After involving myself in numerous aspects of early childhood education for the past couple of years now, I have learned that one can actually effect social change and create positive outcomes for both young children and their families by teaching the latter fundamental principles that are necessary to contribute to a progressive society. A large part of what we as educators do is help children to utilize the emotional, cognitive, and rudimentary physical tools that they have to cope with the vicissitudes of life. Moreover, by teaching them basic values such as temperance, patience, understanding, kindness, and consideration for others, we can actually help to mold these individuals into compassionate, intelligent, attuned people who are cognizant of themselves and of the others around them, so that they can positively affect the latter. I have learned that the early childhood educator's approach to this goal typically works well when it is synthesized with a similar approach from parents and home connections, and when the child's family seeks the same sort of goals.
Photo relates to: "Improving Access to Early Childhood Education." Follow the link: http://www.rand.org/topics/children-and-families.html
Mrs. Jay
Hi Cecelia Johnson.
ReplyDeleteWhat I usually instruct in my pre-k classroom to improve my student's positive outcomes is teaching and utilizing four behavioral trees. 1. Kindness Heart Tree is when students share, take turns, and say kind words to their friends. The students goes and move their heart to the kindness heart tree. Their heart has their picture and name label. 2. Helping Hands Tree is when students help their friends to clean their milk spills or cleanup in the classroom by putting toys away. Students who are recognized with their helping hands will move their helping hand to the helping hand tree. 3. Listening Ears Tree is when students listen to their teachers and friends. Students will move their listening ears to the listening ears tree. 4. Walking Feet Tree is when students walk in the classroom. Students will move their walking feet to the walking feet tree. While reinforcing these behavioral trees, students are learning basic values of temperance, patience, understanding kindness, consideration for others, and structure in the classroom. Thank you Vianey Garcia
Vianey,
DeleteI hope you do not mind that I will have to take this to my classroom next year. Thanks. Felecia
Thank you for sharing this resource Cecelia! I like that it spans all the way to age 18 and I like that it incorporates the community. I also like that it has global stories and information. Thanks! Cissy
ReplyDeleteCece,
ReplyDeleteIf I am not mistaking, I have ran through this website a while ago. Its a great site to use. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Vianey, Cissy and Felicia for sharing your feedbacks. I like the kindness heart treat strategy; keeping positive reinforcement within the classroom community.
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed day!
Cece