Big Ideas

This section focuses on the connections between building relationships with children and developmentally appropriate practice and ideas for forming those relationships. By building positive individualized relationships with children, we learn what is individually appropriate for each child, including each child’s specific interests, abilities, and developmental progress.

Try It

1. If you are a trainer, child care / preschool director, or resource specialist, you may use this section of the module or pieces of this section to enhance your trainings of early childhood educators / providers in the area of building positive relationships with children.
2. If you are a parent or family member, you can review the module to learn more about collaborating with your child’s educator and how relationships support child development.
3. If you are an early childhood educator, you can go through the practice opportunities built into this section to test your knowledge –
   1. Reflection opportunities –
      1. take a moment to think through the questions about cultural considerations when planning learning.
      2. Take a moment to think through the questions for Bronfenbrenner’s model – how are you influenced by your environment?
      3. Take a moment to think through the questions about the effects of children’s environment and culture on their development
      4. Take a moment to think through the questions about collaborating with children’s families.
   2. Sam's scenario – take a moment to reflect on the scenario with the provided questions and think about what you would do in this situation.
4. If you are a child care provider, you can earn core knowledge hours by reviewing the sections of the module and take the quiz after each section.