Terra - My mum says I am...

The teachers talked to the parents about a word they would use to describe their child and these were the words that were shared. On the display there is a large photograph of each child below the word. These are the words that these parents use to describe their child and the aspirations they hold for them.

This is a great opportunity to include these aspirations and visualisations in the documentation to 'speak into that space'. 

It is powerful to affirm these aspirations and parent observations by paying attention to them with the child for planning, observations and assessment.

There are lots of opportunities to notice, recognise and respond to what we observe with children and use that information to innovate and be creative with our teaching

Bringing these aspirations from parents, their voice being heard to inform the teaching and included in the documentation

 I thought this was a great way to make visible the image of the child each parent holds for their child and include this in planning and assessment - making these things visible alongside all the other valued learning outcomes.

Terra - Have you ever taken a closer look?

In the gymnasium where the children are able to play freely for gross motor play, there is a display for the parents. The display is made up of close up images of the babies physical features and the parents are asked to see if they know which photographs are of their child. Carol shared stories of parents closely observing the physical features of their children to pick the photos. Initial observations indicate the parents are very good at recognising the ears of their children...might have something to do with feeding time and when we are gazing down at the infant - it is an ear we see.

The teachers wanted to invite the parents to explore attachment further and engage with this in a practical way. Read below for the supporting information.

Linking to theory - practice based in evidence - I love it!! 

Add some emotion and who knows what can happen - controversy indeed. Did you know about these studies?

Below is the internet article about the claims for the parents to read

Further information about why attachment and bonding matters - this provides additional explanation about the way the programme is designed to compliment the secure attachment rather then disrupt the connection with the parent.