The website I chose to following is the CCEI (Child Care Education Institute).
The information that I particularly found relevant to my current professional development was from this month's newsletter, Technology and Interactive media in the classroom. Our center recently purchased a Smart Board. This is an interactive whiteboard. "SMART solutions offer teachers multiple ways to get young students excited about learning and prepare them for a lifetime of achievement in school and beyond" (Smart, n.d.). We now live in a technology based world, therefore, it is important to integrate computers, smart boards, tablets and other devices in early childhood classrooms.
The article on Science in early childhood classrooms made me understand the value discovery has on young children. Science education encourages exploration, experimentation, and observation (CCEI, 2015). Children as early as birth are natural born observers. They are constantly looking for things to explore. Last June's issue goes on to explain that early childhood professionals must recognize and take advantage of these natural characteristics, providing appropriate guidance and experiences to help young learners expand their knowledge and skills(CCEI, 2015). Young children are also natural born investigators constantly asking questions that begin with what, how, why, who and where. These are great opportunities to integrate scientific questions and lessons. After reading this article, I am inspired to incorporate more hands on science activities in my planning.
In CCEI's volume 9, issue 12 newsletter, New Federal Law Brings Important Changes and Improvements, the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act of 2014, will have a substantial impact on access to quality care for millions of working families across the country (CCEI, 2014). This means that grants were funded to state to safeguard the health and safety of children, improve program quality, help families who receive assistance, and overall strengthen early education and care of children (CCEI, 2014). This article may be a little outdated but is it great to know that politicians are working together and more funding is readily available for states.
Other new insights I gained was in October's Newsletter, CCEI talks about SIDS. "Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexplained death of an infant younger than one year old" (CCEI, 2015). I was surprised to learn that at least 1 out of 5 cases of SIDS in the U.S. occur in child care centers (CCEI, 2015). Although this has never occurred in our center, I believe it is important to receive the proper training in reducing the risk of SIDS. According to this article, many states have begun to require training on SIDS even though there are many mysteries as to why "crib death" happens. "Infant caregivers should already be aware of these basic practices: put infants to sleep on their backs; no blankets, sheets, or plush toys in the bed; do not swath infant too tightly in blanket or layers of clothing; and do not smoke near infants" (CCEI, 2015). Educators as well as parents of infants should be aware of this term and informed on ways to reduce the risk.
References
CCEI. (2014). Newsletter Archive of Monthly Online Child Care Training Newsletters. Retrieved from http://www.cceionline.edu/index.cfm?id=56
CCEI. (2015). Newsletter Archive of Monthly Online Child Care Training Newsletters. Retrieved from http://www.cceionline.edu/index.cfm?id=56
SMART. (n.d.). Early Childhood - SMART - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Retrieved from http://vault.smarttech.com/stimulus/early-childhood.asp
Andrea,
ReplyDeleteGreat post you included a lot of useful information. Science is a huge part of my classroom because it leads to learning in every area of the curriculum. I was wondering how is the smart board working in your classroom? I would love to get one and I have thought about applying for a grant to fund it but I was wondering if you give me some specific information on how it helps in an early childhood classroom? We have implemented the use of i-pads this year and the students enjoy using the i-pads. We have only installed educational games and we limit usage to 5 min. screen time/ day or 30 min. per week. Do you have any thoughts on this?
Thank you,
Susan
Andrea, I am sooo jealous that you actually have a whiteboard in your classroom. I work at Head Start in Texas a couple of years ago and we had one in our classroom. It had so much to offer that our children wanted to use it continually. I wish that every early childhood classroom would be afforded the opportunity to have a white board in their classroom. I do know how well you know your white board but if you get to know it well you will be able to offer your children active and engaging learning that will last. The information that you shared is useful and will be added to my resources. I do not think there is such a thing as too many resources. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLaRhonda
Andrea,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this information. This information was very knowledgeable and I learned many different things from your post. I know at the head start I work at the teachers would "Greatly" apperciate a white board in their class. A white board will help with classroom activities and would help with enhancing the children learning.
- Shawnesty Mays Here is a link to my blog: https://teachthekidstheyareourfuture.wordpress.com
DeleteHello Andrea,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog this week. I really admire that you guys have a smart board in the classroom. It looks like it will be very beneficial to you and the children in the classroom.I work at a Head Start center in Birmingham, Alabama and the pre-k classrooms in the school systems have smart boards, but we don't which is very frustrating hopefully we will get one soon. I know that having a smart board will engage children more to listen and actively participate in different learning activities that is implemented by the teacher. I agree with you when you say that you are going to do more hands-on science activities. I lack in this subject,but finding all kinds of projects to do with the children daily.
Great blog this week you included a lot of wonderful information and resources.
Vonecia West
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog post. I think it is amazing that your center has a smart that is a great way to get children interactive with their learning. I have one in my Kindergarten classroom and my kids love it. Your information on SIDS was very useful. When I worked in a daycare we were not allowed to work in the classroom until we were properly trained on how to reduce the likelihood of SIDS. One of the major things I remember being told is that we were not allowed to put a child on their stomach unless they could roll over on their own. Even then we had to get consent from the parents to lay them on their stomachs.