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Developmentally Appropriate Activities

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If given the opportunity to explore what comes naturally, a child can learn and excel through acquired knowledge.  In order for Early Childhood Education to be effective with child development, it will not only involve the teachers but also day to day parental interactions. Theorists like Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky appear to contrast each other. While Piaget was an advocate of the Stages of Cognitive Development, Vygotsky focused on Social Interactions as playing a vital role in Cognitive Development. I am a proponent of both theories. The value of both can be seen in a child that’s given loving support and parent interactions on a daily basis as well as natural play.

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Standard One: Promoting child development and learning.

Children not only grow physically but also mentally, emotionally, and socially. From 0 through 5 years of age is the most critical stage of development for children. The brain is forming quickly. A child needs to feel safe and secure, well-fed and loved. A child can grow without these things but there will be a difference mentally and emotionally in his development. A child needs to feel loved, touched, talked to by the parents, family members and /or caregivers. The child will soak up the information you give him whether you are changing his diaper and talking about the color of his shirt, pants or other objects around the room. Parents can talk about the color of the sky or grass, trees and leaves or anything the child may see in the park. Verbally communication increases a child’s social and cognitive development. Under language and literacy, studies show that if the parents have verbal interaction with the child consistently, the child can have a vocabulary of 1500 words by the age of two.

‘Children use the large muscle group in outside activities’. (Copple and Bredekamp, 2006)   The outside play area needs to have a jungle gym, tricycles, balls and lots of space and time to run and jump. Quality Rated (QR) (a referral agency for quality child care programs to parents and families) implements initiatives to childcare centers.  QR states that children should have a full hour of outside play. In the 3 year old classroom, the setup is design similar to the GA Pre-K class with learning center areas. There is the block area with animals, cars, people, different types of blocks and books on cars, trains and planes.. In the Science area insects, magnifying glasses, tubes for science experiments, lizards and books related to science.  Dramatic play area has a toy stove refrigerator, food, dolls, bed, dress up clothes, doctor instruments and tools such as toy hammers, wrench, saw and measuring tape. In the math area there are puzzles, interconnecting blocks, string puzzles, pegs and boards. There is a cozy library area with developmentally appropriate books. There is a writing area with different types of writing paper and pens. In the art area, there are different types of paper, glue, crayons, pens, pencils, markers, scissors, paper, cotton balls, paint, googley eyes, glitter and other items for creating. There are also computers with education games. There is also a music and movement area with different types of instruments.

In the one year and two years old rooms there are three centers in the classrooms but all areas include a dramatic play area, block area, art area, a cozy library area and a music center. In the infant room, there are lots of toys for the babies to do floor play. There are blocks, soft toys, stackable toys to stimulate growth and development.

The schedule such that less time is given to teacher directed activities and more to student led. Hand washing is required for all staff and students. The practice of good hygiene is necessary for the prevention of childhood illnesses. It can stave off viruses. During diaper changing, the teacher will wash her hands before touching the child to be changed. All items such as diapers, wipes, clothes (if necessary) and diaper cream. The child is placed on changing paper. The teacher removes clothing. If it’s a wet diaper, the teacher will use two wipes. The teacher will use each wipe only once. The teacher will wipe from front to back. Afterwards, the teacher will dispose of the gloves and dirty diaper in a hands free trash can. The teacher takes the remaining wipes two wipe her hands and those of the child. The teacher will put on a new diaper replaces the clothes. She removes the child and washes his hands. The teacher will then use a soap bottle and wipe off the table. She will then use a bleach bottle, spray on the surface and leave for two minutes. The teacher will then wipe off the surface and wash her hands afterward. This occurs throughout the day. The diaper changing should appear fluid throughout the day. Tables should be soaped and bleached throughout the day. Toys should be sanitized daily.

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International Feast - Parents bring a dish from their culture.

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Fall Festival - Father running a cookie decorating booth.

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Standard Three: Observing, documenting and assessing to support young children and families

The purpose of the Assessment process is to find out what a child knows. Then use the information to development the curriculum and lesson plans for the child continued development. During observations, the teacher will take ‘anecdotal notes are factual non-judgmental observations of observed activity. These records provide essential information about a child’s progress and activities in the classroom and information on what occurs in the classroom’s everyday environment.’(McAfee, Leong and Bodrova, 2004)

Cameras and video recording provided you have the parents’ permission can be used in student observation.

Tablets and desktop computers can be used for students with disabilities. Twice a year we do a parent teacher conference at which time we share our observation and assessment. This gives the parent time to voice concern or any areas of improvement that their child needs to make. This time can be used as a team approach

We have used the lesson plan to get more teacher interaction for those students struggling with language issues. I have referred several parents to Babies Can’t Wait and Preschool Special Needs Cherokee County.

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Accomplishment.

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Standard Six: Becoming a Professional

I’m a director at Kids Haven Learning Center located at 5480 Bells Ferry Rd. Acworth, GA 30102. I am a member of the Georgia Preschool Association. We follow the guideline of case no harm to a child, parent or teacher. I’m currently taking the Practicum class at Chattahoochee Technical College. I plan on moving on to the Internship to complete my diploma in ECE. The next steps are completing the courses necessary to obtain my Associate Degree at Chattahoochee Tech and transfer to a university to complete my Bachelor’s degree. I take additional online classes. I stay abreast with newsletters and articles from Bright from the Start and Quality Rated.

Kids Haven received their two star rating from Quality Rated in May 2017.  Kids Haven focuses on the needs of the students. The center’s goal is to make sure the teachers have the support needed to run the classroom effectively. There is constant encouragement to all teachers in the center to further education.  We use Decal Scholars Scholarship and Incentives to motivate the teachers to continue to grow. When we get difficult students in we do our best to keep them in the center. We look forward ways to encourage guidance.