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Competency #1 Implement strategies that support diversity, cultural responsiveness and anti-bias perspectives when working with families and community

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Competency #1 Implement strategies that support diversity, cultural responsiveness and anti-bias perspectives when working with families and community

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I used to think/now I know:

1. I used to think that Welcome letters in the classroom were just something that could be sent out to introduce the teacher to the families. Now I know that they are a tool for facilitating events that can invite families to the classroom and learn about cultural differences.

2. I used to think that all parenting was done in a similar way (for the most part). Now I know that different cultures use different techniques, and have different norms within the family structure.

3. I used to think that families and children generally don't go through many troubles and difficulties in their family structures. Now I know that families experience trauma and all have their own difficulties that we need to have an anti-bias perspective on.

Three Examples from Learning:

1. I learned about learning about diversity in the classroom through our Welcome Letter assignment, and how teachers can invite families in to learn more information about the different family cultures.

2. I learned about this in our parenting styles assignment. Learning about the different parenting types such as authoritarian, authoritative, indulgent, etc.

3. I learned more about how families all have their own difficulties in our Supporting families in Difficult Circumstances assignment. Watching the Welcome to Holland video really opened up my eyes to the difficulties that families face in silence.

Implementation Strategies:

1. I will implement this learning in the classroom by having welcome letters/events/questionnaires in the classroom that families can choose to participate in to allow the teacher to learn more about the cultural differences of the family.

2. I will implement this learning by paying attention to the parenting that is used in the family structure during meet and greets/conferences/ect to understand the parent/child relationship that the child is exposed to at home.

3. I will implement this learning in the classroom by never making assumptions about the difficulties that families face, and always be willing to offer resources and supports.

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Competency #2 Analyze contemporary family patterns and trends.

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Competency #2 Analyze contemporary family patterns and trends.

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I used to think/now I know:

1. I used to think that there weren't many factors today that could influence a family. Now I know that there are many different family types and structures that contribute to how a family operates.

2. I used to think that family was just the people who are related to you. Now I know that not only can family be unrelated, but that there are 6 different family types.

3. I used to think that parents care too much about their kids (especially as a teenager). Now I know as an adult and parent myself that parents just love their children and want them to succeed in life.

Three examples from the learning:

1. I learned about the different factors that families face by completing a slide in our Trends in Contemporary Life assignment.

2. I learned about the different family types and what family structures my classmates have grown up with during our Variations in Family discussion.

3. I learned about this on my own when transitoning into parenthood, but also by reflecting on this during our Parents Care Deeply Reflection.

Implementation Strategies:

1. I will implement this in the classroom by not assuming that all of the children have the same family type/structure, and send home questionnaires that allow me to familiarize with the family structure at home.

2. I will implement this in my teaching by asking families about the important dates that families celebrate at home, and making sure that the child feels that they are included in classroom celebrations and festivities.

3. I will always not hold bias when talking with families who may seem like they aren't very involved in their child education. Because all parents care about their child, but may show that in different ways.

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Competency #3 Identify strategies to strengthen and support families

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Competency #3 Identify strategies to strengthen and support families

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I used to think/now I know:

1. I used to think that children with high ACE scores didn't have much chance to succeed. But now I know that five protective factors can make a difference in their outcomes.

2. I used to think that there weren't many community resources that are available to families in the community. Now I know that there are many easily accessible resources that families can utilize.

3. I used to think that there wasn't much that went into communicating with families. Now I know that there are strategies for more effective communication.

Three examples from the learning:

1. I learned about the five protective factors from part one of the strengthen family's assignments.

2. I learned about all of the great community resources available in my community through completing the community resource Google site project and conducting research on some great resources available.

3. I learned about the active listening strategy (SOUL) that promotes more effective communication.

Implementation Strategies:

1. It might be beneficial to send this information to families in some sort of newsletter that the school provides (bringing it to the attention of the family service coordinator).

2. It may be nice for families to view my Google site if they would like to see some available resources in the community (or send info in a brochure) that are available to those in need of them.

3. I will use the SOUL strategy when conversations with parents, students, and coworkers to ensure that they feel like what they have to say matters and promote better communication.

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Competency #4 Explore effective communication strategies

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Competency #4 Explore effective communication strategies

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I used to think/now I now:

1. I used to think that communication was relatively basic and could happen through one party. Now I know that communication is something that needs to be a constant back and forth with an understanding between the parties involved.

2. I used to think that communication was something that only needed to happen when there is an issue with a child in the classroom. Now I know that communication should be happening constantly to demonstrate the success and goals of the child.

3. I used to not think about how the contents of a message to parents could be misinterpreted due to cultural differences/family differences and bias. Now I know that families are all very unique and I need to make sure that I'm being inclusive to all when communicating.

Three examples from the learning:

1. I learned more about this through the chapter 4 material on communication and how to be more effective and overcome barriers in 2-way communication.

2. I learned more about this through the family case study assignment. That not only should an issue be addressed if needed, but also strengths and steps in the right direction.

3. I learned more about this in rewriting a classroom announcement for a luncheon.

Implementation strategies:

1. I will make sure to use effective 2-way communication when working with families and make sure to stay up to date on effective communication strategies (as they may change in the future).

2. I will make sure to always talk about the success of a child in my classroom and not just contact parents when there is an issue.

3. I will always make sure when writing to families that I'm being inclusive to diverse families and differentiate when needed (other language, etc).

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Competency #5 Discover strategies for developing respectful and reciprocal relationships with families.

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Competency #5 Discover strategies for developing respectful and reciprocal relationships with families.

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I used to think/now I know:

1. That involvement in the classroom didn't affect families. Now I know that they walk away from that experience with a sense of welcome/unwelcome based on their experience there.

