I work in a group daycare home where the owner implements a preschool curriculum. The ratios are one teacher for every four children and I find this arrangement beneficial to the staff, parents, and children. While observing Michelle, the owner, I noticed that she over extends herself often. I am not sure if it is because she has a hard time asking for help or if she does not trust others with her business. I believe it is a little bit of both. Michelle is responsible for her staff of three teachers and a part time assistant (a high school student who is available after school). She handles payroll, cleaning, and curriculum planning. Michelle also maintains various records such as child information, receipts for expenses, and documentation that is needed for Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS). There has been scheduling issues recently because Michelle has a difficult time communicating effectively with her staff. I do believe its due to the numerous changes in staff she has endured recently along with not being able to let go of some responsibilities.
Needless to say, it was quite difficult to talk to her about additional advocacy plans that she has initiated in the past or her plans for the future. Michelle did advise me that she attends regulation meetings quarterly that is held by the Department of Child and Family Services. She represents all of the group daycare homes in her county. Michelle provides valuable information about what changes needed to be made in group daycare homes in regard to the safety, concern and health concerns of children in her care. I am writing my paper on how to integrate arts and music into core content areas. One big issue that I observed is the time involved. Michelle simply does not have the time to plan lessons and communicate with her staff on how to implement her curriculum effectively.
The second topic that I am interested in is how the arts help children's brain development. Michelle has been in early childhood for over 22 years and just recently scientific research has been conducted to see the validity of teaching for the sole purpose of enhancing brain activity. Michelle was honest in the fact that she was not familiar with any studies and the strategies of teaching for brain development. Last but not least, my third topic question entails parent participation in the arts and how it can influence a child's success. Michelle is a strong advocate of communicating with parents about the progress of their children. As stated in my previous post, she provides daily sheets informing the parents of the food they ate, the activities they participated in and the mood that they were in that day. Also, a section for additional notes is included for supplies that may be needed or for circumstances that were beyond the children's norm. I learned that Michelle is committed to the children and families that she serves but I want to be able to earn her trust in order to help her with her day to day operations. She is very creative and talented to see the individual learning styles of the children and it would be beneficial for her to get back to curriculum planning in order to enhance her daycare environment.
Corey, The ratios of the center you observed and the director you interviewed sounds like Early Head Start. We do not have any late stay for our children after 2:30. As a director you can over extend your self often each week. Directors come in early and stay late to complete paper work. I personally do not understand when she has time to facilitate learning for her classroom and plan a curriculum with all the job titles she has. This director might need to hire someone to cook and clean the building.
ReplyDeleteThis pass year I did my field experience in a first grade classroom. This first grade teacher did music during the day by clapping out letters in spelling words or having a musical beat during calendar time. During the day students were ask to listen to a story the teacher would read. Then write three or four sentences abut the story turn the paper over and draw a picture about the story. These students did have art and music with another teacher during the week. Art and music was an everyday activity. These students had a busy activity day and they were motivated to learn. What ideas do you have for integrating art and music in a classroom?
Hi Gail,
DeleteI also think that she needs to hire someone to cook and clean! I feel that she tries to do everything herself and she does have a difficult time delegating some of the responsibilities. The director does associate phonics and literacy with music and art, but she also incorporates socialization and emotional learning with art. When a child is having a particularly difficult day she allows the child to utilize their sensory skills to release some of their stress. Whether it is with play-doh or giving them finger paints, it allows the children a forum in which to express themselves.
First of all, I really liked your idea of the students listening to a story and the children writing in a few sentences the summary and then drawing a picture on the back of the sheet depicting the main points. In response to your question, I believe that the curriculum should be child directed. If the students are interested in the subject then they are more apt to expand on their subject. I would try to integrate art by having numerous materials available at all times to insure that the children's creativity is being explored. Also, I believe that music should always be part of the environment. Whether it is background music, sing-alongs, or made up songs, it is important to nurture the children's ideas. I am researching new ways to learn how to integrate the arts and music and the lesson plans are endless.
ReplyDeleteDoes Michelle have a music/art program for the students at her day care center? What are her feelings in regards to making this part of the curriculum as it seems she is so overwhelmed she doesn't have it part of the curriculum. Good to see that there is a lot out there, research wise, in regards to implementing music/art in the lesson plans. Is there a lot of information out there in regards to the importance of the 'Arts' embedded within the curriculum?
ReplyDeleteShe does not have a program per say, but she does have a 1/2 hour daily (if time allows) to have the children participate in an art project. Lately, this time has been compromised due to a limitation in staff and taking care of three infants on their schedule! I am starting to research the benefits as well as the actual lesson plans. Art and music is a wonderful way to integrate intervention strategies for children with IEP's. Also, the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development of children are all enhanced by art and music. There are very few subjects that can encourage growth in all facets of development like art and music can. I found this fact alone truly amazing.
DeleteI love the idea that Michelle is so focused on the families of the children she has and communication. Michelle will also need to make sure that she backs off and lets others help her sometimes. I agree with you that music and art should be part of the curriculum in everyday but more of it. Music and art make a huge difference in the lives of children. I am sure the more you work with her she will begin to trust you and work on the curriculum a little more. Good luck with working with her.
ReplyDeleteHello Corey,
ReplyDeleteIt seems as though you did receive some valuable information from Michelle;but your heart is extending to her because of how much she does. I think that is perhaps, she would like to maintain what she has going on; and if she allows someone else to do what she is doing, it may not be fulfilled to her liking.
I really think that she can use the help to slow herself down, and create a smoother transaction of communication between her and her staff. And who knows, they maybe able to help her more than she realize. And if she does welcome the help needed, she can focus more on the curriculum for her children, and and create wonderful activities from her creative thoughts, and implement them with her children. Also, she has a good ratio to make sure the children are being attended too, as they all should be.
I hope you will be able to earn her trust, and help her. She has to one day realize, "More heads are better than one".