Observing Communication

Observing communication between adults and children can be difficult because often time’s conversations are quickly paced and very one sided. This week we are going to look at “My Hippie Grandmother” by Reeve Linderbergh. This book shows the relationship between a young girl and her grandmother. The relationship is a wonderful weekend of growing and learning together. They visit the garden, farmer’s market, and picket city hall together. The relationship is one where the granddaughter is learning through doing with her hippie grandmother. Her grandmother is supportive and caring.

“My mother is a lawyer. My dad works on TV. My grandma says someday I’ll find the perfect job for me.”

Overall the communication is caring and affirmative. If I had to imagine the conversation continuing I can see the grandma being a wonderful active listener, nodding and smiling while listening intently to her granddaughter’s opinions and insights.

The Diverse Enviornment

When I think of an early childhood learning environment I think of different sections that reflect the cognitive learning goals, as well as, the social learning goals of each student. It is important to consider the students that you are serving each year before planning out your environmental layout (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010). “What children do not see in the classroom teaches children as much as what they do see” (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010, p. 43).

Looking at the drawing above we can cycle through each center and determine what is important to include making sure our learning environment is diverse and respectful of all cultures. In the library corner we will want to be sure there are texts with human differences, similar cultures as their own, and diverse cultures around the world. When considering the table toys we will want to include diverse puzzles and appropriate drawing materials for all races. Furthermore, we will want to be sure the house corner reflects the backgrounds of the students in the classroom. The dramatic props need to reflect both genders and various cultures. For example, if there is a large Spanish population we could provide adobo spice containers, mojo sauce jars, and other various cultural food items. Moving around the room, in the block corner we want to remove any stereotypical pictures that might sway the decisions of the students as they build and create. Lastly in the art section we want to display art from all cultural backgrounds and encourage children to express themselves using various techniques, which represent different cultural backgrounds than their own.  

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.

What I Have Learned EDUC 6357

• I hope to create an environment where all children and their families feel welcome and feel as if they are a necessary part of our learning environment.
• I hope that the early childhood community works to develop curriculum that works to support and involve families in the lives of their young children now and as they grow. 

I want to take this time to thank my fellow classmates. It has been a tiring journey of self exploration and discovery. I pray that we all have come out of this course braver and stronger. 

We are the World

Children Say the Darndest Things

The honesty of a child can show the world as it is. After talking with a friend about her daughters experience with a handicapped child who walked with braces it became evident that parents need to address differences among people with their children at a young age. After some research I found a wonderful resource through Baby Center: Expert Advice. They suggest:

• Address your child's curiosity
• Answer questions matter of factly
• Watch your words
• Emphasize what's the same
• Take advantage of teaching moments
• Don't allow jokes or bullying

The expert advice is wonderful on this website and helps parents prepare for those awkward conversations that come from being unprepared. When we show our children that these topics make us uncomfortable they then carry that fear or insecurity with them.