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Early
Learning Activities For Pre-K and Kindergarten
Every week there
will be a new poll placed on the front page of childcareland.com
. After the current poll is over check here for the results
and an explanation of those results.
(Week
of April 1 2008)
Sensory
tables or tubs are typically known as sand and water tables
and provide wonderful hands-on learning opportunities in the
early learning environment. Full-size sensory tables or individual
tubs along with variety of materials such as dried noodles,
river rocks, colored rice, playdough etc. can be used.
(Week
of March 24th 2008)
Bulletin
boards are an important part of an early learning environment.
They can be used to display children's art work and photos,
important information and notices, and theme related material.
To keep bulletin board displays interesting they should be
changed at least monthly.
(Week
of February 4th 2008)
Providing
care for children in your home can have its challenges, but
at the same time it can also be very rewarding. If you do
not have a separate room or area in your home for your child
care program it may be difficult at times to feel like you
have a place for you and your family that is just for you
and not child care related. Having a family that is supportive
of your career choice is important and can help ease the stress
related to not having a separate area for your child care
program.
(Week
of January 7th 2008)
A
time-out is a method used to guide children's behavior. Some
state licensing agencies have specific minimum age requirements
for when a child can be placed in a time-out (for example
in Wisconsin children under three can not be placed in a time
out in a licensed child care program). In a time-out a child
is usually removed from the area or group where the unwanted
behavior took placed and put in an area by his/herself (in
the same room within view of an adult) for a period of time
(usually 1 minute per year of age). Time-outs should be used
sparingly and usually as a last resort.
NAEYC
Article On Time Out
(Week
of December 26th 2007)
There
are several types of observation methods that can be used
in an early learning environment. One of the most popular
and easiest to do is the anecdotal observation method. Observations
are important because they give a teachers/providers a chance
to observe things about children that they may have not noticed
before and are also useful when planning curriculum. It is
important to remember that when using an anecdotal (written
observation) that you remain unbiased and non-judgemental
... only writing down what actually happens without drawing
conlcusions. Here is a great link using observations in your
early learning environment:
Head
Start Oberservation Information
(Week
of December 17th 2007)
There
are many factors that can cause someone to be unhappy working
in the field of early childhood ... stress ... burn out ...
low pay ... long hours ... conflicts with parents and co-workers
are just a few of the problems that can be encountered. For
most people the rewards of working with young children outweigh
any of the negative aspects.
(Week
of December 3rd 2007)
As
you can see from the poll results above there is a wide variety
of education levels of the people who work in the field of
early childhood education. Knoweldge of child development
is extremely important in providing developmentally appropriate
care and education for children ages 0-5.
(Week
of November 19th 2007)
Science
activities are very important for young children. You do not
need to have elaborate centers set up for children to participate
in science. There are many simple activities you can do such
as planting seeds ... exploring different types of rocks ...
putting an apple in a jar and watch it decompose over time.
I have put together a file of science
activities with the help of my wonderful list members
that will give your some great ideas for your early learning
environment.
(Week
of November 8th 2007)
The
population of children with special needs is growing ... especially
in the area of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). In most states
children with special needs can not be denied enrollment into
an early learning program. Teachers and providers of special
need children work closely with a team of professionals such
as occupational and speech therapists as well as parents.
(Week
of November 1st 2007)
Teachers
and child care providers are mandated reporters in most states.
Being a mandated reporter means that you are required by law
to report any suspected child abuse and or neglect to the
appropriate agency. It is important that you know that signs
of abuse and neglect and observe the children in your early
learning environment for any such signs.
(Week
of October 27nd 2007)
Most
states require teachers and providers to complete continuing
education yearly. These requirements can be met through conferences
... online trainings ... and classes on campus etc. It is
very important to stay current in the field of early learning
and care as the children are the ones who benefit the most.
(Week
of October 22nd 2007)
It
is very important to keep parents informed of their child's
progress in an early learning program. One of the best ways
to do this is through conferences with the parents. At this
time you can show them samples of the things their child has
been workiing on ... observations and evaluations you have
completed as well as any concerns you have about their child's
development. Conferenes also provide parents a chance to convey
any concerns that they have as well either about their child
or the early learning program itself.
(Week
of October 15th 2007)
Using
storytelling props can really liven up story time. Young children
are tactile as well as visual learners and using props during
story time can help hold their attention. Items for story
telling props can include: puppets ... felt board stories...
music ... magnetic board stories ... anything that is visual.
The key to using props is to have everything ready before
storytime and to practice before doing the actual story with
the children.
(Week
of October 8th 2007)
As
you can see by the above poll there is a variety in the length
of curriculum themes in the early learning environment. Ideally
themes should last as long as the children are interested
in it..
(Week
of October 1st 2007)
Music
and movement in the early learning environment builds large
motor skills ... social skills ... self-esteem and more. Opportunities
should be provided daily for children to hear music and to
move their bodies. Sing songs at circle time ... put on music
and have the children dance freely ... you can also have the
children pretend to be certain animals that you call out.
The "Hokey Pokey" and "Head Shoulders Knees
and Toes" are both examples of simple music and movement
activities you can do with young children.
(Week
of September 24th 2007)
Communication
with parents is very important. As someone who works with
children you are are in a partnership with parents to provide
the best education and care possible. One of the ways to communicate
with parents is by sending home newsletters. Newsletters should
be sent home at least once a month ... it is optimal to send
them home more frequently but sometimes time does not allow
that. There are many things you can include in newsletters
such as important things parents need to know .... field trips
... what you have been working on in the past ... what you
will be working on ... birthdays ...classroom needs ... pictures
of the children doing activities etc.
(Week
of September 17th 2007)
The
field of Early Childhood is a stressful yet rewarding career
choice. Wages are often low and burnout is high which often
leads to job turnover. Young children need a stable loving
environment with a long term teachers and providers. It is
important to note that those who answered that they would
not be involved in the field five years from now include people
who are also retiring (many whom have put over 25 years into
working with young children) ... not just those who are no
longer happy with the field and changing careers.
(Week
of September 10th 2007)
A
good early childhood curriculum program should be one that
is developmentally appropriate and addresses all areas of
learning and growth in children (social ... emotional ...
physical ... cognitive). Whether you purchase a pre-packaged
curriculum program or create your own keep in mind that the
curriculum you use should be child-centered, age/skill appropriate
and meet the needs of the individual child.
(Week
of September 3rd 2007)
The
early years in a child's life is an amazing time. It is during
this time period that children develop at an astounding rate.
Quality care and education is vital for children's success
and happiness as they grow and for later in life. We all have
our favorite age groups that we like to work with but all
children no matter what their age deserve to have safe and
loving environments to reach their full potential.
(Week
of August 27th 2007)
Being
part of an early childhood or child care association is
beneficial because it allows you to network with other professionals
in your field. They also provide annual trainings (often
at a reduced cost for members) to help you keep current
in your profession. There are national as well as state
and regional associations that you could join such as:
National
Association For The Education Of Young Children
National Head Start Association
National Association
For Child Care Professionals
National Child Care
Association
National
Association For Family Child Care
(Week
of August 20th 2007)
If
you are a child care provider it is very important that
you have a signed parent contract. What is a parent contract?
It is an agreement between you and your clients that states
what hours their child/children are enrolled at you center
and what the rate of pay is. It also includes your policy
on late fee payments .. bounced check payments ... vacation
time ... maternity leave etc. Redleaf
Press has many business resources for child care
providers.
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