Chat Transcripts

Topic

Chat Session 3

Date

2025-12-29

Group ID

0

Course ID

308194

User List

Berndt, DawnYadk, Ala{Johnson, Carrie}
User Timestamp Message
{Johnson, Carrie}07:01:02 pmGood evening!
Berndt, Dawn07:01:50 pmGood Evening!
{Johnson, Carrie}07:02:06 pmHow is everyone despite the Blizzard??
Berndt, Dawn07:02:50 pmI had to drive in it yesterday and am glad to be home and not going anywhere today!
{Johnson, Carrie}07:03:20 pmoh no! and also yuck!
Yadk, Ala07:03:40 pmGood evening
Berndt, Dawn07:04:04 pmIt was my granddaughters first birthday so we kind of had to go, go slow we went.
{Johnson, Carrie}07:04:13 pmI too stayed put today
{Johnson, Carrie}07:04:35 pmOh fun Dawn! Happy 1st Birthday to her
{Johnson, Carrie}07:04:45 pmWelcome Ala!
{Johnson, Carrie}07:05:59 pmLet's go ahead and get started
{Johnson, Carrie}07:06:03 pm*
Berndt, Dawn07:06:11 pm*
{Johnson, Carrie}07:06:42 pmWhat is the significance between family engagement and a child’s early learning and development?
Berndt, Dawn07:08:28 pmFamily engagement supports a childs learning and development and studies show better growth and early learners who feel safer and are more confidant.
{Johnson, Carrie}07:09:25 pmSo true Dawn---I am grounded by the belief that Parents are their children's 1st teachers
Yadk, Ala07:09:33 pmIn the early stage, a child’s development depends a lot on the family. The family should learn how to care for the child even before birth.
{Johnson, Carrie}07:09:58 pmof course "parents" can include primary caregivers, guardians etc
{Johnson, Carrie}07:10:24 pmYes--Ala --parent and family education as well as engagement is essential
Berndt, Dawn07:10:57 pmIt is one of the areas I struggle with. Parents are so over scheduled that their evolvement any any way seems too much for them.
{Johnson, Carrie}07:11:04 pmThere is a wonderful campaign awareness initiative in MN called Little Moments Count---which promotes engagement during the early years
Berndt, Dawn07:11:41 pmI actually had parents thank me for no longer requiring a parent at our once a year holiday party for 1 hour at the end of a day.
Berndt, Dawn07:12:04 pmI am going to look that up!
{Johnson, Carrie}07:12:10 pmThe campaign emphasizes simple things like talk, play, read and sing---seizing the little moments ---even despite busy schedules
{Johnson, Carrie}07:12:26 pmhttps://www.littlemomentscount.org/
{Johnson, Carrie}07:13:39 pmYes --Dawn I think in the hectic overscheduled day ---cutting back extracurricular activities is okay
{Johnson, Carrie}07:14:26 pmthose routines we do and the ones parents/families do are so important however we have to BE PRESENT too
{Johnson, Carrie}07:15:47 pmIt makes me think about biases we all have too-- what do we think about families who overschedule vs. families that do not have their children enrolled in anything?
{Johnson, Carrie}07:15:53 pmHow can implicit or explicit biases impact relationship building with young children and their families?
Berndt, Dawn07:18:31 pmYes I can see that now that I am a grandparent I have certain biases. It just means I need to pay attention to what children from different families need from me. an over scheduled child may need schedule and routine and a non scheduled child may need more hands on activities or movement or music activities.
{Johnson, Carrie}07:19:10 pmRight or vice versa--depending on the child
{Johnson, Carrie}07:19:40 pmperhaps a child who is always scheduled needs some down time and open-ended art or free play
Berndt, Dawn07:20:05 pmright! I do feel like I am way more calm and go with the flow. Sometimes my bias comes at pick up when parents get frustrated.
{Johnson, Carrie}07:20:43 pmwhereas another child who is used to being scheduled quickly becomes dysregulated when that structure goes away...
Berndt, Dawn07:21:38 pmI am always saying to parents let it go, it's not worth the fight. let them take 3 more minutes to do it them selves or let them wear their boots on the wrong feet, they don't care.
{Johnson, Carrie}07:22:25 pmI do think transitions can then be intentional will parents --I recall making different transition plan for child-parent drop off and pickup to minimize meltdowns---sometime child tantrums and other times parent tantrums!
{Johnson, Carrie}07:23:04 pmAla --how about you? what do you think? How can our biases impact relationships with children and their families?
Berndt, Dawn07:23:47 pmI have offered to some parents to text me and I will get the kids ready and then send them out to meet them on my front step.
{Johnson, Carrie}07:24:31 pmThat is thoughtful Dawn ---especially in the winter with the extra gear and bathroom breaks before the car ride home
Berndt, Dawn07:25:28 pmLuckily most of mine all leave in 45 min period so we do a pony break right before that.
{Johnson, Carrie}07:25:33 pmI had one parent in particular who just came to mind ---always loud volume and rushing their child out the door and he was soooo pokey and would start to cry--
{Johnson, Carrie}07:26:16 pmMy bias was against the mom and in defense of him---then I learned that she had a second job to go to and if she was late she risked being fired
Berndt, Dawn07:26:40 pmkids need to do their routine, wether its waving in the morning or saying goodbye to me with a hug. If those routines are not done kids are not ready to continue.
