Next Steps: Ideas to Extend Practice

Participants working independently or with other staff can build on the skills developed through this guide by completing activities such as the following ones. Some of the activities can contribute to the participants' professional portfolios.

Write a Plan for a Routine

Write a plan describing what staff and children do to carry out a routine at the center or during a group socialization session. Writing plans for these parts of the day helps ensure that practices are tied to child development. If possible, take photographs to illustrate the different steps in the routine. Discuss and evaluate the written plans with colleagues and decide whether changes are needed. If so, revise the plans and implement accordingly.

Possible Portfolio Entry: The written plan, with photographs, if possible

Evaluate the Schedule

Review observations made of the children in the group to gain a clear picture of their current skills and abilities. Next, evaluate whether the current schedule is effective in supporting children's growth and development by allowing them to use and build on their skills. If necessary, revise the schedule to reflect children's current needs, interests, and skills. For example; at the beginning of the year, a preschool group might begin the day with a five-minute group times This period could be extended to ten minutes as the children mature, get used to the program, and can pay more attention and participate in large group activities such as singing or learning a finger play.

Possible Portfolio Entry: Different versions of the schedule, highlighting changes made in response to children's growth and development

Discuss Schedules, Routines, and Transitions with Parents

During a home visit or conference, discuss with parents how their family's schedules, routines, and transitions support children's development. For example, if children get hungry before mealtimes, can they have healthy snacks? Also, discuss strategies for balancing the needs of all family members. For example, each child might take a turn staying up late (for thirty to forty-five minutes) once a week to spend time with a parent who returns from work after the child's normal bedtime. In addition, encourage parents to involve children in routines by pointing out the benefits to each child and to the family as a whole.

Possible Portfolio Entry: Handout with suggestions for involving children in routines and transitions at home, and examples of what children learn through their participation

Activity 3-4 | Module 3 | Index