Download - Create a Nourishing Classroom Culture
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