{Johnson, Carrie}07:26:52 pmSo then--we made a plan to get him ready in advance too and have a happier reunion instead of stressful one
{Johnson, Carrie}07:27:05 pmHow do you reflect the culture of the families you serve and the community you are in within your program environments- ie. classrooms, buildings (interior/exterior), outdoor play spaces?
Yadk, Ala07:27:30 pmAs a parent, I remember talking with my children and doing age-appropriate activities with them. I used to talk with them when they were just days old, naming everything their eyes could see. For example, my child, who is not yet five years old, has mastered math and knows two languages, and I treat him like he is seven years old. I fill his time with activities, both inside and outside the house, especially sensory activities, so the child can explore and discover their surroundings.
Berndt, Dawn07:27:44 pmOh yes Carrie, I am always telling my grown children to be grateful every day and be compassionate of people who may make you mad, you never know what they are going through.
{Johnson, Carrie}07:30:46 pmThanks for sharing that Ala--- I think we always need to tailor learning activities to the child's level
{Johnson, Carrie}07:31:45 pmI am always reminded by the definition of developmentally appropriate practice ---which considers more than their age. It also considers the child as an individual and their social and cultural norms too
{Johnson, Carrie}07:33:06 pmI think for home based programs there really is a unique opportunity to think about outdoor learning and learning within the community---in addition to what we have within the home too
Yadk, Ala07:34:38 pmYes, the child is smarter than we think, but we need to know how to meet them at their level to convey information. Each child has a key to know how to interact with them. I have two children, and each one has their own way and style.
{Johnson, Carrie}07:35:21 pmI have little boxes and baskets on my shelves from different countries and cultures. Within each box/basket are different activities, games, books, sensory items etc.
Berndt, Dawn07:35:23 pmOh yes Ala. I agree.
{Johnson, Carrie}07:37:03 pmIt helps with curiosity too since I change what's inside too--plus its language/literacy, math, science and even social studies. So they get to see intelligence and inventions from other cultures including their ownr
{Johnson, Carrie}07:37:07 pmmusic too
Berndt, Dawn07:37:38 pmThat's a great idea Carrie.
{Johnson, Carrie}07:38:03 pmSo true Ala! Implementing curriculum in ways that differentiate learning styles and children's interest is essential
{Johnson, Carrie}07:38:22 pmThanks Dawn!
Yadk, Ala07:38:31 pmYes, outdoor activities are very important. Just examples: visiting an apple farm or a children’s museum can be fun opportunities for play and activities.
{Johnson, Carrie}07:39:27 pmShare what type of technology or communication tool you use to share information, data, or resources with families. How important is it to have a healthy line of communication with parents? Especially parents from culturally and racially diverse backgrounds?
Berndt, Dawn07:40:00 pmI cannot do field trips , my liability insurance and car seats are just more expense than I can take on. I hire in people.
{Johnson, Carrie}07:40:59 pmVery smart Dawn---I am sure it feels extra special to the children and families anyways plus you get a little break!
Berndt, Dawn07:42:23 pmI do not ever have many diverse families where I live. Communication though with parents is very important. I have recently had to make a change I have been avoiding for years. I had to start using an app. I hate it. it takes too much of my time from the kids. I find I am updating the app and not talking or even making eye contact with the child or children!!
{Johnson, Carrie}07:42:48 pmI know centers often buy the brightwheel or tadpole apps but often family child care providers rely more on texts and email communications
{Johnson, Carrie}07:43:17 pmI have heard that a lot Dawn---you are not alone
{Johnson, Carrie}07:44:16 pmAla --do families join you when you go to the apple orchard or museum?
Berndt, Dawn07:44:22 pmMy newer families all want Brightwheel. I have had 2 families tell me they would have gone elsewhere had I not started using it! That's crazy, I have 29 years of experience and am PA 4 star rated>
{Johnson, Carrie}07:44:53 pmoh wow Dawn that is surprising!
{Johnson, Carrie}07:45:00 pmWell let's end here
{Johnson, Carrie}07:45:22 pmif you have questions about the final assignment please ask here or email me 🙂
Yadk, Ala07:45:31 pmI am not currently communicating with families because I am not working right now, but I am preparing myself for the job I will start next month at the daycare.
Berndt, Dawn07:45:41 pmGood night! Are we at the end of chats?
{Johnson, Carrie}07:45:52 pmFantastic Ala
{Johnson, Carrie}07:45:57 pmcongratulation
{Johnson, Carrie}07:46:12 pmWe have 2 chats left
Yadk, Ala07:46:21 pmThank to all:)
{Johnson, Carrie}07:46:21 pm1/5 and 1/12
Berndt, Dawn07:46:32 pmOK, thanks, goodnight.
{Johnson, Carrie}07:46:49 pm2 more discussion boards too
{Johnson, Carrie}07:47:01 pmGood night!
Berndt, Dawn07:47:36 pmThanks!