So, the child care center where I work is preparing for our re-rating through Parent Aware. For those of you who don't know, Parent Aware is a program that works with child care centers and providers to use research based ideas to help children in child care settings be more ready for kindergarten.
Now, I will be one of the first to stand up and say that I feel that our schools, teachers, and children are being pushed into accomplishing unrealistic goals. Kindergartners are not developmentally ready for first or second grade work. Five and six year old children should never be expected to be able to accomplish the things that eight and nine year olds can and should do. But there are things that can be done with children before they ever set foot in a classroom that can help them be set up for success once they get to kindergarten. Even as an infant teacher, there are things that I need to do to be able to help my little learners get the best start possible.
Teach children that learning is fun, or at least interesting. Creating an environment that promotes exploration and discovery on the child's terms allows a child to see that they have the ability to choose for themselves what interests them. They can make things happen. They can become immersed in stacking cups or rings, climbing into or out of a bucket, standing up and falling back down as they try out their legs. They can make the baby in the mirror smile and wave an arm or kick a leg. And all of this shows children that learning in a common, natural thing for them to do.
Make learning possible. If a child is consistently in front of a screen, or tucked into an infant seat/swing, they are not going to learn about movement opportunities. They won't learn the wonder of being outside, and feeling the grass or the sand or how it feels to swing. You have to make learning possible for children by giving them a place that encourages interaction with the environment. Take them outside and let them see the trees and insects, let them play with the sand and grass (and yes, if you have infants, they will probably try to eat both. It's usually not a big deal.)
Give them opportunities to try out new things that they haven't done before. I have a couple baby friends who are around the 9 month mark. They just started participating in our art experiences that involve paint brushes and crayons. And they love it! They get the biggest smiles as they swing their arms back and forth and color or paint their paper (or their teachers or the floor!) Just remember that everything washes, even the children.
Also, these children are beginning to pull themselves to stand, and get themselves around the room under their own power. These moments are huge for an infant. For the first times in their lives, these children are able to make a decision about what they want and get themselves to their goal. Create a space that allows movement, and encourage the opportunity. Trust me, I know how fun it is to snuggle that squishy baby, but let them do their own thing. They will thank you for it. Promise.
Lastly, for here at least, TALK TO THEM! Let them know the correct words for what they are doing, the things they are learning, what they are feeling, where they are going, reading to them. Children learn language by listening to you talk. Make sure they hear you, and that you are talking and reading about a variety of topics. Teach them how to have conversations so they can express themselves, and listen to another person.
There are a million and five things that you can give to a child, but the most important is your support of their exploration. Teach them that they are capable learners, encourage them to try- even if they can't quite get it right the first time, and you will help your child become ready for the things that life is going to throw at them.
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