Interactions in the Early Childhood Classroom

1 Interactions in the Early Childhood ClassroomPresented by:Tym SmithEarly Care and EducationTraining and (972)200-0504 General Responsibilitiesof the Caregiver Youmustknowandcomplywithminimumstandards Knowwhichchildrenyouareaccountablefor Knoweverychild snameandage Supervisechildrenatalltimes,adjustingtoe achchild sdifferentageandability Ensurethatchildrenarenotoutofcontrol Befreefromdutiesnotdirectlyinvolvingthec hildren,suchasadministrativeduties,mealp reparation,and/orjanitorialduties Youmustinteractwithchildreninapositivewa y Fosterdevelopmentallyappropriateindepend enceinchildrenthroughplanned,flexibleact ivities Showappreciationofchildren seffortsandaccomplishments Communicatewithotherstaffmembers Youmustknowtheindoorandoutdoorlayoutofth echildcarecenter Beawareofneighborhoodcircumstances,hazar ds,andrisksWhat your Activity PlanShould Include Thegrouptheactivityplanisdesignedforandt hedates Avarietyofactivitiesdaily Indoorandoutdoorplayinwhichchildrenusela rgeandsmallmuscles Abalanceofactiveandquietplayincludinggro upandindividualactivities,bothindoorsand outdoors Regularmealandsnacktimes Supervisednaptimes Bothchild-initiatedandadult-initiatedact ivities Sufficienttimeforactivitiesandroutinesso thatchildrencanprogressattheirowndevelop ment NolongwaitingperiodsbetweenactivitiesKey Ingredients to Interactions Characteristicsofindividualstaffmembers Ageappropriateconversations Havingamixtureofchild-initiatedandadult- initiatedconversations Staffistointeractwhilemaintainingsupervi sionandhealthandsafety Staffmaintainsguidanceofthegroup CommunicationbetweenstaffmembersStep OneTeachers interact frequently with children showing affection.

2 Interest, and respect Teachersinteractnonverballybysmiling,tou ching,holding Teachersspeakwithchildrenateyelevel Teacherstalkandlistentochildrenduringact ivitiesandroutines Teachersseekmeaningfulconversations Teachersgiveone-on-oneattentiontoinfants duringfeedinganddiaperingStep TwoTeachers are available and responsiveto children Quicklycomfortinfantsindistress Reassurecryingtoddlers Listentochildrenwithattentionandrespect Respondtochildren squestionsandrequests Teachersareawareiftheactivitiesoftheenti regroup,evenwhendealingwithasmallergroup ;staffpositionthemselvesstrategicallyand lookupoftenfromtheinvolvement Teachersspendtimeobservingeachchildwitho utinterruptinganactivity-involvedchildSt ep ThreeTeachers speak with children in a friendly, positive, courteous manner Speakwithindividualchildrenoften Askopen-endedquestions Callchildrenbyname Includechildreninconversations,describea ctions,experiences,andevents.

3 Listenandrespondtochildren scommentsandsuggestions Teacherstalkwithindividualchildren,anden couragechildrenofallagestouselanguageSte p Four Teacherstreatchildrenofallraces,religion s,familybackgrounds,andcultureswithequal respectandconsiderations Teachersprovidechildrenofbothsexeswitheq ualopportunitiestotakepartinallactivitie sStep Five Teachersencouragechildren sdevelopmentofindependentfunctioning,asa ppropriate Teachersfosterthedevelopmentofage-approp riateself-helpskillssuchaspickinguptoys, wipingspills,personalgrooming(toiletandh and-washing),obtainingandcaringformateri als,andotherskillsNote:Culturalperspecti vesoffamilyorcommunitymayinfluenceexpect ationsforindependenceStep SixTeachers facilitate the developmentof responsibility, self-regulation,and self-control in children Teacherssetclear,consistent,fairlimitsfo rclassroombehaviorandinthecaseofolderchi ldren,helpthemsettheirownlimits Teachersusechildren smistakesaslearningopportunities,describ ingthesituationandencouragingchildren sevaluationoftheproblemratherthanimposin gthesolution Teachersencourageappropriatebehavior,pat ientlyremindingchildrenofrulesandtheirra tionaleasneededStep Six (cont.)

4 Teachers do not use corporal punishment or other negative discipline methods that hurt, humiliate, or frighten children Foodorbeverageisneverwithheldasaformofdi scipline Theenvironmentisarrangedsothataminimalnu mberof No s areused,especiallywithyoungerchildrenSte p SevenThe overall sound of the group is pleasantmost of the time Happylaughter,excitement,busyactivity,pl easantconversationratherthanharsh,stress fulnoiseorenforcedquiet AdultvoicesdonotpredominateStep EightTeachers support children s emotional development, assisting them to becomfortable, relaxed, happy, and involvedin play and other activities Comfortandreassurechildrenwhoarehurt,fea rful,orotherwiseupset Helpchildrendealwithanger,frustration,or sadnessbycomforting,identifying,andrefle ctingfeelings Intervenequicklywhenchildren sresponsestoeachotherbecomephysicallyagg ressive.

5 Discusstheinappropriatenessofsuchaction, andhelpchildrentodevelopmorepositivestra tegiestosolveconflict Encouragechildrentoverbalizefeelingsandi deas, ,discussalternativesolutionswithchildren 2yearsandolderStep NineTeachers recognize and encourage pro-social behaviors among children, such as cooperation, helping taking turns, talking to solve problems, and concern for others. Expectations of children s social behavior are developmentally appropriate. Teachers support children s beginning of friendships and provide opportunities for children to learn from each other as well as adults. Infantsinteract(look,touchgently,vocaliz e)freelywithoneanotherasteachersobserve, alerttorespondandmodelsafeinteractions Twopiecesofthesamepopularequipmentareava ilablesotoddlersarenotforcedtosharetooof ten Preschoolersareencouragedtocooperateinsm allgroups Kindergartnersworkwithsmall,flexiblegrou psonextendedprojectsandparticipateingrou pproblemsolving Schoolagechildrenhavetheopportunitiestop articipateingroupgamesortoworkorplayalon eStep TenTeachers use a variety of teaching strategies to enhance children s learning and development throughout the day Stimulatechildren sthinkingandextendtheirlearningusingverb almethodssuchasposingproblems,askingques tions,andmakingcommentsandsuggestions Introducechildrentonewexperiences,ideas, andchallenges Coachand/ordirectlyguidechildrenintheacq uisitionofspecificskillsasneeded,beingca refultochallenge.

6 ButnotfrustrateanychildOther Helpful Tips (Review) !Remembertogetdowntothechildren ,lookthemintheeyes,repeatwhattheysaytoyo u,thenaddress , .Avoidusingnicknames Askaboutthechildren sday,listentotheirresponse Initiateconversations Encourageanon-biasclassroom Havechildrenagreetolimitations Usesoftmusicintheclassroom,usesoftvoices ,leadbyexample Encouragechildrentohelpcleanu