[nevaeh]

• Early learning providers can create a “serve and return” environment in their classrooms by (1) Share the focus, (2) Support and encourage, (3) Name it, (4) Take turns, back and forth, (5) Practice ending and beings. Example of this in the classroom are simon says, reading time/storytelling, artist actives, and etc.

[nevaeh]

• My biggest worry about keeping children healthy and safe is not being in my best shape to provide adequate quality care and making a mistake because of that.

[nevaeh]

• Some good ways to approach a parent about the developmental screening of their child are making sure you have good documentation of your observations and knowledge before sharing with a parent(s), providing a reliable/factual resource about child development correlated to screen time, and making sure to keep observations and referrals confidential.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by  nevaeh.

[nevaeh]

• Observing and documenting a child’s development helps early learning providers since children have their own temperaments, learning styles, experiences, etc which all are a factor to how they develop. Documenting these developments allows the child’s family and provider to see their development compared from the past and the future. This is also helpful since a child’s academic life correlates to outside school life. Observing and documenting also allows the provider to offer quality care towards the child’s needs.

[nevaeh]

• My advice for creating and maintaining a good partnership between caregivers/parents and childcare providers is prioritizing collaborative/open/frequent communication while actively listening to the concerns of parents/caregivers. It is also very important to regularly share updates about the child’s progress and celebrate the child’s achievements.

[nevaeh]

• Three things I would want from my child’s provider would be: 1) Proof of licenses, 2) Active learning, 3) My child’s safety. Three things that I would fear when leaving my child in someone’s care would be: 1) My child’s safety, 2) My child’s well being, 3) Someone new/first time in child care taking care of my child.

[nevaeh]

• Some creative ways to get children engaged in active, meaningful learning are to ask meaningful questions. So this way the child can practice using their critical thinking and child care providers aren’t just giving close end answers. Asking meaningful questions allows for child development and becomes a learning session, where they can feel open to ask more questions. It’s important to try and turn everything into a learning session when able to. More creative ways are: transitioning from small group discussion to big group, fun team builders, simon says, incorporating their interests, and etc.

[nevaeh]

• A good way to maintain a daily schedule for children is to create an hourly schedule. Such as lining activities by the hour or even by the minutes (for those routines) or shorter activities. (Tip.) Make sure to switch activities after that hour/minute or split up a variety of different activities between the children, then have them switch after that time is up. Keep in mind, to also plan for a full day and plan different activities through your daily schedule. Such as lunch/snack time, outdoor playtime, nap time, learning time, and etc.

[nevaeh]

• I think materials for sensory exploration are especially important components for a good early learning environment. I believe this because sensory exploration can stimulate children’s senses; touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste. There are also many ways/activities for using sensory exploration. Such as sand, water, shaving cream, play dough, bubbles, and etc. Sensory exploration can also be used as another way to help overwhelmed kids to take time to calm down and direct their focus to something else. That is why I think sensory exploration is an especially important component for a good early learning environment.

[nevaeh]

• I discovered that at least one staff person has to have a current first-aid and CPR certificate to present with each group of children at all times while completing the WACs while activity. I wasn’t really surprised by anything but I didn’t know that the WAC could be so detailed and in-depth. I can see how the WACs will influence my day-to-day practice in caring for children. Around children anything can happen so a lot of these WACs will probably come into play regarding certain incidents with children.