Forum Replies Created

  • Shalom

    Member
    February 13, 2023 at 10:09 pm in reply to: Trainer Monitored Discussion – Safest place for a baby to sleep

    A single crib with a firm mattress

  • Shalom

    Member
    February 13, 2023 at 10:05 pm in reply to: Physically Active Classroom

    As soon as I walk into a class I greet children by their names, and sit with them to join in whatever activity is presently happening. I pay attention to new words children are learning and use the serve and return method to communicate. During transition times, I sing lots of songs and say rhymes, it helps the children focus and stay content to switch to a new activity. We march around and play follow the leader or sing the ants go marching. We have dance parties and jump like a rabbit when we are reading the kids favorite bunny book!

  • Shalom

    Member
    February 10, 2023 at 11:10 pm in reply to: Positive relationships with families.

    My advice is first always ensure the parents/families know that you will do anything in your power to ensure their child is safe, happy, and learning under your care. Make sure that the family also knows that it is okay to have questions, requests, and specifics about their child. Let the families know you are there to support them along with their child, and that you respect them completely as well. That way in the future if there is a disagreement etc., it may be a little easier to figure out because there will be respect both ways. Remember that you are working with the families to care for the children, and it’s a team effort that will sometimes require some brain storming for a resolution. Use the sandwich technique for the best results when discussing a concern with the families.

  • Shalom

    Member
    February 10, 2023 at 10:56 pm in reply to: Expectations from your child's provider

    If I had a young child I would want my childcare providers to:

    1. Make sure my child is always safe

    2. Treat her/him with the utmost kindness and respect

    3. Be attentive to small details about my child

    Three things I would be terrified of leaving my child in childcare would be:

    1. Something bad happening

    2. Teachers being neglectful or not paying enough attention to my child

    3. My child being hurt in any way at all

  • Shalom

    Member
    February 10, 2023 at 10:36 pm in reply to: Trainer Monitored Discussion- Get children engaged in meaningful learning

    In my classroom, lots of the kids LOVE cats. So the last couple of times I have bought myself a shirt, I pick one with a cat on it. When I come into the classroom, the kids get super excited and we start the conversation about what different sounds that animals make. This usually leads us into story time or book time, which is awesome! I try and pay attention to each child’s interests, and think about ways that I can use this to help them learn. Such as bringing in books about animals or foods the children are curious about or interested in.

  • Shalom

    Member
    February 10, 2023 at 10:32 pm in reply to: Daily schedule for children?

    I would say to make sure you schedule meals and naptime first. Lay out the schedule in a way that will flow as smoothly as possible, like transitioning from lunchtime, to washing hands, to finding their cot and going into naptime. Include diaper and playtimes too. Don’t forget to include circle time or book time!

  • Shalom

    Member
    February 10, 2023 at 10:21 pm in reply to: Good Early learning environment

    A good classroom needs to feel warm and welcoming. It should have different areas for different kinds of activities, a book corner, an art area, pretend play, blocks, and so on. The classroom should have a good selection of books and toys but should be organized, kept clean, and all the shelves should be secured to the floor or walls.

  • Shalom

    Member
    February 9, 2023 at 9:35 pm in reply to: How to approach a parent about developmental screening of their child?

    First make sure that you have written down your observations, to help the parents understand that it is not just an opinion, it is data you’ve collected over time and careful observation. Approach the situation gently and make sure that you explain screenings are on-going and all the children are screened. Remember that it could be sensitive to the parents to hear these things.

  • Each child is unique. By observing the children one at a time and discovering important details about them – their personality, how they get along with peers, temperament, and so much more – we as teachers will better know how to help support and care for the children. We will better understand each child’s needs and how to help them to reach their full potential.

  • Shalom

    Member
    February 8, 2023 at 5:03 pm in reply to: Screen time in childcare

    My thoughts on screen time for children is that very little is needed, and too much can be unhealthy. Actually, no screen time is NEEDED, however, there are things children can learn through developmentally appropriate educational videos. It is not good to have too much screen time because children should be getting creative and learning things and able to move around, so it could have bad affects especially if the content is not very closely monitored.

