CREATING AN AFFIRMING ENVIRONMENT

My church is starting a children’s church next month, the idea of the church is that the center should be run like a family care home and I have been given the responsibility to lead the committee for the planning and running of this center. This is indeed the right assignment at the right time for me as it will give me a golden opportunity to put into practice some of the things I am learning in this course. The first consideration and priority therefore is the environment of the children’s church.

For effectiveness in setting up any early childhood education program the learning environment is very important and should be seriously considered. It should be such that is learning friendly for children by allowing them space, time and appropriate materials to move, interact and use for their learning. It is a known fact that children learn best when all areas of an integrated, carefully planned, curriculum are implemented formally and informally in learning environments that are interactive, practical and enjoyable. Children should have opportunities to experience much of their learning through a well-planned and challenging environment (CCEA, 2003).

The environment will be such that reflect diversity as we have in my church and in our immediate environment. My church has members from more 30 countries and is located at the part of the city populated by foreigners as well as the citizens of the country. Research has shown that prejudice is curtailed and reduced when educational environments foster critical thinking, empathy development and self-esteem in children. 

The following will be considered:

·        *A general environment that is welcoming to all children and families irrespective of where they are from, belief and culture. The core value of anti-bias education is that all children, irrespective of their differences should be valued, respected and flourish.

·        *A welcoming/nap room similar to that of Adriana (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011).

·       * Materials on display and bulletin board will be such that are inclusive of all people.

·       *Furniture, play materials and other classroom equipment will be the type and arranged in such a way that it will aid children’s exploration, curiosity and interactions so as to reflect and promote diversity.

·        *Artwork, books, toys and other learning materials in the center will be such that reflect the cultural and linguistic diversity of children in the church and our community.

According to Derman-Sparks & Edwards (2010), creating and assessing an effective anti-bias learning environment is an ongoing process that is subject to changes, addition and improvement in order to accommodate and reflect each new group of children and families. The above considerations and plans will be subjected to review as such.

References:

CCEA. (2003). The revised Northern Ireland primary curriculum foundation stage. Belfast: Author

Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). Strategies for working with diverse children. Baltimore, MD: Author