Child, Family, and Community: Family Centered Theresa R. Moore ECE 313- Final Paper February 19, 2012 Dr. Alicia Holland-Johnson The Child in Context of Family and Community “Each child must be viewed in the context of his or her family, and each family must be viewed in the context of the community to which it belongs” (Menza-Gonzalez, 2009). Educators who have a deep-rooted respect for their students and families will use decision making skills to enhance the general relationship, communication, and services provided to connect and help to develop a child into a society of life long learners and citizens. “A family- centered approach takes the individual child and the group of children out of the spotlight and instead focuses on the children within their families. That means that parent involvement isn’t something the teacher does in addition to the program for children, but that the program includes the family as an integral, inseparable, part of the child’s education and socialization. Families, along with their children, are the program” (Menza-Gonzalez, 2009).
The Reporting and Assessment Advice ensures that outcomes of these environments are communicated regularly to parents providing them with “easily understood information about how their child is progressing and plans for future learning.” Through my teaching practices, I mindful that my teaching strategies and abilities need to combine with those set out in the initiatives and methodologies to provide a safe and engaging learning environment for all students. My studies and practices have given me the opportunity to apply my understanding and knowledge of the stated
Teachers who truly value the family’s role in a child’s education, and recognize how much they can accomplish by working with families, can build a true partnership (Dodge, Colker, and Heroman, 2002, pg. 211). The curriculum is based around the theories of: Abraham Maslow (basic needs and learning), Jean Piaget (logical thinking and reasoning), Lev Vygotsky (social interaction and learning), Howard Gardner (multiple intelligences), and Sara Smilansky (play and learning). These theorist help mold the foundation for the curriculum that is used in many classrooms today. The Creative Curriculum enhances social/emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development.
Since, I have been thinking of different ways of creating environments, seeing children’s strengths, abilities, and communicating with families during this class, I am going to briefly discuss two things I plan to implant in my professional experience. First, I would have a discussion with my supervisor and staff to come together to help enforce more universal design learning our facility. UDL is As I read the statement in “Early Childhood Inclusion: A Summary”, I came up with the conclusion of what the creation of a sense of belonging and membership, positive relationships and reaching full potential means when working with all young children and families. First, I would make sure that my classroom environment accommodates all my students and the parents feel comfortable with their child in the environment also. Throughout my teaching career and working with all children and families I have discovered that the best
I gave the families a chance to give input on the child’s development plans and how well they felt the child’s welfare could be improved. During meetings with the families I gave the child the opportunity to introduce self and the family. I also gave the child the opportunity to participate in discussing and making choices about their own learning outcomes. 1.1.B. Now think of another situation when you were able to treat children, young people, their families and their carers as equals.
This approach is also a very important part of the government framework of Every Child Matters which states that we should be working together to achieve the best possible outcomes for children in our care. The Early years foundation stage, states that different professionals working together will help to improve outcomes for children both in their learning and development. So by sharing records or observations of a child by a professional such as a speech or language therapist may contribute to further assessment. Inclusion is an important
Parents / carers have a right to know how their children are managing in school and indeed the sharing of information means that parents / carers can follow the same processes at home should they choose to. Parents / carers are far more involved in the setting now. They may spend time in the setting, share ideas and most importantly, share information about their child with the practitioners. This is especially important in the case of children with Special Needs so that therapies, methods of calming etc can be passed on to the
Good relationships, clear communication and common goals between parents and practitioners are crucial to the successful delivery of an effective service. Every major legislative or policy document contains reference to ‘partnership’ and the importance of ensuring that parents are informed about and involved in strategies and approaches to the care and education of their child. Partnership with parents is based on the belief that good working relationship, clear and mutual communication and common goals between parents and professionals are crucial to the successful delivery of effective services to children. MacLeod-Brudnell (2004, p.412). Partnership with parents should be a key aspect of provision.
A. The ability to target each child’s individual needs and capabilities increases the learning potential and improves their overall interest in the educational process. 1. “Research now indicates that the home is by far the best situation for most special children, so HSLDA highly recommends homeschooling any child with a learning disability or special need” (Wright, 2006). 2.
1. As a teacher, I can promote resilience in my classroom by creating positive and caring relationships with my parents and children. Promoting caring relationships with my families would be top priority in my classroom. Parents have to trust that their children are safe and welled cared for when they leave their children in my care. For example, I would host a family day where the students can bring their parent s to school for the day.