One of the first things I would do when creating an affirming home child care environment is invest in a good camera! As Derman-Sparks and Edwards (2010) noted, cameras allow you to personalize your learning materials to reflect the children and families in your care. Individual photos can be mounted to wooden blocks so children can insert themselves into block play. Additionally, photos can be taken of their community (stores, library, churches, fire station) and mounted on blocks so they can engage in block/creative play within their own familiar community. Cameras are also great for taking pictures of children's creations (art, block towers) and posting in that particular area to help develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments and to help them take ownership and feel a sense of belonging in their home care environment. Photos are an effective way of documenting a child's daily activities so parents feel like they have a window into their child's day. Additionally, photos can be used to make books that reflect the children's families, likes and dislikes, and other aspects of their identities (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010).
Children get an impression of what is and is not important by what they see and do not see in their environment (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010). Therefore, I would be sure the learning materials would reflect the children's cultural, familial, racial, and economic backgrounds; as well as different physical disabilities. Derman-Sparks and Edwards (2010) recommend more than half the materials directly reflect the identities of the children with the rest of the materials reflecting different identities that are not represented in that particular group to introduce them to more diversity - to expand their horizons. It would be important as Derman-Sparks and Edwards pointed out that the learning materials do not depict stereotypes or misinformation. Rather the materials should stimulate conversations about differences and an appreciation for them. One of the things I especially liked in Adrianna's home daycare (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011) was the skin toned bean bags and I would place them near a full length mirror so children could hold them up to themselves and each other to identify similarities as well as appreciate diversity. Bean bags are great tactile tools as well when children need stress release.
I would have an area set aside for families to bring in items to display, similar to the area Adriana (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011) created, that reflect their way of being. Displayed with these items would be a family picture. I would like that to be an area where children could gather for share time and book time. I would encourage families to send a family member at least once during the year to read their child's favorite book to the class and to also talk to the children about the items that are on display from their family as well as share some special food or music their family enjoys. If the families were English language learners I would ask them to read in their home language and to teach all the children a how to say some words. I would make sure that some of the music I play throughout the day is sung in the home language. I would ask families to help me make signs or labels regarding learning materials in the home language as well. I would recruit family volunteers or community members to volunteer to spend time with us to bridge communication. I'd like to have a monthly family newsletter with photos of the sharing times when families come to visit so they can get to know one another.
I have been so impressed with persona dolls. I would definitely have some available to help children resolve conflicts and develop empathy for one another and to explore misconceptions. Persona dolls and books depicting scenarios that stimulate critical thinking and discussions about issues of fairness and respect would be essential items to round out the home care environment.
Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.: NAEYC.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer) (2011). Welcome to an anti-bias learning community [Course media]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_2819834_1%26url%3D
Suzi,
ReplyDeleteI love the camera idea! I saw on another post that the teacher at the beginning of the year gives her families disposable cameras to take pictures and then she prints them and makes books out of them so children can share them in the classroom. Great idea and by the way persona dolls are awesome too!
Hi Suzanne,
ReplyDeleteI liked the use of cameras to take pictures of children’s creations. I usually take photos of children in their different daily activities throughout the year and at the end of the year make a photo DVD for each child as a remembrance of the year gone by. But taking pictures of their creation and putting that up on the wall during the year would indeed give the child a sense of accomplishment and even motivate them to do better. This is something I will definitely implement from my next academic year. Thanks for the idea.