A final reflection of about 350-500 words is required to receive training hours and is in
addition to the required posts for training credit. All posts and final
reflections should be completed by Monday, March 12th.
Training
credits awarded based on posting to Introduction and Final Reflection PLUS:
- Attend both meetings + 8 or more posts
= full credit of 10 hours
- Miss one meeting + 12 or more posts = full credit of 10 hours
- Attend both meetings + at least 5 posts
= half credit of 5 hours
- Miss one or both meetings but do 8 posts
= half credit of 5 hours
First, write about the
connections you made to The Essentials: Supporting Young Children with Disabilities
in the Classroom. How was the book relevant to your work with
children and families? How did the reading and
discussion provide new perspectives, information, and priorities? Identify the specific ideas that came from the
book or the discussion as having the greatest impact on your thinking.
Second, write about
specific changes in your practices you will make as a result of this
experience. Do you anticipate changing
the way you plan and implement your program? The way you interact with children? The way you orient and train teachers? How you
will communicate to families the intent of your program and help them do
likewise at home?
In conclusion, share
any other final thoughts and your curiosities. What topics or ideas will you
explore further?
The reading and face-to-face discussions helped me to see that in order to provide a high-quality program and engage in best practice, our parents need to be considered partners in this process. The only way that they will be accepting of our philosophy and practices around the importance of providing an inclusive environment for children is if we include them in the conversation. At our next parent informational night in the fall, I will discuss not only information regarding schedules, routines, curriculum, behavior management, and social/emotional development, but will add the importance of providing an inclusive environment to our agenda. The more we educate parents, the more we educate their families and hopefully the community in which they live. Another opportunity to educate parents about what a high quality early childhood education will be in my next monthly newsletter. I often include information on topics related to early childhood education. I’d like to share some of the insight that I’ve gained in our discussions on inclusion as well as provide references to websites and relevant research on what it means to provide a high-quality education to young children.
ReplyDeleteThis year, as part of professional development, our center will be closed to give the staff the opportunity to attend the BAEYC conference and hear Dr. Brillante discuss ways to support children with disabilities in the classroom. I’d like the teachers to share their thoughts on universal design, inclusion, partnering with parents, the referral process, and what we can do to meet the expectations that go along with having a high quality developmentally appropriate environment. My role will be to ask them to answer questions such as; What changes do we need to make to support all children? What currently works well? Do staff feel supported when faced with challenging behaviors? How can we encourage peer to peer support? Are you allotted enough time to plan for the changes that might be needed to meet the needs of all the children? I hope to continue these discussions and check back in with teachers during staff meetings. It’s important to have ongoing discussions to stay relevant and to make sure that we figure out what works, what doesn’t, and how we can better our teaching practices.
Almost every year we are involved in the referral process. I really appreciate the way Theresa shared her experiences working with families. I agree with her when she says that “one of the most important roles that we take on as early childhood educators is that of parent support.” I plan on investigating the Federation for Children with Disabilities’ training on parent support and advocacy. As we know, many children come to us with undiagnosed disabilities and we are often a parent’s first professional contact when they have concerns or questions about their child. Partnering with families means supporting them in what can be a very overwhelming evaluation/screening process.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to connect with such experienced members of the early childhood community. I hope to see some of you at the BAEYC conference on the 16th.
Joanne,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your thoughtful and insightful reflection. It sounds like this experience will change your interactions with families and colleagues which means you learned! I like how you will continue to weave the topic of inclusive practices into your work with staff and families over time. It takes time for changes to happen. I enjoyed learning with you and your contributions caused me to think deeper about topics. See you on Friday at the conference!
I really enjoyed being a part of the discussion and sharing ideas. I really whish that I had more time to really dig deeper into the discussions, which I would have been more on top. I just had so much going on in our center and needed to focus on that as well. I did take away ideas that everyone shared and loved the book as well. The Webinar was knowledgeable and reminded me to stay focused on our teaching goals.
ReplyDeleteI was at a great conference over the weekend sponsored by FCSN, the Federation for Children With Special Needs. This is your “go to” place to connect parents with resources, knowledge and support. They even answer the phone for questions! So, I attended a workshop called “Watchful Eyes on Young Learners” presented by Carol Kinlan, Director of Admissions at Perkins. She was awesome. She began by assessing her audience and asked how many parents were there? Advocates? Educators? She gave credit to the Kindergarten thru 2nd grade teachers for having the difficult job of assessing and identifying young children at risk for learning difficulties. She moved on quickly, but my brain was screaming wait! We do all that but most Early Childhood/PreSchool teachers do it without support. We do not have the PT’s,OT’s, Speech/Language, Behavior Specialists, Counselors or Administration team down the hall. That makes a huge difference!
ReplyDeleteYet to the families we serve, we are the experts. We are very often the first professionals a family encounters except for those brief pediatrician visits. Our words matter. We must be compassionate and careful with our words. On pg 20 Brillante says “Parents and teachers can be strong partners in making sure that every child receives what she needs to be successful.” I believe together we can become the powerful advocate their child needs. This is true for normal needs children as well and especially true for a child with challenges. Years ago I realized that parents need to be nurtured as much as their children. I know who has time.? Think about how much time you actually spend with the parents. Five minutes on either end of the day at most. I tell my staff to help parents in and out. Hold those infants as they spend a minute helping their preschooler. Sincerely ask how they are. Share a positive moment talking of their child, even when it’s really hard to remember one. At every conference I remind myself to tell them they are doing a great job and say things like your child is so lucky to have you! I guarantee these are not words they frequently hear. They are very powerful coming from you.
