, injuries, and other incidents that must be handled in a specific way.

[Lydia]

A 2 month old child should be placed alone in a crib with a firm mattress for sleep.

[Lydia]

Healthy habits can be fun if I keep a positive attitude with the kids and turn it into a game. This can be done through songs related to healthy habits.

[Lydia]

If giving a prospective parent a tour, I would highlight the safety procedures that directly impact their child. I would also be prepared to explain other procedures if the parent asks about them or if I learn of special needs for the child.

[Lydia]

My biggest worry going into working at an early learning center is school shootings.

[Lydia]

I appreciate the guidelines provided in the Child Care Basics Course. Communication with parents is the key and isn’t just about you providing information to the parents, but you listening to parents’ feedback as well. Conflicts with parents must be handled appropriately as well. The continue to foster this relationship, early learning providers must also continue to communicate and know the expectations of the parents for their children.

[Lydia]

If I were a parent of a young child, I would want my child’s provider to model appropriate feelings in the classroom, be attentive to their needs and ask meaningful questions, and to provide a safe environment where my child feels comfortable enough to explore and learn. The three fears I would have is an unsafe environment, one where the caregiver doesn’t meet my child’s needs, and a caregiver who models inappropriate feelings or ways to handle feelings.

[Lydia]

The classroom needs to be organized, and include learning activities, in a way that fosters child engagement. The early learning provider must be present and observe the actions of children in order to look for opportunities to ask them questions. These questions cannot induce a yes or no answer, but encourage children to think and provide more detailed and creative answers.

[Lydia]

I think having a schedule as seen in the course videos that involves pictures helps younger children. Also, involving them in the schedule also ease any stress a change in schedule may give them. I have found the children in my classroom who have trouble adjusting to a change in activity (according to the schedule) do better when they are part of this shift and know what comes next.

[Lydia]

A good early learning environment will have components that are nurturing, attractive, organized and functional. I like the idea of having interest centers that are organized according to likeness (i.e. messy areas together, quiet areas together, and loud areas together). A good environment also needs to include a variety of activities that cater to the different learning preferences of children.

[Lydia]

I think early learning providers need to be very prepared before approaching a parent. There needs to be solid documentation of what has been observed with the child. The provider must first educate the parent on what is typical development for the child, review the observations noted in the classroom, and then explain those atypical behaviors noted during the screening. It would be helpful for the provider to identify what they will say and pay special attention to how they explain these things. Once these steps are completed, the provider must then be able to identify resources for the parent should they choose to proceed with the next steps for their child.

[Lydia]

Intentional observing and documenting a child’s development is helpful for the early learning provider in establishing their current developmental status, reflect on curriculum that is needed to meet their needs, and develop a plan to keep their learning moving forward.

[Lydia]

I feel like there are enough activities that can be included in the classroom curriculum where an early learning provider does not need to rely on any screen time activities during the day. There may be some parents against screen time, so those types of activities can be left up to parents while the children are at home.