A couple of months ago I decided to sit down under a tree when my class was outside at the playground. I just wanted to see what they see and put myself into a child's shoes. I actually had an awesome time doing that. I was shorter than the children so when the children talked to me they looked down upon me, which was nice for a change. It made my view completely change mainly on how we stand tall next to children but when they talk to us we stoop down to their level. A lot more children came up to me to talk and to just sit with me. I think it was a positive experience for both myself and for the children. This helped me understand the greater expectations when designing a program environment that nurtures the community along with the children and families attending the program. The program I work at has six buildings with two classrooms in each building. My director always tells us staff to think of our program as being like a village. So being able to read about this in the text was encouraging to me to know that other programs are like this as well, because it does work, especially in larger programs. I really enjoyed reading about the strategy Explore the environment as a child might, because it's important to set up your environment that will interest the children of your program. That is why I sat down under the tree, so that I could understand and observe how children explores and interacts with the people and things around them.
As staff members at programs, we do spend a lot of time in and out of the program (as noted on pages 74-75). We spend our days with children, families, and other teachers. It's like our home away from home. I feel that my workplace is like another family. I have been lucky to have co-workers that support me in my professional life, education, and personal life and that is truly rewarding. A lot of them are older than me so I look up to them for advice and we all share friendship with each other. We all are like an ohana at my workplace and I wonder if other programs have that same type of atmosphere. That raised a question, how do directors create an environment that consists of a family-like atmosphere for the staff in the program? When the atmosphere is fun and exciting, work is more fun and exciting. When work is more fun and exciting, things will get done in the program and the teachers will be happier and thus, the children will receive better learning experiences. Every teacher does have their own way of teaching and views on teaching, conflict will always arise in the workplace. But when the director is able to create an environment that is open and willing for discussion on new ideas between the staff, that is an environment that will be easier to work in.
I liked your main question. This chapter talked about ways for programs to ivolve families to create a family like feel. Do program directors look at ways to make the staff feel like family. I recently graduated and I'm new to the working field. My first job as a sub. preshool teacher was for the same company I work for now but they have many sites throughout the island. I would sub. at my daughter's old preschool where I also did my practicum. I loved it over there because all the staff took care of one another. These are women who have many years of experience working with each other. Even if I don't work at that site anymore they have become not only professional but personal friends of mine. At the site that I'm now at, which I've been at for little over a month they make me feel welcomed. It was also nice that our boss came to our first site meeting and had a welcoming part for me in before we started.
ReplyDeleteAshley,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing about your experience. I think that it is great that you want to view things through the eyes of your students. I agree with you, I think it is really important for us as adults and educators to understand our children; and talk to them not down at them. Through my school years and my siblings experiences in school, there were many teachers who talk down to their students. They wanted to "control" everything. Students need to learn appropriate behaviors and know things like when to play and talk and when not to, but they also need to be respected as well...I also agree with you that the relationship between teachers, co-workers and students' family members do affect students' learning as well as their learning environment. Teacher need to be willing to work with families and co-workers and work through any conflicts that might come about professionally. Good post and thank you for allowing me to comment on your blog.
Hi Ashely,
ReplyDeleteNew perspectives are always powerful!! How can a director taking on the perspective of a child, family, or teacher influence her practices? Can your experience be a means for an entire center to rethink policy and practices so a variety of perspectives are honored?
From another point-of-view, can attempting to understand different perspectives be done without talking and interacting with each person? How might conversations with children impact an understanding of what it means to be a child in that point of time? Would conversations need to continue to happen in order to continue to create supported environments for children? What role does a director have in ensuring this practice?
Jeanne
Hi Ashley,
ReplyDeleteWhen setting up ECE environment, we need to make it inclusive for children, families and staff. How do staff create an environment and atmosphere full of opportunities to help build positive relationships? How does a culture friendly and engaging environment work to our advantage? How does an environment help make learning enjoyable for children? You are right, seeing things from the children’s perspective, at their level, is totally different and exciting experience. How can you take your new experience and apply it to your everyday practices? What other positive and encouraging ways can inspire you from that experience?
Hi Ashley,
ReplyDeleteWhat other activities can adults engage in, as you sat under a tree, to better understand how children engage their environment and one another? You mention that your work place is like another family and that your co-workers support you in your professional, educational, and personal life. What is it that makes your program so special and encourages and fosters these types of supporting relationships? Why do some programs have these types of ohana-style environments while other do not? How much does a program’s culture, as well as its director, influence the staff, parents, and children? How much do the staff, parents, and children influence a program?