CREATE A NOURISHING CLASSROOM CULTUREChapter 2

INVOLVE CHILDREN IN WELCOMING FAMILIES Room setup Use of language Daily routines Rhythm of the room What are we conveying to families, business

contract or a budding relationship? Strange relationship due to the exchange of $$$$

HONOR EACH FAMILY’S UNIQUENESS Remember that actions speak louder than

words. What are we conveying to families?

INVEST IN RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE ENTIRE FAMILY Families are having to entrust us with their

children, their ego extensions of themselves

KEEP CHILDREN CONNECTED TO THEIR FAMILIES Families of the children should be evident in

the classroom. We want children to feel comfortable in our

classrooms, but we are not replace the family Establish routines help children feel

connected to their families, state the day in terms of Mom’s return

GATHER FAMILIES FOR EXPLORATIONS Welcome the families at other times than just

when they drop off and pick up their child! Family meetings family fun nights, etc

FOCUS ON RELATIONSHIPS NOT RULES Focus on the relationships inside the

classroom not constantly how to behave in the classroom, even when we “sugar coat it” with “in our classroom we are all friends”, that might not be true if the children are not feeling it!!

ARRANGE YOUR SPACE AND ROUTINES TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY Home like environment, Well ordered Comfortable Different surfaces Sit on the floor and see how comfortable it

is… maybe that is why kiddos are wiggling at circle time!

GIVE CHILDREN OWNERSHIP OF ROUTINES AND SCHEDULES

Follow the natural rhythms of the children Allow children time to work on their activities

and time to develop their play!!!

USE CHILDREN’S IDEAS TO PURSUE INVESTIGATIONS Great way to teach perseverance Follow children’s interest Obviously a day when it is snowing for the

first time of the year, that is what the children are wanting to explore!

HELP CHILDREN SEE THEMSELVES AS LEARNERS

COACH CHILDREN TO DEVELOP NEGOTIATION AND COLLABORATION SKILLS Don’t solve every problem for the children Instead teach problem solving 5 finger rule

Calm Down Define the problem Possible solutions Decide on a solution Implement and evaluate solution

DEVELOP RITUALS THAT CREATE MEMORIES Follow the routines daily so they are part of

the life of the classroom, not just something to get through to get to the next activity

CELEBRATE REAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS Real accomplishments that mean something

to the child, not empty praise We do not want to create Praise Junkies