Creating
Affirming Environments
Creating
an environment that reflects the diversity of children and their families
supports the teacher’s aim of making the classroom conducive to learning. In the classroom, children must be
comfortable enough to freely express him or herself through learning. Parents must be comfortable enough to know
that his or her child will be safe and will learn. Lynch (2016) explains that “Staging the physical space, getting the students to cooperate, creating
a communal environment, and maintaining a positive classroom climate and
culture increases the opportunity for children to learn” (par. 1). Learning
involves giving children the ability to explore, grow and develop. Copple and Bredekamp (2009) share children
develop when they have secure consistent relationships with responsive adults; mentally
active in seeking to understand the world around them; and are challenged to achieve at a level just
beyond their current mastery. Children learning takes place in the environment during the lessons and activities which
influences the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive domains.
The physical space must
be clutter free with all manipulatives, materials and other resources
accessible to the child. The
manipulatives, materials, and other resources should be age appropriate, tailored
to meet the child’s individual needs, and interesting. The classroom would
include a library, cozy corner, science, math and literacy, music, dramatic
play, blocks, and physical development area.
In each of the areas there will be a variety of manipulatives on the
shelves at the children’s eye level. The
manipulatives will be top free so the children can play with what he or she
chooses to play with while in the learning center. The cozy corner will include a rocking chair
as well as a nook with shelves for books.
Castillo (2011) shares that teachers should “Support the children’s
lives, their family’s lives, and listen to them (p.7). Using the environment to help support the
children causes the child to desire to interact in the environment as well as
with the teacher.
References
Copple, C. & Bredekamp, S. (2009). Developmentally
Appropriate Practice in Early
Childhood Programs
Serving Children from Birth through Age 8. 3rd ed.,
Washington, DC: National Association for the
Education of Young Children.
Laureate Education, Inc.
(2011). Strategies for working with diverse children: Welcome
to
an anti-bias learning community. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Hello Geneen,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your informal blog. Anti-bias education should reflect the diversity in your classroom. It is of the utmost importance for children to be in an inclusive environment where diversity is embraced. When we embrace diversity, this lets every child know that they are not invisible that you are there to support and encourage them within their own identities. This encourages and build confidence in each child. Affirming environments promote and foster learning about one's self and others around you. An affirming environment is a safe, secure, welcoming environment. In an affirming environment we declare support for belief in self (Affirming Environment). This means that the curriculum and instruction support all diversity in an inclusive equitable manner.
Beverly
Hello Geneen,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your informal blog. Anti-bias education should reflect the diversity in your classroom. It is of utmost importance to be in an inclusive environment where diversity is embraced. When we embrace diversity, this lets every child know that they are not invisible.
The identity of differences is discussed, recognizing each child as a vital person in the classroom. Affirming environments promote and foster learning. It is a place where every child is safe and recognized in his own identity. In an affirming environment, we declare support for a belief in children (Affirming environments).
Beverly
Hello Geneen,
ReplyDeleteChildren should feel comfortable as well as their parents. Feeling comfortable will allow them to enjoy the process of learning and enjoy going through the process with a person they know cares about them.It seems that you will have the appropriate learning space and you will strive to make everyone happy.To support the children and their families are so important and in order to do this you must listen so you are on the right track to a great classroom.
Geneen,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blogpost and I particularly like the fact that you incorporated developmentally appropriate practices in your family child care home. It is important for children to feel a sense of independence when choosing the activities they want to engage in or even the resources they need at any point in time.