V Chedgy First Blog Submission
The site that I chose to do my research paper on is a childcare preschool facility in the town that I live. I own a home daycare so to visit a center is always fascinating to me to get new ideas (hopefully). My first thoughts on a topic I chose would be the racial bias/bullying aspect and how early does this behavior start? I was a little disappointed with my first visit as the teacher for the 5-6 year-old classroom I was supposed to interview was sick. I did interview two other teachers, however, from the 3-4 year-old classroom. Some of the issues shared from the two teachers and the director was childhood nutrition, parents treating the teachers as babysitters versus the professional teachers that they are, communication and expectations between the owner, director and staff as well as communication between the staff and the parent of the children they teach. I did get a chance to go back a second day and interview the 5-6 year old teacher and she stated her concerns are childhood nutrition as well as the teachers getting no credit for what they do in the eyes of the parents. These interviews influenced my decision about which area of interest and topics to choose for my research paper as none of them seemed to have a correlation to my original thought on the beginning stages or issues or race bias/bullying. An example of why I chose what I thought would be the direction of my paper is that I have a 5-year old girl in my home daycare. My one 9-year old in my care came up to me one day and stated the 5-year old called him gay. I asked her why and she said because he doesn't have a girlfriend. Another issue along that same path is about bullying as well as how children see the differences in someone not of their own ethnicity. My town does not have a varied amount of ethnicities and I thought I could go somewhere with this. Through the interviews though, I learned that it probably is a learned behavior and one that comes out in older years, out of the age-scope of this center. So I decided to let this topic rest. Therefore, the area of interest I am thinking of focusing on for my paper could either be the general topic of communication or how to get the parents to recognize what the teachers do for their child. The related three specific topics would be how to have the parent communicate more of what is going on in that child's home life to make a better transition to their classroom, how to have the provider communicate better with the parent in how the child is doing and what the child is doing in their classroom to carry back over into the home, and finally, how to get the support of the actual center in helping with this, which would address the concern of the teachers that they are not on the same page with the owner and director as to what is expected of them. I think when the communication is started or implemented, the three entities would become satisfied. My previous paragraph sounds broad to some, but it has narrowed down a bit for me. Does anyone have any ideas how to have me tie this together or is it just too broad? Any thoughts on my pursuing the issue of race/bullying etc. that you see where you work in the early years?
Communication is the key to a successful classroom. As a director and a former Pre K teacher in a daycare setting, it is important that we educate our parents on the importance of their child’s early learning years. If you want parents to understand your role as an early childhood educator then parents need to understand how their child is learning and exploring through play and how our role is to scaffold their learning. One way we do this at our center is discuss what a child is learning during their day.
ReplyDeleteCommunication needs to be established prior to the family enrolling their child in the center. The director begins by establishing a working partnership with the family and teacher ensures that it is carried through into the classroom. If parents do not truly understand your role as an educator then you have not established a true working partnership in my opinion.
We focus on one center a month and discuss what the child is learning through play. Communicating to the parents is done through newsletters, classroom memos, class books, and “take home bags”. We also use current technology to keep our parents informed such as: emails, website, and facebook.
As a director, communication is always a concern with teachers. I have found that true communication becomes an issue when teachers are not happy for whatever reason. Some ways I communicate with my teachers is through our open door policy, monthly meetings, individual meetings, evaluations, emails, communication logs, and message boards. And even though I do all these methods I have teachers who from time to time who seem clueless. At these times I talk with my teachers and we try and find ways that will help them stay informed, if that is truly the issue. Active listening is a skill every director needs to ensure the effectiveness of their relationship with their teachers.
I must admit I did like your original thought on “bullying” and at what age does it begin. Although it is important to understand at a young age children are mimicking what they have seen and heard in their environment. Calling someone “gay” generally has no meaning to them at this age. I have seen children as young as three who have bullying tendency (but they also have some form of learning disability), I do not believe they have any understanding on what they are doing. Our role as educators is to teach children young on how to deal with certain situations such as hitting, kicking, biting, and taking toys away. As well as giving children the knowledge and skill to handle social situations. Good luck with whatever route you take!
Karan Player
Just trying to respond.
ReplyDeleteVickie
ReplyDeleteYou did an excellent job with your blog. You will find this topic very interesting as well as a little sad (bullying starts so young).