Learning and Teaching with Preschoolers Blog

A Healthy Positive Classroom Environment

6/20/2017

WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS

.The quality of a child’s future depends on the quality of caregiving in the first five years.

Research shows that 3 and 4 year olds who attend a high quality preschool are more successful in Kindergarten and beyond.

Research also shows that most preschool programs are not of high quality.

In the United States, 76% of children ages three and four receive education and care from someone other than a parent.

So it is our job to ensure that our classrooms are healthy and of high quality.

WHAT DOES A POSITIVE
CLASSROOM LOOK LIKE

A positive heathy classroom has six important characteristics to it.

Safe
Teachers and Children Respect one another
Teachers and Children Care for each other
Teachers and Children are Engaged in the learning process
Parents, Children and Teachers have a scene of Community
The Environment is filled with Joy
Teachers encourage learning through Intentional Play

SAFE

A classroom can look safe but we are talking more then just the surroundings.

We are talking about how the children and teachers feel.

Are they comfortable and have the feeling of being safe.
              -    Not Afraid
              -    They are not bullied or rejected by those around them

Their needs are being meet.
              -     attention
              -     approval
              -     affection

RESPECT

The preschool community should have a group of children and teachers that mutually respect one another.

Young children need to feel:

Listened to
Acknowledged
Their ideas need to be valued
Children need to be responded to

CARE

In a positive classroom community teachers and children care…

about each other
what happens
by showing empathy
for their belongings
and the classroom environment

ENGAGEMENT

Research shows a significant correlation between high levels of engagement and improved
attendance and achievement as measured through direct observations and interviews with and questionnaires to children and teachers (Finn & Rock 1997; Marks 2000;
Roderick & Engle 2001; Willingham, Pollack, & Lewis 2002).

Characteristics of Engaging Experiences
     • activate prior knowledge
     • foster active investigation
     • promote group interaction
     • encourage collaboration
     • allow for choice
     • include games and humor
     • support mastery
     • nurture independent thinking
     • do not make children wait

COMMUNITY

School community is the foundation for success. It helps children feel connected and part of something.
Community is where children, teachers and parents are all proud of being part of the classroom group.

It focuses on cooperation rather than competition.
It teaches children to value others ideas and perspectives.
It teaches them to share materials and workspace.
They learn to communicate with others and express their ideas.
Makes them feel genuinely connected to each other, to the teachers and environment.

JOY

In a positive classroom the room is filled with…

Smiles
Laughter
Silliness

and all around joy for being part of the group.

INTENTIONAL PLAY

Children learn through intentional play opportunities.
When we are thinking about intentional play we are thinking about…

Designing activities that reflect the child’s or children’s developmental stage.
Activities are designed to encourage children to think deeper.
To explore new concepts.
To investigate what if.
To solve problems that have been asked.
Engage in observations and inquiry process.

UNHEALTHY

These classrooms make you think.

Am I up for this
Can I do this for 4 or even 8 hours straight
Did I waste my time with all of this education
Where are the hard hats

SIDE BY SIDE

Healthy

Safe
Respectful
Caring
Engaging
Community
Joy

Unhealthy

Cluttered
Bad Smell
Chaotic
Loud
Lots of Waiting
Frightened

CLOSE YOUR EYES

Now think of your classroom…
- What do different parts of you day sound like and look like?

- What do you see? (are there times in your day that my appear to be unhealthy?)

What do you feel needs to be change?

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Organizing Classroom Center Labels

6/12/2017

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Do you have a hard time keeping your classroom labeled?

I know that I struggle to keep my whole classroom labeled at the same time. When I start looking around I always find a label missing or one that is in need of repair.

We all know what a tremendous difference it makes to have our classrooms labeled when it comes to encouraging our little ones to put all the materials away.

But…

It's one of those things that gets away from us or a chore that is always on your list. Label, label, label sometimes it feels that all I do during my prep time.

So here is what I did to help me keep everything labeled with little or no frustration.

I went to Michaels when I had a 60% off coupon and I purchased a photo storage box. You can find these at Michaels or Joanns, but make sure they are on sale or you have a coupon because they are pricy.

Then I labeled all the boxes with the learning center.

Time to sort my pile of classroom labels into their designated box.

One more thing to keep me organized and ready to label at a drop of a hat.

I put everything I need in a desktop organizing caddy.

Scissors
Tape
Pipe Cleaners
Hole Punch
4X6 Photo Protector sleeves
Command picture hanging strips or Velcro

When I need to label something in my classroom all I need to put in my label caddy is the box of center labels. Hi Ho Hi Ho off to label I go.

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5 Things to help you De-Stress this Summer

6/5/2017

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During the school year life can get a little stressful. Over the course of the year our daily challenges lead to a certain degree of stress and tension. Here are 5 simple ways to help you destress and recharge your batteries this summer.

1. Spend time with Family- Family life somethings get shuffled to the side during the school year. Spending time with family will help you get back what you might have lost out on over the course of the school year. Time with family and friends will give you some of that much-needed fun time.

2. Get a Massage- Take time for yourself by getting a massage. A good massage can help you relax but it can also reduce anxiety, headaches and most of all boost your mood.

3. Laugh with a Friend- Laughter really is the best medicine. Laughter is proven to lower stress and improve blood flow, which helps you to unwind. Rent a funny movie or you could hang out with one of your wannabe comedian pals, just remember to have a good laugh.

4. Read A Book for Fun- Get lost in a book, books have a way of taking you to new places. Not only that reading helps to reduce stress, lower heart rate, which eases tension.

5. Go on a Nature Walk- Spending long hours in your classroom all yearlong can start to wear on your mental wellness. While your off take the time to breath in some fresh air, take walks in a park or take some day trip hikes to local national parks. The fresh air awakens your body and helps clear the mind.

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A Healthy Positive Classroom Environment

WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS

WHAT DOES A POSITIVE
CLASSROOM LOOK LIKE

SAFE

RESPECT

CARE

ENGAGEMENT

COMMUNITY

JOY

INTENTIONAL PLAY

UNHEALTHY

SIDE BY SIDE

CLOSE YOUR EYES

Organizing Classroom Center Labels

5 Things to help you De-Stress this Summer

Welcome!

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Become a Member

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A Healthy Positive Classroom Environment

WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS​

WHAT DOES A POSITIVECLASSROOM LOOK LIKE

SAFE

RESPECT

CARE

ENGAGEMENT

COMMUNITY

JOY

INTENTIONAL PLAY

UNHEALTHY

SIDE BY SIDE

CLOSE YOUR EYES

Organizing Classroom Center Labels

5 Things to help you De-Stress this Summer

Welcome!

Follow Me

Circle Time Activities

Become a Member

Archives

Connect with Me

WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS

WHAT DOES A POSITIVE
CLASSROOM LOOK LIKE