I liked on Pg 21 Brillante says” Regularly communicating with a family about their child-his ups and downs, what he likes and doesn’t , how he interacts with others- gives everyone a better understanding of the child’s strengths and needs. It also assures the family that you care about their child and know him very well, and it helps build their trust in you. Trust opens the door to being able to share your concerns with them.” This is what I will take back to my staff. My note to myself in the margin said,”Don’t let difficult conversations be the only ones!”
Sometimes and often most times we won’t know the specific special need of the child. We support the child anyway. We do what Early Childhood Educators do best. We build relationships, we really get to know each child in our care and we all carry very large toolboxes to teach in a very all inclusive way every day.
Theresa, It was a pleasure learning with you. Your passion and commitment to the field are admirable. Stay positive and focused on relationships. I wish my students could observe your program. Sending wishes for safety and warmth as the next storm approaches.
ReplyDeleteI have had a number of children in my classes over the year some with a diagnosis of Austin. ADHD. Legally Blind and last year diabetes.that was the most challenging because it was something that required us to be on consist schedule for snacks. Lunch and or activity level. I have new perspective because we forgot about the child who had a special learning style but may not qualify for services through the public school system in their town. I have been impacted by the idea of lighting in the classroom , noise level, and the physical environment of the classroom and playground. Also stop to think when planning activities in the classroom and playground being able to allowing child to participate as much as possible. Often children who come with a diagnosis are real advocates for their children getting outside help from public schools or outside agencies. And that every child care learn it may require us as teachers to rethink our planning activities and requiring us to try things out of our comfort zone Mary MacDonald
ReplyDeleteI have already changed some of my practices by using behavior charts. Meeting with public school psychologists following their suggestions. Having a quieter classroom setting limits a firm but compromising way. See the positive in what each and every child brings to the classroom. We often have student teachers in our school which allows them to be exposed to children who learn differently what work for one child one may not work for another child on another day I only want these child to learn the skills from me that they need to be successful this year and next year to learn and grow to the best of their ability .When communicate with all families I always try to be positive, professional and polite and confidental because some one is always,watching and NAEYC Code of Ethics . When you are a mentor teacher you are told model for new teacher , substitutes and other that you come into contact with in the community and EEC community as well Mary Mac Donald Thank You I really enjoy the book and classroom discussion
ReplyDeleteHi Mary,
DeleteI can easily see how you connected participation in the blog discussion to your work with children. You learned about the importance of limiting noise and using a strength based perspective. I'm glad this was a positive experience.
This book discussion has been very helpful and rewarding to me personally.I’m very thankful for this great opportunity of meeting some of the best thinkers and builders. It helped me realize even more that I’m not alone in this , that every classroom faces one or more of these situations, but there’s help for every situation.
ReplyDeleteI will start thinking about the different ways to help families understand and learn the importance of early education. This will help them see what we really do in our classrooms . One of the ways for our center to do this would be to encourage parents to be part of our face book page . Here, they can watch videos of their children in action and view pictures, and read descriptions of all the activities that their children participate. Action speaks more than words! So I’m sure this will make a huge difference. Another avenue would be to talk to them during open houses. To explain to them about how a simple play dough making activity involves science , math and so on.
I like the fact that this book can be used as a hand book and a referral guide. I’ll definitely be sharing insight from this book with my co workers .
Hi Jeeva, You are one of the best thinkers and glad you feel supported by our group. I'm glad you will use the book in your teaching practice. Stay in touch with us and let us know about your successes.
Delete"Every child is unique, every child is capable of learning something, every child belongs". Pam Brillante's prolific words will become my new motto!
ReplyDeleteEven though I thoroughly enjoyed reading Pam's book, Supporting Young Children with Disabilities in the Classroom, the real take away, for me, was the valuable and insightful best practice that is put into place by my fellow early childhood professionals. My final reflection hinges mostly on the comments of my other "blog-mates". I originally came to this blogspot in search of real solutions to my most burning questions, in my classroom,but what I actually received was not only solutions but validation that what I practice in my classroom is truly in the best interest of my children and families.
If we are not learning, we are not growing! Many of Dr. Brillante's insightful suggestions encouraged me to bring new and valuable strategies to my staff and eventually implementing them in our classrooms. One such strategy is the important relationship of families and educators. The role of partner that the teacher lends to families, as Theresa so eloquently stated, illustrated the importance of that relationship. We must be there for the families, as a non-judgemental, supportive alliance. To truly forge a lasting and trusting relationship with our families can mean the difference in the life of that child.
I look forward to Dr. Brillante's key-note address this Friday. I'm excited to hear any new insight she might have to offer and to take away even more useful strategies for my staff and classroom.
Hi Amy,
DeleteI'm glad the book was a launching point and that you see our group as your resource. You made connections to the reading and discussion and learned from the discussion, You are curious about the keynote talk on Friday. I will look for you at the conference to compare our impressions of Dr. Brillante's talk. Be warm and safe, Sue