2. That family events in the classroom weren't that important/necessary. Now I know that they are a key part of making families feel involved and included in their child's school life.

3. There are only a couple of things that we can do (events-wise) in the classroom. Now I know that the list is very extensive as to what educators can do to utilize events at the school/in the community/ect.

Three Examples From the Learning:

1. Completing the Your Experiences Discussion in our course really reminded me that families are affected by their experience in the classroom and it sets a course for the year.

2. Through the case study, I learned about the importance of holding events at the school. I also learned about this importance by participating in events at my practicum that allowed me to see the joy that events in the classroom bring to families and students.

3. Through the Family Involvement Collaborative Assignment, I learned about many great ideas that my classmates came up with to incorporate families into the classroom.

Implementation Strategies:

1. I will make sure to connect with all families during our welcome events (welcome to the classroom) and make them feel welcome and involved.

2. I will make sure to hold a few events that families can choose to participate in during the school year (even if not directly) to make them feel more involved with their child school life.

3. I will make sure to change up events in the classroom and offer at different times when available to involve families that may work during the school day.

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Competency #6 Analyze strategies to promote family engagement in early childhood education programs.

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Competency #6 Analyze strategies to promote family engagement in early childhood education programs.

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I used to think/now I know:

1. I used to think that all families are comfortable when walking into a new classroom (as they have experienced this before. Now I know that families still may feel nervous/anxious when sending their child off to school.

2. I used to think that Welcome Letters were something that was just unneeded information. Now I know that they are vital in giving the student and family more info about the teacher and classroom.

3. I used to think that transitions weren't a key component of a classroom. Not I know that they are vital, especially in a classroom that has an issue with transition. Also transitions are a good way to transition from home life to center/school.

Three Examples From the Learning:

1. I was reminded of this during our first experience discussion from our learning. It showed me that all of us have many different experiences with starting new things and that I need to keep that in mind when introducing the classroom/myself to a new family.

2. I learned about this through the Welcome letter assignment (creating my own), and again when creating one for the daycare center that I will be starting in my own classroom next week!

3. I learned about this by looking into the Successful Transition plan learning content, and by being in a classroom that didn't have transition plans.

Implementation Strategies:

1. I will try not to overwhelm families when introducing new materials or events in the classroom. This could be done by using a timeline or agenda on when to introduce material/send information.

2. Constructing a Welcome Letter that I can send to families to introduce myself, and start the foundations for building a relationship with the families.

3. I will look into transitions that my classroom can try to use, and test to see what transition works best for the specific groups of children that I work with.

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Competency #7 Explore a variety of formats for meeting with families in their contexts.

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Competency #7 Explore a variety of formats for meeting with families in their contexts.

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I used to think/now I know:

1. I used to think that it wasn't that imperative to keep in touch with the family in regards to their child success/difficulties in learning. Now I know that keeping the family involved is vital in communicating to families how their child is doing in school.

2. I used to not really think about differentiating communication for different families based on language. Now I know that some families may not speak the same language as I do, and may need a copy of communication in their spoken language at home.

3. I used to think that only one form of communication is necessary for families. Now I know that some families may have different preferences in communication and it is important to use other forms of communication (email, paper, phone call, etc.) to stay in touch with them.

Three Examples From the Learning:

1. I gained knowledge on this by completing the Case Study assignment and realizing that families shouldn't just be contacted to communicate a child difficulties.

2. I learned more about this through the Chapter 4 slide presentation (teacher presented material), and about the importance of learning a families communication preferences.

3. I learned more about other forms of communication that we can use with families through the Chapter 4 slides and video. Also through teaching in my classroom and noticed that some families don't respond to emails, but would rather have a written document.

Implementation Strategies:

1. I will make sure to always include a child strengths and what we may need to work on (goals) when discussing issues/concerns.

2. I can send a survey out to families individually to see how they would prefer to communicate (phone, email, notes, etc) and also to ask about what their home language is so that I know if I should change the language in the content.

3. I can make sure to send home paper copies of important documents and progress reports to families that may prefer emails. This ensures that just in case a parent missed the information in the email their is a paper copy that they can keep for their records.

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Competency #8 Advocate for children and families.

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Competency #8 Advocate for children and families.

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I used to think/now I know:

Three Examples From the Learning:

Implementation Strategies:

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Competency #9 Explore community resources that provide a range of services for children and families.

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Competency #9 Explore community resources that provide a range of services for children and families.

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I used to think/now I know:

1. I used to think there weren't enough community resources available to families. Now I know that there are many resources that families can utilize, and can be easily recommended to them by educators who are aware of them.

2. I used to think that the only resource my workplace offered was a food pantry. Now I know that my workplace (coordinated by the family resource department) has many resources available to families participating in our program.

3. I used to think that volunteering at a community event wouldn't be very interesting. Now I know that volunteering is a very rewarding experience and affects the children and families participating in the event immensely.

Three Examples From the Learning:

1. I learned more about all of the resources that are available in my community through completing the Google Site project and looking into many great resources that are available to those in need.

2. I learned more about through creating my community resource flyer and digging deeper into the offerings that my workplace family resource department has to offer to families.

3. I learned more about it through participating in the volunteer event at CVTC, and volunteering time to provide an engaging experience (STEM) to families and children.

Implementation Strategies:

1. I plan on sharing my community resource site with families in my classroom or offering a flyer/handout to those who are interested.

2. I plan on advocating more for the resources that the Family Service Department has to offer when communicating with families.

3. I would love to volunteer at more family and community events going forward and discuss with others how they can participate in volunteer events if interested.