discussion 1.3

[Robi Woodason]

How can you make sure ALL families receive encouragement in supporting the development of their children?


I think the biggest way to support all families is to not discriminate against any student just like it says in the Child Care Center Licensing Guidebook. No one student is the same so it is only fair if teachers and specialists are equally proactive to meet each students developmental needs. To not discriminate is key to support all families regardless of their backgrounds. I think another important aspect of supporting all families is taking the time to analyze each student's grow. Teachers should have on record each student's growth. Communication to parents is also a big deal for a student to thrive developmentally. It takes the teachers to make the time to keep developmental records and not discriminate and the parents to create a communication pathway to talk and respond to teachers.

[Chelsea]

How can you make sure ALL families receive encouragement in supporting the development of their children?

I think it is extremely important to focus on the family of the child you are working with as much as the student themselves. After all, children learn from their families first. So, we can often learn more about the child we are teaching through bonding with their family as well. Something as simple as making sure you know every parent or family member by name can make a huge difference. When time allows, try to learn more about the child's environment at home by encouraging conversations around family activities, schedules, hobbies, etc. Once you know more about the child's home life, you can start to incorporate that into how you teach the child and help them succeed in the classroom.

[Irina Negrean]

It is so important to be open-minded when working with children and their families, and to accept each family's uniqueness. Nowadays there is no longer a nuclear family - each structure stands uniquely on its own and has value. Understanding how each family functions allows us educators to adapt our style and method of teaching to suit each child. Families and their voices should be the strongest factor in how we educate. We need to acknowledge the specific challenges faced by any particular family and we must build partnerships with families in order to create a strong program, supportive of all children.

[jennifer]

I have worked with many families and kids of all ages, some are older some are younger some are crazy and some are kind of would rather be by themselves and I think its important to support them with how they learn so that the family knows I support how they are teaching there kids. its also important to support each child in each and every way. to know that they are smart and to praise them when they make and accomplishment!