Relationships at the heart of development and learning!
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If you have questions or comments, you can communicate with your instructor by email at professionaldevelopment@clarendonees.org.
Course requirements:
- Complete all lessons and activities.
- Share your thoughts on the Course Discussion Board when required in the lessons by responding to the instructor’s questions. Feel free to offer positive comments to other participants! You must engage with the Discussion Board to pass the course.
- Complete the Knowledge Check.
- Complete the Course Evaluation.
Course Content
Course Discussion
As you progress through the lessons, please respond to the instructor’s numbered questions below (in bold text). Please click Newest below to see the questions in order.
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Question 4: Take 2 minutes and look around your immediate environment. Find something you might use to engage a child in a positive way. How would you use this item to engage a child in a learning moment? What is something you might find outdoors that you could use?
Question 3F: Thinking about the “junk mail” video, what would you have done differently or what could you add?
Question 3E: Thinking about the “junk mail” video, was this a win-win situation for both the child and the educator?
Question 3D: Thinking about the “junk mail” video, what did the educator gain/learn from the interaction?
Question 3C: Thinking about the “junk mail” video, what did the child gain/learn from the interaction?๏ปฟ
Question 3B: Thinking about the “junk mail” video, did the educator meet the child’s needs in the moment?
Question 3A: Thinking about the “junk mail” video, what strategies did the educator use?
Question 2: After watching the Helping Children Thrive video, please share one or two thoughts about positive everyday interactions in your program that help children thrive.
Question 1: What do you like/enjoy/appreciate in an interaction with another person?
I enjoy talking face to face , to see the body language . It’s personal especially when you are talking about their children you can see and feel the sincerity in the interactions.
I agree. Phone calls and technology are great, but a face-to-face conversation is best!
What I enjoy most about interacting with others is the reciprocal nature of these exchanges. In these interactions, we can share our ideas, thoughts, and feelings. I also appreciate having adult interactions at the end of each workday, especially after spending most of the day engaging positively with the children in my care.
Karen, well said. The everyday back and forth is important for adults too!
I enjoy interacting with the parents and children at the same time it is important for the children to see our interactions together , building trusting relationships with the parent and the child makes the child’s stay with you that much easier for all , in order for a child to communicate they have to feel comfortable with you .
Yes, talking with parents is a great opportunity to model positive interactions for children.
Thank you Karen! I love the idea of using keys and all the areas for engagement that you mentioned. I am glad you included outdoor ideas too. You could do a whole curriculum project around keys!!
I thought this was a great reminder of how important it is to serve the children. However, the whole family. When parents and teachers work together, it benefits the child the most!
You are so right, Jasmine! Children notice when family members feel comfortable with the program. Engaging with families is a great opportunity to model positive interactions for the children.
I love the smooth redirection , the educator used what she had on her which was her mail , she included the child with her without hesitating which made the child feel safe and comfortable enough to sit on her lap and fall asleep win win situation.
Exactly! It could have been a very different interaction, but the educator was empathetic and patient.
When I interact with another person I like to be an active listener, I don’t use my phone during the interaction. I look for common ground it helps for the conversation to flow naturally.
Varda, you are so right! Active listening is key to making the other person feel valued. The connection is stronger when you find common ground.
The Family Child Care educator in the video used โjunk mailโ.
The educator’s reaction in the video is spontaneous but based on experience.
Something I might find outdoors: There’s a bird feeder by one of the windows of the daycare. I would use it as a learning moment. Bird watching will relax the child as well
The bird watching idea is wonderful! It connects us to nature and can be calming .
Me gusta mucho hablar con los niรฑo y trato de entender el lenguaje de cada uno especial los niรฑo que necesitan ayuda por que usan mucho las seรฑales con las manos.solo uso el telรฉfono si necesito hablar con el papa para que me ayude a entender a su hijo.
Liana, es una gran idea pedirles a los padres que ayuden a comprender a su hijo. ยกGracias por compartir tus pensamientos!
I like to have an open communication with the parent as well as the children, when you talk to children openly you built trust. I also like to make face contact with them when talking for a stronger connection and better understanding.
I agree that face to face is the best way to connect, when possible. Yes, you are building trust by communicating openly.
Getting to know that person a little more with each passing conversation and learning to adapt to them as a person with their unique perspective of life and living that life to their best ability.
It’s a process that takes time, but worth it!
The infant I have in my program has become much more alert because I’m always talking to her as if she has asked me some important question. I respond to her cooing sometimes by repeating them or other times I would say something like, “Really! You did all of that last night and didn’t invite me? I asked you to invite me when you are doing these things”! She gets so excited!
Betty, this is a great story! You are making her feel like the most important person in the world, just what every child needs.
This course reinforced the importance of positive interactions with children. I found the serve and return section especially helpful and look forward to applying these strategies.
Excellent! The serve and return strategy is a great one to share with families. Thank you.
I love to include parents in our activities when possible, sending pictures or videos of their kids while being happy or just working. Also, I always try to let them know how the child’s day was and communicate at the end of the day if there’s something that needs attention.
It’s great to touch base at the end of the day, especially if you can share good news.
My positive interaction with my daycare kids begin at the door at drop off time. A big smile, a high five and some days a hug. It sets the mood for the day.
I love that it starts at the door! You are intentionally getting off to a good start.