Creating Affirming Environments

"The toys, materials, and equipment you put out for children;the posters, pictures, and art objects you hang on the wall; and the types of furniture and how you arrange them all influence what children learn. In addition to seeing themselves in their learning environment, children also need materials that honor diversity both within and beyond their own identity groups (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010).

If I were to open my own family child care home, it would be a loving, caring, and happy environment. The transition would be the first room where the children can take time to say goodbye to their parents. In the learning video,Welcome to an Anti-Bias Learning Community, (Laureate, Education 2012). the transition room is a great place for children to gather themselves emotionally before they go into the center. In the transition room,on the walls it will have pictures of colorful butterflies and flowers. On the tables, picutres of the families and children will be displaced throughout the room. Also, their will be a variety of age appropriate books to read,such as, big books for young children. In addition, there will be crayons and paper, too. Finally, in the transition room parents' information wall which will include weekly menus, monthly news letter, calendar, and sign in and out sheets.

The Learning room is where the learning will start with the walls decorated with rainbow colors all around the room. A big sign with the word Welcome hanging on the wall. Music is playing soflty in the background. In the circle area where the children will sit a rug with letters of the alphabets displayed in English and another language is a great way to help children learn letters of the alphabets in another language. The room will be divided into different areas such as, science, house, sand/table,writing, reading, blocks, computer, art, and manipulatives. I would have a table where all the children can bring something special they would like to display about their families.

The sleeping room is where I would have decorated with stars and moons on the walls and from the ceiling. Hopefully, the children will feel at home and comfortable to sleep while listening to soft music playing. Also, I will use night lights, too.

Parents are you ready for me to love and care for your children? You have found the right place!

References:

Derman-Sparks, L. & J.O.(2010), Anti-Bias Education, for Young Children and Ourselves, Washington, DC: National Association for the Education for Young Children (NAEYC)

Laureate, Education (2012), Welcome to an Anti-Bias Learning Community (2012),