Creating Affirming Environments

Imagine that you want to open your own Family Child Care Home. Reflect on what your setting would look like, what elements you think you might want to include and for what reasons, and the various ways that you will strive to ensure that every child and family feels welcome and respected.

In my Family Child Care Home, the setting would be inviting and welcoming. The toys, materials, equipment, posters, pictures, books, art materials, curriculum and furniture and the arrangement of the room will be chosen with care. All of these things can influence what and how children learn. I will carefully select these things to make sure they are age appropriate and anti-bias. “An environment rich in anti-bias materials invites exploration and discovery and supports children’s play and conversations in both emergent and planned activities” (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2012, p. 43). My classroom will have a unique look catered to every family’s culture.

To ensure that families feel welcome the environment will reflect their cultures. Children need “materials that honor diversity both within and beyond their own identity groups. This includes learning materials that accurately and nonstereotypically reflect all the children, families, and staff “(Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2012, p. 43). with in the program in their daily lives. I want to make sure families whose culture differs from the majority are just as visible within the classroom.

Brandie

References

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2012). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children.