"Children do not enter the classroom as an empty slate. They bring with them their home language, preferences, and culture. Just as adults might keep mementos of home at their workplace, we encourage the children to bring similar items into the classroom."
"Family pictures, a favorite book, familiar music, special foods from home help reinforce to the children that they belong to their family. It also sends a message that school is their place and that their whole being is honored and respected."
Jenna Bilmes in Beyond Behavior Management
In the classroom we have displayed photos of the children and their families in the Dramatic Play Center. Alex discovered the picture of his family first. He was so delighted to find his family photo in the classroom. He came over to find me, he took my hand to show me what he found.
Alex pulled up a chair, sat down and then pointed to each member of his family. Mom, Dad, Ellen and Alex! As he pointed and to each family member his voice was high- pitched and loud for Alex...as he is soft spoken! Bailey walked over to see what we were doing. I pulled up a chair and asked Bailey to sit down because Alex wanted to show her his family photo. After Alex shared his family photo with Bailey I asked Bailey if she could find her family photo? When she discovered it she smiled from ear to ear, and proceeded to tell Alex and I about her family. She pointed to each family member and told us their name. Both Alex and Bailey sat their for some time pointing and saying the name of each family member in the photo. We also found Grace, Cody, Kayla, and Hannah's family photos. We enjoyed talking about their families too! The entire time we spent talking about and sharing the family photos, felt so comfortable, warm and connecting for the teacher and the children!
When children see us connecting with their families, they become increasingly comfortable with the transitions back and fourth from home and school. School becomes for them almost an extended family.
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