Intentional Teaching HOW TO TEACH

CLASSROOM WELCOME TEACHER STATEMENT Photo – Who are You? Education, Interests Partnership with Families Caring Community of Learners Teaching & Learning Effective Curriculum

Building Effective Partnerships with Families Chapter 7 ~ “Families play essential roles in every aspect of human development though the life span.”

Families Today

Be Successful with Families Accept these assumptions: Families are diverse in many ways Families are different and unique; not good or bad Families want the best for their children All families have strengths and resources, hopes and dreams It is not your right to pass judgment on families

Family Dynamics: Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Model The Child: Biology, Temperament, Abilities Interactions in Microsystem: Family, Community, School, Religious Affiliation (Mesosystems) Exosystem: Media, Law, Gov’t policies; Socioeconomic context Macrosystem: Beliefs and values, Cultural Context

Family Systems Theory Family members are interconnected parts with each member influencing the others in predictable and recurring ways Boundaries Roles Rules Hierarchy Climate: emotional and physical Equilibrium

Context & Families Families at risk Factors: dysfunctional, abuse, parental mental illness, substance abuse, illness Community factors: poverty, crime, unemployment, high levels of teen parenthood Resilient Families: Closeness, concern, caring and interaction create family strength

Reciprocal Relationships Three stages of relationships with parents Save the child Save the parent Draw on parents’ expertise Clarifying roles of Teachers and Parents Different but complementary roles Important boundaries Diverse expertise

Reciprocal Relationships Family-Centered Practice Provides resources and support to families that promote children’s development and learning and at the same time, strengthen the competence of families in their roles. Now recognized as essential elements of a high-quality ECE program. Reciprocal Relationships Two-way relationships in which information and power are shared. Develops in an atmosphere of: mutual respect, trust, cooperation and shared responsibility.

Effective Communication

Barriers to Effective Communication Competition I am afraid Madison loves her teacher more than me. When I left the center Madison called her teacher Mommy and I cried all the way to work. Guilt and loss I’m going to miss seeing my baby’s first steps” Differing child-rearing goals I don’t like Tawanna getting dirty at school. And I want her to learn to read to be ready for school, but they say that’s not important yet. And they let the children call them by their first names in that school. I want Tawanna to learn good manners. Power struggles They say I can’t send cupcakes for Sonya’s birthday because they’re not healthy food, but she wants cupcakes and so do I.

Welcoming Environment Communication Problems in School Welcoming Environment Confusion about regulations and policies Lack of flexibility Lack of attention to individual children

Effective Communication Types of Messages STYLES Tennis ball messages Tossed and easily received Slippery egg messages Difficult to toss and catch Must be tossed gently Passive Sensitive to the listener’s feelings Aggressive Truthful, delivery hurtful Assertive Truth in a thoughtful and considerate way

Involving Families WAYS Settings Parent Education Communication Volunteering Learning at home Decision making Collaborating with the community At home Child Care Preschool setting Public Kindergarten Inclusion 2nd grade 3rd Grade Classroom

Building Partnerships Clarity about preferences Ability to Communicate Ability to negotiate Willingness to learn and change