Connecting with Our Children

Guest blogger Carrie Knox and Director of our Primrose School at Stapleton shares her thoughts on the importance of connecting with our children.

Research on early childhood education has shown that high-quality child care experiences support the development of social and academic skills that facilitate children's later success in school. It has also been determined that strong connections between teachers and children are a primary component to these high-quality settings. 

 As both a parent and a Director, I am continually in pursuit of the ‘connector’ -- the special human being that possesses the secret ingredient or the ‘magical make up’ (that natural ability to relate and connect to young children). Within my highly talented staff I have the great pleasure of witnessing this ‘magic’ daily as I watch in wonder the work of our teachers.  Teachers who connect with students innately know what motivates and captivates their students.  Perhaps it is because they recognize that security and confidence are the key components to creating a successful learning environment and that children need to see their teachers as approachable and someone they connect with. This being said, my staff set about making this happen and each day they successfully foster relationships that promote life-long learning by way of making themselves available to the child (at the child’s level), by taking a strong interest in the children’s interests and what makes the child ‘tick’.  My teachers share of themselves so the students know and can relate to their teacher’s likes and interests.  They keep their promises to the children and create predictable and organized environments that communicate feelings of safety, security and confidence.  Finally, they offer choices that help students feel connected, accountable and a productive part of their learning environment.  In offering these choices, children feel that they are listened to and that their teacher is receptive to their ideas and that their ideas and thoughts are valuable. 

 What are your tips for connecting with your children?  How have high-quality relationships between your child and their teacher created a successful learning experience?  Please share your thoughts with us!