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What is Classroom Community? |
"We're a preschool family. We play and learn together. We have fun together. We don't always agree with each other, but we treat each other kindly. It takes ALL of us to have a good preschool year."
- Mary Catherine, preschool teacher
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Click above to play video demonstrating community in a preschool classroom. |
The opening quote above is how one preschool teacher tells her students what classroom community is. Everyone is involved, everyone is valued, and everyone deserves kindness. By supporting these words with actions, teachers can create a safe, happy place where children are open to learning.
Are you building skills that help raise kind children and a positive classroom community? Friendship, sharing, respect, truthfulness, caring?
Ways to foster a positive classroom community:
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Acknowledge, discuss, and celebrate differences. Picture books can introduce children to diverse life experiences. "Books can be mirrors in which children see and savor images and representations similar to their own lives and experiences. They can also be windows that enable young readers to gain new cultural perspectives by peering into others' worlds."
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Address issues of aggression - relational and physical. We redirect our students when they hurt others by hitting or throwing toys. What about the pain of words like "I won't be your friend if you don't give me that toy"? We usually associate these hurtful behaviors with bullying in older children. They are also known as relational aggression. Research shows they begin in preschool. It's common among young children, but it doesn't have to be part of your classroom community. Be aware of the issue and model cooperation and positivity.
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Focus on friendship through the science of superheroes! Does your classroom have many Batmans and Spidermans, sometimes leading to arguments? Check out this example of a class that saw this as an opportunity to expand their children's knowledge base. They built a study of superhero origin stories, superpowers, science, and helpfulness into their self-directed curriculum. Every student became a superhero, and they felt empowered to spread kindness in their community.
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My Child in a Classroom Community |
If your child is part of a positive classroom community, they likely enjoy going to school, they feel safe and confident enough to learn freely, and they have good friendships supported by their teacher. They also need to be a good citizen of their community. How can you help your child be a member of a positive classroom community?
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Support their teacher in learning healthy social-emotional development. Love your child and show your affection throughout the day. Encourage your child to try new things. Let them know you are proud of them. | Books about friendship.
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Foster emotional literacy. Acknowledge their feelings and help them identify and talk about what they feel. | Tips for responding to bullying.
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Build their social confidence. Encourage them to play with other children. Teach them how to say hello and ask to play, just as you would teach them to wash their hands or put on their coat. | Playdate etiquette guide.
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Manage their challenging behavior. Young children are still developing their social-emotional skills, and it takes a long time! Your patience and calmness can go a long way toward helping them regain control. | Tips to help children be more caring.
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Recruiting for High School Class of 2032! |
Did your child turn 4 by August 31, 2018?
Apply for Pre-K now! WCSS hosts events at our office every Thursday from 2 - 4pm to walk you through the application process. One application allows your child to be considered for NC Pre-K and Head Start, which are both FREE and prepare children for Kindergarten in a high quality classroom setting.
Click here to print the application and for more information.
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Featured Book: We Don't Eat Our Classmates
Written & Illustrated by: Ryan Higgins
Highlights: When the class pet bites the finger of Penelope, a Tyrannosaurus Rex, she finally understands why she should not eat her classmates, no matter how tasty they are.
Best for: Pre-K, ages 3-5
Wake County Public Library Programming: As part of this Community series, we want to focus on Family Storytime. Follow this link for storytimes appropriate for birth to five across our libraries!
Literacy Tip: Silly stories provide opportunities for conversations about what can take place in our world and what can only take place in stories. Take time, as you read a story, to stop and talk about what's happening.
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Want FREE books for your child under 5? Join the Imagination Library today! |
Each month we celebrate the child care facilities that have recently obtained or retained a five star rating!
Congratulations to:
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Welcome children into your classroom with Friendship Fruit Salad! Celebrate the unique gifts of each child by asking each family to provide one piece of fruit. Prepare, combine, and enjoy together! |
Visit CCSA's training calendar for all upcoming events.
ITS SIDS
September 13, 6:30 - 8:30pm
Wake County Smart Start, Room 204
To register, click here.
Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care
September 15, 9am - 3pm
Bambino's Play School
To register, click here.
Supervision of Young Children
September 17, 6:30 - 7:30pm
Telephone Seminar - Call-In Number
To register, click here.
What Does a Pyramid Have to Do with Challenging Behavior?
September 17, 6:30 - 8:30pm
Heather Park CDC, School Age Building
To register, click here.
Creating Activity Plans & Overview of NC Foundations
September 20, 6:30 - 9pm
Wake County Smart Start, Room 204
To register, click here.
ITS SIDS
September 20, 6:30 - 8:30pm
Wake County Human Services
To register, click here.
Introduction to NC Foundations
September 22, 9am - 3pm
Wake County Smart Start, Room 204
To register, click here.
Getting Started Improving Quality with the ITERS-R
October 1, 6:30 - 8:30pm
Learning Tots Academy - Apex
To register, click here.
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Did somebody say hula?! Hula hoops always seem to excite children with their possibilities. Try out this Hula Hop game with any age, setting up a few hoops to jump in and out of. Check out the other ideas listed to involve younger children as well! |
Did you know WCSS is a nonprofit and relies on support from members of our community like you? Visit our website today to see how you can make a difference for each child, in every community in Wake County. |
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