- Do not train children to learning by force and harshness, but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.
Plato
So as I have been creating this Advocacy Action Plan I was thinking about what types of things matter to other people that are in the field of Early Childhood Education. Obviously social-emotional assessments are something that are very important for me but what I am wondering is if social-emotional assessments are important to you as well? In a Head Start program it is required that we assess the students in this area of development but what about those that do not work in a Head Start program? My previous work has also been in private Early Childhood programs and never crossed my mind but as I entered this part of my career I see how important it is and why might it have changed and how this affects other within this field?
I am not seeking resources because that is something that I am privileged to have at the site I am working with but I could use some insight as to if this topic is important enough to stress people out about. Assessments in general can be stressful but then taking a look at one specific part of development takes time because it is in depth and more complicated. So what I am asking is for insight into your thoughts about implementing an in depth social-emotional assessments in classrooms.
The site that I am working with is called Pillars. They are this totally awesome organization that provides all sorts of programs. It would take me all day to tell you about all the good they do. They are based in the suburbs of Chicago and are just amazing. You should check out their website at www.pillarscommunity.org. The Head Start program that they have is great but they also have mental health consultants on hand because of the counseling programs they provide. So the two programs collaborate to help children and thier families within the community that are dealing with domestic violence, substance abuse, and so on.
Well this class is coming to an end and I am so proud of my peers and myself. This has been a difficult journey but we have done it!
Hi Christina!, thank you for sharing the website I was navigating it and I am definitely going to use it in my classroom. I would like to recommend you a website www.jillrobbins.com this website provides information on how to assess the Culturally Linguistically Diverse Students. Furthermore, regarding my presentation I am excited but, also nerves I am doing my best to make sure everything will be presented in a professional and fun way.
ReplyDeleteSocial Emotional assessments are very important to me. I wasn't aware of how important they were until I worked for Head Start. Since starting with them social-emotinoal skills have become very close to my heart. They have shown me just how important these skills are for children and by having assessments to give you a look into the children through the parents viewpoint has become a key part in my classroom. Best of luck to you!
ReplyDeleteChristina,
ReplyDeleteSocial Emotional assessment are very important to me. It may be easy for someone to assess academics aspects for child care - if a child knows their letters numbers, colors, shapes - but social emotional skills are sometimes difficult for children and even for adults to assess.
I am an in-home child care provider and I routinely assess my children and I always include social emotional assessments into my program.
Your program sounds like a great program to be a part of. Having a good reputation and it is awesome to hear that someone is doing good and going above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of children.
I have enjoyed your blog and I too look forward to completing this course. I have worked very hard on my Advocacy Action Plan and I am proud of what I am going to present to the day care providers/owners, children, families and the community members that I will have present
Good luck in all that you do with children and the families that you provide care for.
Hello Christina,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the acknowledgement of support, same to you! I have to agree with you, this has been a very challenging course. However like you said, CONGRATS! to those of us who are still here completing the course above all difficulties we've encountered in this journey.
I think that social emotional is a huge factor of the child's attitude and behavior towards learning. I too, have had experience working in both private early childhood centers as well as Head Start Programs. I personally have to tell you that my heart is with Organizations like Pillars, the school you are working with. Working in head start showed me to see the whole child, including the family, environment and cultural background of the child. I think that it is wonderful that these organizations provide the resources for the families in need because much of what is affecting the family and the child's home environment will have an affect on the child's emotional development and the attitude they come in with towards learning. In the head start I worked with we did do social emotional screenings on the child. This process involved the family, teacher, child and family service workers. How do you guys assess the child's social emotional development in your school and how are the families needs met?