Quality Early Childhood Environments for Young …

1 Quality Early Childhood Environments for Young ChildrenTRAINING FOR Early Childhood CAREGIVERS AND TEACHERSMODULE 4 RESOURCE GUIDEQUALITY Early Childhood Environments FOR Young children iMODULE 4 RESOURCE GUIDEQ uality Early Childhood Environments for Young children TRAINING FOR Early Childhood CAREGIVERS AND TEACHERSii MODULE 4 RESOURCE GUIDEThis guide is part of a series of manuals that focuses on six topics in Early Childhood Development (ECD): different programming approaches, basic concepts, assessments, Early Childhood Environments , children with special needs and child protection, and the health, safety and nutrition of Young children . The series was prepared within a three-year CRS-led project called Strengthening the Capacity of Women Religious in Early Childhood Development, or SCORE ECD.

2 Funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the project helps Catholic sisters in Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia in their work with children aged 0-5 years and their families. The project is being implemented from January 2014 to December referred to a wide range of documents in preparing this curriculum. Please see Reference Documents section in Module 1 facilitator or resource guide for the full by Selamawit Tadesse, in cooperation with CRS SCORE ECD by David SnyderCover photo: These mothers in Tanzania are showing off the toys and artwork they made using local materials as part of a Hilton-supported project that promotes one-on-one interaction between mother and child. Philip Laubner/CRSC opyright 2016 Catholic Relief ServicesAny reproduction, translation, derivation, distribution or other use of this work is prohibited without the express permission of Catholic Relief Services ( CRS ).

3 Please obtain permission from or write to:Catholic Relief Services228 West Lexington StreetBaltimore, MD 21201-3443 USAQUALITY Early Childhood Environments FOR Young children iiiTable of ContentsRESOURCE GUIDE 4: Quality Early Childhood environment FOR Young children ..1 Purpose ..1 SESSION 1: THE PHYSICAL environment ..3 Learning objectives ..3A safe and healthy environment ..3 The learning environment ..6 Arranging the physical environment : Space and learning corners for infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers ..9 Toys and their benefits ..30 Setting up educational toys in a child friendly space ..32A safe outdoor play environment : What does the playground contain? ..33 SESSION TWO: GROUP ACTIVITIES IN Early Childhood Environments .

4 35 Learning objectives ..35 What are group times? ..36 Why group times are important ..36 Morning activity ..38 Music and movement ..39 Storytelling ..43 Field trips ..48 SESSION 3: PROGRAM PLANNING IN Early Childhood objectives ..53 53 Principles of planning ..54A daily program ..54 Mixed age groups ..62 Team teaching ..62 Planning for the year ..63A theme approach ..67 Medium-term, weekly, and daily planning ..68iv MODULE 4 RESOURCE GUIDESESSION 4: SUPPORTING Young children IN LANGUAGE AND LITERACY ..71 Learning objectives ..71 71 What is Early literacy? ..71 How language and literacy develop ..73A print-rich environment ..73 Oral language ..74 Exploring the sounds of language.

5 76 Storytelling ..77 Print awareness and print motivation ..78 Reading aloud ..80 Early writing ..82 Partner with parents and caregivers ..83 SESSION 5: SUPPORTING Young children IN Early MATHEMATICS ..85 Learning objectives ..85 85 What is Early mathematics? ..85 How Young children develop mathematical skills ..86 Mathematical skills and concepts ..87 Mathematical questions ..88 Areas of mathematics ..88A mathematics environment ..102 Mathematics in the home and community ..103 SESSION 6: ADMINISTRATION OF Early Childhood CENTER ..105 Learning objectives ..105 105 Administration of preschools ..105 Financial records ..106 Administrative records ..109 Educational records ..113 REFERENCES.

6 117 Quality Early Childhood Environments FOR Young children vRESOURCE GUIDE 4: Quality Early Childhood Environments FOR Young CHILDRENR esource Guide 4 is one of six ECD Resource Guides from the CRS SCORE ECD curriculum. The six series to Early Childhood Programs to Early Childhood Young children s Early Childhood Environments for Young children with Special Needs and Child , Safety, and NutritionSAMPLE REVIEW All sisters/congregations and associations in the SCORE ECD project s countries found this curriculum very applicable to their ECD services and programs. It integrates spirituality and child development, and it is easily applicable at children s homes and Early Childhood centers.

7 Sister congregations/associations of the three countries worked hard together and contributed to make this curriculum workable. (Reviewer: Project Coordinator, SCORE ECD, August, 2015) There is a change in our ECD center because of the knowledge we acquired on how to assess Quality ECD Environments . Our ECD classroom has really improved with lots of learning and playing corners and activities for even very small children . We have come to appreciate locally appropriate educational toys for ECD activities. (Reviewer: Master Trainer/sister, SCORE ECD, Zambia, August, 2015) In our training we use our traditional songs for teaching children pre-math and Early literacy concepts. It was a good reminder to encourage parents and caregivers to use cultural songs to stimulate their children s have been helped to understand that in everything , water, stones, sticks there is a concept of math and literacy.

8 (Reviewer: Master Trainer/sister, SCORE ECD, Zambia, August, 2015) Quality Early Childhood Environments FOR Young children 1 Resource Guide 4: Quality Early Childhood environment for Young ChildrenPURPOSEThe purpose of this guide is to provide information on how caregivers and teachers can create Quality Early Childhood Environments that are safe and secure, healthy, and stimulating for Young children s learning in all areas of their guide is divided into six sessions: Session one provides information on how to create a safe and healthy physical space, and places and activities for learning in all areas of development. Ways of organizing these activities, creating age-appropriate toys from locally available materials, and guidelines for adapting materials and activities for children with disabilities are also introduced.

9 Session two focuses on planning and organizing group times and activities for Young children with routines, transitions, movements, field trips, and traditional songs, dances, and stories reflecting the culture of children and their families. Session three focuses on different aspects of planning programs for Young children that includes daily schedules and short-term and long-term planning. Session four focuses on how caregivers or teachers can foster Young children s Early literacy experiences speaking, reading, listening, and writing using everyday life experiences. Session five focuses on how caregivers or teachers can foster Young children s Early mathematical concepts such as numbers, patterns, measurement, shape, and classification using everyday play activities.

10 Session six focuses on how teachers can manage an Early Childhood center using administrative guidelines and procedures. Quality Early Childhood Environments FOR Young children 3 LEARNING OBJECTIVESBy the end of this session, participants will be able to: Know the attributes of a Quality ECD environment by observing an ECD center using the environment checklist. Create and organize development and learning activities in different play spaces with adaptation for children with disabilities. Create educational toys using locally available SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTA well-organized and child-friendly space promotes children s development and learning. A Quality Early Childhood physical environment1 is one that: Has space for play activities inside and outside the ECD classrooms Has different areas to learn different things ( , literacy, art, dramatic play, science, and math) Has playing materials suitable for children s ages, abilities, and interest Has a planned daily schedule Has a provision for children to feel and build up a sense of communityPriorities in setting up an Early Childhood environment are.