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Each one of us is a unique and special individual. We all possess qualities and characteristics that make us unlike anyone else. We all have strengths, needs, talents and personalities. We each travel a path that is our own. How we get to the beginning of the path, the method of travel and the final destination varies from person to person. We are born with certain inclinations and traits. We are also influenced by many different factors as we grow and develop including our culture, genetics, heredity, exposure to different experiences and opportunities, birth order, etc.
A challenging aspect of being a teacher (and a parent) is how we hone our ability to value each child as a true individual. For some (because of their own personalities) it comes quite naturally. For others, it can require one to be more thoughtful and deliberate in their interactions and language. What one person might see as a strength or value, another might see as a challenge or obstacle. It's very easy to say "I treat children as individuals," but to actually put that statement into action means that you have to be non-judgmental and accepting of whoever and whatever is presented to you. You have to keep your personal response or reaction neutral. You have to limit the comparisons that you make, remembering all children develop and grow at their own individual pace. It's also imperative to remember that not all children (or adults) think, do or behave the same way. Just as a mother's pregnancy and birth will be different than anyone else's, so will the child that they deliver. And that child's personality, how they learn and how they grow will follow their own unique path. Adults need to embrace that, enjoy it, and value it. The world would be a very boring and predictable place if we were all the same.
It's because we are different that each of us is special...
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Curriculum in the Classroom
Infant Three - Community Helpers
At UCDC, our philosophy is based on the concept that play is a child's work and the way children best learn. This includes learning about people in the neighborhood or the community at large.
One of our favorite toys are our "Community Helper" dolls. The set includes dolls that represent people you might see in everyday life-a chef, a police officer, a fire fighter, a doctor, a mail carrier-and we enjoy talking about each of them and what they do. We will discuss, for example, that one of the figures is the doctor, that the doctor helps keep us healthy, that she is wearing a stethoscope that helps her listen to our hearts, etc.
Presenting children with images of people they interact with regularly helps children to gradually gain understanding of the roles these people play in our lives. Books are also a wonderful way to learn about the roles people play in our lives and are a great way to introduce children to people in the community. Teachers, librarians, sanitation workers, nurses... there are books to learn about them all!
Our walks in the neighborhood have introduced us to so many people who work to make our community better. Just this summer alone, we have met house painters, dog walkers, Misty the mail carrier, many landscapers including Bill and Chaz who are often working on keeping the Chancellor's house and grounds looking lovely (we appreciate smelling those flowers!). Here at school we see James, who helps keep UCDC clean and running, and Steve who delivers our all-important lunch (and loves to give high-fives)!
Helping children to learn about the people they see each day is a wonderful way to help them grow their understanding of their community and how everyone has a special role in making it a happy place to be.
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Good Eats:
Unstuffed Cabbage Roll
This recipe was submitted by Tyris Chapman, one of our wonderful infant classroom teachers. It looks quick and delicious - two important components for a great weeknight meal!
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ground beef (or ground meat of choice)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 small head cabbage, chopped
- 2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
Directions:
Heat a Dutch oven or large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef and onion in the hot Dutch oven until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes, making sure it is cooked thoroughly; drain and discard grease. Add cabbage, tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, garlic, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Cover Dutch oven, reduce heat, and simmer until cabbage is tender, about 30 minutes.
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Breastfeeding on Campus
It is clear that UCDC supports breastfeeding mothers by offering private spaces in the building, supporting on-demand feeding schedules for infants, and welcoming parents to nurse their children anywhere in our building.
Fortunately, the larger University also supports breastfeeding by providing Lactation Rooms on campus. Click here for a list of spaces around campus.
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UCDC Philosophy Explained
If you ever had a chance to observe a meal time in a toddler classroom, I can guarantee that you'll be amazed. It is unbelievable to see the capabilities of young children when given the chance. At UCDC, the children prepare for the meal by washing their hands independently at a child-sized sink and then they find their space at one of the tables. As the children all find their seats, you'll notice the youngsters passing bowls and scooping their own food onto their plates. As milk is passed, children pour their own beverage and then pass it along to a friend. Spills are very common and as expected as breathing. When it happens, the toddlers work with the teacher to clean up the space and then they continue along eating. When their bodies tell them they are full, the toddlers pick up their plates and cups and throw them away independently.
This independence happens because children are given the time and the opportunity to develop these skills. Even in the infant classroom, children are working on these skills during shared meals. When given time and practice, it's amazing to see what children are capable of.
In our Teacher Handbook, our philosophical beliefs discuss the importance of developing these self-help skills, which is very important to our core philosophy. Consider this excerpt from the handbook:
The curriculum encourages self-help skill development throughout the day. Adults are always close by and often gentle guidance or assistance is present, but the emphasis is placed on how a child helps his or herself. Pouring milk at lunch, zipping and snapping pants, and coping with a confrontation with a peer are examples of ways a young child finds his or herself becoming more independent. The awareness of becoming independent contributes toward the establishment of an identity for each child, enabling him or her to take pride in what is accomplished.
We also believe strongly in our family friendly environment and therefore encourage children to be independent as they are able based on who they are. Our handbook states, "
Much like a healthy family, where each member has an individualized impact or effect on that whole family, the child begins to internalize his role in the extended family-early childhood program. The curriculum extends itself to encourage independence among the family members with respect to the individual readiness of those members."
I encourage you to look at your child in another light and think about what they are capable of. Give them the time and space to learn a new skill (putting on their coat, scooping their own food at mealtimes, squeezing the toothpaste on their own toothbrush) and then let them practice. They are amazingly capable little ones that can soar if given the wings.
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Preschool Wisdoms
Family time is so important - it helps us to bond, create memories and understand each other better. Read on to learn what the children in Preschool Three like to do best with their families.
- Eat cookies and watch TV. - Amanda
- I love going out to play at the playground. - Lincoln
- I play dinosaur and Paw Patrol with Otto. - Oskar
- Play on the Swiffer - It's a swing! - Perrin
- Go to see Grandma. - Ania
- Play basketball with Mommy and Daddy. - Jamie
- Play with Joey, Paw Patrol. - Simon
- I like to play with my dog and my brother and my mom and my dad. We play, sit and look at the wall. - Divya
- I was going to the pool 'cause it's getting open. I go on the big slide 'cause I'm a big boy. - Garrett
- Go on a trip with them. - Sophia
- I play Frozen with Zoey and something else. - Luca
- Play with my toys (my tiger). - Juan
- I like to play cars and have special time together. - Naomi
- Shopping and McDonald's. - Ogust
- Dress up like a princess. - Tia
- Play babies. - Hattie
- My favorite thing is to go camping. - Adelaide
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Our Philosophy
UCDC utilizes a child centered, extended family approach that is fostered by supporting the developmental needs of all children. We foster children's self esteem, creative abilities, sense of belonging and success by implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum based on NAEYC and Keystone STARS standards, through a play-based approach to learning. We support families and partner with them to provide an environment that welcomes their collaboration and supports both cultural and family preferences.
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