Hello ECE students and other interested people.
Well this assignment has been an interesting one.
I am involved with an organization in the UK called Montessori Education for Autism headed up by Wendy Fidler. In 2011 I got to spend about 24 hours with her and work with her for the day. She also took me to Whitstable for dinner and some sea side sight seeing. (say that three times fast)! It has been my thoughts that Montessori Methods would be a good fit for children with special needs. I come from a neurological, physical and cognitive perspective. Montessori was very concerned with plans of development and I work from that framework as well. Working with students with special needs and autism and the Montessori Method and to be certified in this specialty. I am researching what degrees or certifications I will need is also one thing I am pursuing.
Here is the link to MEfA's site. http://www.montessorieducationforautism.com
Another newsletter or rather a blog I have found very informative and useful is Elevating Child Care by Janet Landsbury. Her focus is on positive parenting and parent education. It is a valuable resource for ECE teachers as well as families.
This is the URL for her site http://www.janetlansbury.com/
Because I am more concerned by the children with developmental needs and social /emotional behavior needs entering into the ECE classrooms I feel that my calling on the diversity issue is to be aware and develop strategies to help support these students, their families and my fellow educators. I am aware that this is a diversity that crosses cultural, language and economic lines and is something that teachers are not yet being prepared to understand and deal with in the classroom setting. As more children are mainstreamed and are entering into ECE classrooms either in public school or private schools it is important to be aware of how these things are addressed in many ways.
The third site I have liked is the National Institute for Early Education Research. This site has many pages to visit from English Language Learners to Special Needs. I haven't explored it all yet but I certainly plan on spending more time there.
Here is the URL for this one http://www.nieer.org
Moving forward on diversity I will be looking at the kinds of tools others share to help students and educators alike cope with the issues and the behavior that this diverse population has but most importantly the strengths these students have to build upon to help them succeed and grow into adults that contribute positively in society.
Hope you will join me in the adventure
Namaste ~
this is a blog created for my MS in Early Childhood Studies at Walden University
Autism is a big area to focus on. In all of my years, I have never had a diagnosed or un-diagnosed child in my class. I am least prepared to handle that difference.
ReplyDeleteI am still interested in the Montessori programs. You always have such complete discussions full of value on it, but I need to take the time to truly read about it. I am thinking right now that due to our state mandates, it may be difficult to use it in either Headstart or Kindergarten, but there MUST be great methods to sneak in!!!!
A good place to start Julz is to read the Secret Of Childhood by Montessori. then might I suggest a visit for observation at an authentic Montessori school. There are two thoughts in the Montessori school. AMI and AMS either one is good just make sure they are affiliated with the "mother ship" Anyone can put Montessori in their name and not be truly Montessori for other activities let me know what you are looking for and I can help you.
ReplyDeleteI want to be clear I would not accept a child with autism or behavioral problems into a class unless I had staff properly trained to deal with it. To ask a teacher not trained to deal with the child's needs would be a big disservice to all concerned.
Thanks for dropping by