  • Shalom

    Member
    February 8, 2023 at 4:38 pm in reply to: Trainer Monitored Discussion -“Serve and Return” in classrooms

    In the classroom I’m in right now, we use serve and return all the time, two year olds are just starting to form two word sentences or using a single word or sound to communicate. When a child hands me a book, I pay special attention to the things they point out such as “meow” when they see a picture of a cat. Their serve is “meow”, and I respond with something like “Yes, very good! That is a cat, a cat says meow!” When a child hands me a toy I ask them what it is, wait for the pause and then tell them the word. They usually respond by copying the word themselves, which we repeat back and forth and talk about more.

  • Shalom

    Member
    February 6, 2023 at 4:19 pm in reply to: What to do when parents are late to pick up their child?

    I would first ask Mrs. Hopkins how she is doing, if there is a new schedule or event happening in her life, or what could be causing the repetitive late pickup time. I would explain to her the importance of showing up on time not only for the staff’s sake, but for the child’s sake as well. It can have an effect on a child to not be able to rely on his mother to pick him up on time. I would work with Mrs. Hopkins and explain that while now and again things happen that can justify a late pickup time, it can’t be continued and we need to find a new plan that will work for her, if necessary. I would be empathic to whatever it is that is keeping her from showing up on time but once again remind her that twenty minutes is too late to make a habit of, and that it is important to find a time while the center is open that works for her to pick up her child.

  • Shalom

    Member
    February 3, 2023 at 5:00 pm in reply to: Trainer Monitored Discussion – Diversity and Colloboration
    1. Which WACs address diversity and collaboration with families? WAC 110-300-0030 addresses non discrimination laws and implements the standard that everyone is equal no matter age, religion, culture, race, gender, and more. We should always make every effort to include families and the child into the classroom right away and make them feel at home and welcome. WAC 110-300-0085 focuses on making a strong bond and connection with the family.
    2. What big messages do the WACs give regarding diversity and collaboration? WAC 110-300-0065 goes over the importance of school readiness and family engagement activities. WAC 110-300-0030, as mentioned above, regards the laws on non discrimination and equal rights.

  • Shalom

    Member
    February 3, 2023 at 4:42 pm in reply to: Peer Review – Four Corners Activity

    1. A multicultural education curriculum should be in place in every school.

    Strongly agree. I did not have access to an education due to the household I was raised in. Thus, I believe that educations should be as multicultural as possible! Give each child the best possible education so they can enter the world as adults more prepared.

    2. Families should not be expected to be involved in classroom activities.

    Agree. While of course activities that include parents can be fulfilling, the parents do not necessarily need to feel bad if they can’t get the time during the weekday to be involved in the activities. Perhaps the parent has a tough work schedule, for example, and most of the time the parent has with the child is in the evenings and weekends.

    3. All learning programs should accommodate all children with special needs.

    Strongly agree. I absolutely agree with this. Every child should have equal learning opportunities. As such I think learning programs need to make every effort to be as inclusive as possible, with ramps, access to brail, maybe the teachers learn a bit of sign language, and so on. We should also remember to pay attention to parents concerns or specific needs for their child while in care.

    4. Some extended family members may confuse children, so they should not have a voice in raising or educating the child.

    Agree. Honestly, depending on the situation, it could be a ‘disagree’ too. I think this is a very much depends on the family dynamic/household or even the culture of each family. For me, I would raise my future child just between me and my partner for personal reasons. I don’t have a good bond with some of my extended family, for example, so they most likely won’t have a say in raising or education my future child.

    5. My curriculum should be based on each individual child’s current interests.

    Agree. I agree, however I do think there should be standard things every child should learn – even if a different method of learning is needed for each child. Additionally, I believe that yes, every child’s interests should be considered and if possible, somehow included or taught in a lesson! Through a game, a new book, and more.

    6. Diversity definitely includes race and culture, but doesn’t include age, ability or family make-up.

    Strongly disagree. Diversity includes race, culture, age, possibly parenting styles. Diversity is important because it is every factor that makes you, you.

    7. Media in general delivers fair and accurate accounts of events around the country.

    I disagree. While there are plenty of good sources which can be trusted, much of the internet is made to make people want to click, like a whole bunch of advertisements or clickbait. Again, there are certainly some really good and truthful news channels, magazines and such, but perhaps just as much media is fabricated one way or another, if not more.

    8. The United States should discontinue relations with countries that engage in human rights violations.

    Agree. I agree because we should hold allies to the same basic human rights standards in my opinion. I do think this statement is probably something others disagree on. This question is going to be answered by anyone with a prior opinion a bit differently.

  • Shalom

    Member
    February 3, 2023 at 4:41 pm in reply to: Peer Review – Four Corners Activity