Creating Affirming Environments

 

 Creating Affirming Environments

 

Constructing a family child care home can possibly be challenging for some, who attempt to incorporate a learning facility in their living quarters, but can be beneficial for children, families and teachers, if put together properly.

 

If I am ever able to open my own family child care home, I would like to make my area as welcoming as possible, by first focusing on the visuals of my environment, using colorful papers on the wall, pictures and posters displaying alphabets and numbers, pictures of children of different cultures to let children see those that resemble them and the ones that do not, but giving a message showing that we are all together and we are all the same. upon entrance and signing in, to give families an idea of what their children will be learning. "An environment, rich with anti-bias materials, invites exploration and discovery and supports children's activities" (Derman-Sparks & Olsen, 2010). I would also be sure to add furniture in this entering area for parents as well, reflecting on the media segment where Adriana spoke on how separation would sometimes be difficult, I would provide space for children and families to cope with their situation. "I set up this area because some of the children are having time again to separate. Especially the preschoolers too. So some of them invite to read a book, to sit down and read a book for awhile." (Laureate Education 2011). Along with the area of entrance, there will be cubbies on the side wall where children may place their items, such as outerwear, backpacks and changing clothes, etc. I'd like to have an corner specifically for families that would like to visit or see what their child is learning or for other guests who may come by for observations. I'd like to provide a reading corner for children and a giant rug on the floor for story time, or independent reading. In the middle of the room would be for play, along with certain areas of different kinds of play, by means of a cooking area, puppet area, building blocks and cushion furniture for small children. On the side will be a table with chairs where children may do art, as in coloring, painting, and other activities that also requires them to sit. This table will also be used as the eating area once cleaned, for breakfast, lunch and snack time. There will be an area with cots and blankets for each child for taking naps.

 

 

Understanding that play is very important for young children, just as well as instructional time.

I would like to provide an area for outside as well as indoor. swings, sliding boards and an enclosed space where they may run. I would like to make the family child care home as comfortable as possible for children and families.

 

References:

Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

 

Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). Strategies for working with diverse children: Welcome to an anti-bias learning community. Baltimore, MD: Author