resources

Teaching children about consent that is not R rated. The video has an amusing take on educating children when to say yes and no. The video includes demonstrations on reactions to refusal. 

As some schools require teaching sex education in kindergarten, this video can be a helping necessity to fellow educators. 

It may help those who are not as comfortable with the subject matter and may be able to give children a more thorough understanding through the multiple demonstrations provided. 

I would include this in my classroom if my school mandated the instruction of sex education in kindergarten. I believe it is a fun way to help discuss such a sensitive matter. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=J34GXQXZFnY

The Reggio Emilia approach focuses on the child. It is an educational philosophy that is constructed through the image of the child. The approach views the student's environment as the "third" teacher and allows the child to take part in constructing their own learning. The method seeks and promotes parental involvement. The approach strives to promote passion, purpose and independence in their learning. 

The description above is the reason why I will implement the Reggio Emilia approach in my classroom. I plan on modelling the approach to my students as I believe the benefits are far too extensive to pass up in a classroom. 

Attached you will find an article that discusses in depth the approach. A well worth read in helping to foster a well-rounded classroom. 

McNally, S. A., & Slutsky, R. (2016). Key elements of the Reggio Emilia Approach and how they are interconnected to create the highly regarded system of early childhood education. Early Child Development and Care, 187(12), 1925–1937. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2016.1197920 

Social stories are a tool that are in place to help students who may lack knowledge in social situations. They are in place to help a child develop an understanding in their social development. A social story is a description of a situation with graphics that are presented to children in order to help them understand how they should respond. 

Social stories will be used as a resource in my classroom as they are able to provide comprehension to students who may lack mastery in the area of social development. I will also have some examples up on my walls for easy access for daily situations that can occur, in order to maximize a classroom where everybody feels safe. 

Please find below a workpiece written by Sheryl Smith Gilman where she not only discusses the advantages to social stories yet she also provides an example of her own. Professor Smith Gilman discusses how social stories helped a student of her own. A young boy named Daniel who had significant global developmental delays. 

Smith-Gilman, S. (2009).  Social stories: Pathways to inclusion.  English Quarterly, 39(20), 33-45.

Music helps the mind and body work together. Music is responsible and connected to so many different pieces of life. The exposure of music in the early years of education helps children learn the sounds and meanings of words. Moreover it may help students grow their motor skills as music often consists of the act of moving around.  There are many more benefits that are connected to music and development.  As a future educator, I believe it is well worth diving into and discovering more of what it has to offer and how to include it in the classroom. 

Music was such a major part of my life growing up and I would love nothing more to be able to share that experience with my fellow students. A simple example of one of my implementations will be background music that will differ given the subject matter and mood. 

(The discovery on the importance of music was acquired through a music workshop that was given in Professor's Smith Gilman's course; Kindergarten Pedagody by a special guest.)