Reflection and Critical Thinking Questions
1. Consider the types of families that are quite different than your own. Differences might include culture (foreign or another part of your own country), socioeconomic status (higher or lower than your own), heterosexual or homosexual pairing, or married or unmarried. Are there any of these that you find difficult to accept or that make you uncomfortable? What should teachers do about their feelings and biases so that all children, as well as their family members, receive a positive attitude and fair treatment?
2. Related to the first question: If any of these groups are special favorites of a teacher, how can he or she ensure equitable treatment for everyone?
3. Refer back to the important qualities teachers need to have to be good collaborators and communicators. Which ones do you think will be easiest to demonstrate? Which will be more difficult? Explain why.
4. Return to either Joseph’s or Kristen’s story. What could teachers or administrators have done to make either experience more positive?
Recommendations for Your Professional Bookshelf
From Parents to Partners by Janis Keyser
and
Parent-Friendly Early Learning by Julie Powers
Both these books contain good ideas for caregivers and teachers. They are full of scenarios with tips, strategies, and discussions that provide solutions for your every concern and question. Although their topics are close to the same and both books are practical and user-friendly, Powers’ book focuses a bit more on listing specific tips and strategies, while Keyser’s book is more conversational. Thus, the reader can choose whichever style is preferable and, either way, find many helpful ideas.
Full citations:
Keyser, J. (2006). From parents to partners. St. Paul, MN: Redleaf Press.
Powers, J. (2005). Parent-friendly early learning. St. Paul, MN: Redleaf Press.
Web Watch
Web Watch
The National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies. The stated intention of the national association is that it “aims to ensure that families in every community have access to high-quality, affordable childcare and to support state childcare resources and the people and programs that care for children.” Although the website is primarily intended for parents, it also offers much good information for caregivers and teachers. Developmental expectations for different ages are provided, as well as everything from recipes to crafts to “free stuff.” http://www.naccrra.org
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This site is about much more than disease control and prevention. As such, it has information that can be useful to caregivers and teachers, as well as to parents who wonder about their children’s development. The CDC states that, “Much of our work focuses on protecting people who are especially vulnerable to health risks—babies, children. . . .” There are links to information about birth defects, child development, expected milestones, developmental disabilities, autism, and ADHD. Often, teachers and caregivers are faced with situations they know little about and this site can be helpful in educating them, thus making interactions with families more productive. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd
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