In this podcast, Andy & Llewella discuss key aspects to remember in September for educators. They talk about being responsive to the needs of students, building authentic relationships, creating a positive classroom climate, setting expectations, and spending quality time with children. These practices help lay the foundations for a successful school year.
Teachers should be responsive to the unique needs of children entering in September and adapt the daily routine to accommodate them.
Building strong relationships with students is crucial in the early years to create a positive classroom climate and support effective communication and interaction.
Deep dives
Being Responsive to the Needs of the Children
It is important for teachers to recognize that children entering their care in September may have individual and complex needs. Some children may be coming straight from home and finding the school environment to be very different and overwhelming. Teachers should take the time to understand the unique needs of each child, especially during the busy first few weeks, and be responsive to their fatigue and nervousness. It is crucial to adapt the daily routine and schedule to accommodate the children's needs.
Building Relationships for Learning
Developing strong relationships with students is essential in the early years. Effective early years teaching is built on warm and close relationships between adults and children. Teachers need to invest time in building these relationships and getting to know both the children and their families. By fostering a positive classroom climate and giving every child a positive identity, children will feel comfortable, safe, and supported in their learning. Building relationships enables effective communication and interaction, which are key components in facilitating learning and meeting the needs of each child.
Putting in the Groundwork
At the start of the school year, it is important to introduce the resources and materials available in the classroom or learning environment. Children need to be shown how to properly use and explore the resources, as well as understand the expectations for tidying up. Teachers should invest time in modeling and supporting children in exploring the materials. Building familiarity and understanding with the resources lays the foundation for independent and meaningful play and learning experiences throughout the year. It is crucial to manage the classroom environment effectively to ensure smooth and purposeful utilization of the resources.
Baseline Assessment and Using the Starting Point
September is the time for baseline assessment, both the statutory assessment for reception and teachers' own assessments. Care should be taken to ensure that the assessment provides useful information about each child's learning needs and abilities. Rather than just ticking off a list, the assessment should focus on gaining a broad and accurate picture of children's development and learning. Teachers should use the baseline assessment as a starting point to plan and tailor the curriculum to meet the individual needs of the children. Understanding the developmental milestones and incremental stages of each child's learning journey is crucial in providing appropriate support and avoiding creating gaps in their progress.
Summer Re-Release Episode - September is a crucial time for your practice, so for this week’s episode, Andy & Llewella explore the key things for you to remember at the start of this school year. Recorded for September 2022
