Interactions

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Interactions
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Workshop Format

• Introduction to the Centre for Early Childhood
  Development Education (CECDE)
• Overview of Síolta
• Workshop Demonstration
• Introduction to group work
• Small group discussion
• Feedback
• Supporting research
• What Síolta can do
• Resources
• Conclusion

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The CECDE

• Established by Department of Education and
  Science in 2002
• To coordinate and develop early childhood
  education services
• Development of Síolta
• Research
• Policy advice to Minister for Education and
  Science and Office of the Minister for Children

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What is Síolta?

• Quality Assurance Scheme
• Children from birth 6 years
• Reflects and recognises Irish practice
• Defining, Supporting and Assessing
• Mediated for ages/settings
• Developmental tool
• Makes a difference in childrens lives

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Defining Quality

• Principles
• Standards
• Components
• Signposts for Reflection
• Think-abouts

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Standard 5 Interactions

• Fostering constructive interactions(child/child,
• child/adult and adult/adult) requires explicit
• policies, procedures and practice that
• emphasise the value of process and are
• based on mutual respect, equal partnership
• and sensitivity.

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Sample Discussion Points

• I offer each child the chance to interact with
  other children of the same age and of different
  ages.
• I support each child to interact positively with
  other children.
• I use informal and formal parts of the daily
  routine to interact with the children.
• When Im with the children, I focus on what we
  are doing not the end results.
• The way I interact helps each child to expand
  her/his use of language through interactions with
  me.
• My interactions with other adults are a model of
  respect, support and partnership for the child.

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Groupwork

• Your group number is at the top of your page
• Instructions
• Feedback sheet (one per group)
• 20/25 minute discussion
• 3 point action plan
• Next Monday morning
• Dare to be different but practical!
• Mediate for different age groups in your setting

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Supporting Research

• Adults need to foster childrens friendships
  between the children they care for as these
  relationships act to enhance the childs
  self-esteem and self-worth.
• (CECDE, 2005)
• The importance of secure early attachment
  relationships to the childs well-being cannot be
  overstated. Furthermore, secure, respectful and
  caring relationships with adults provide a
  crucial context for supporting learning.
• (Fallon, 2005)

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Supporting Research (2)

• The early years of a childs life signal a time
  of unique dependency, during which caregiving
  routines (eating, sleeping and bodily care), in
  stimulating environment, are appreciated as
  opportunities to develop a relationship with the
  child
• (CECDE, 2005)

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Supporting Research (3)

• a balance between child-led and adult-led
  interactions and between an open-framework
  approach (where children have free choice in
  instructive environments) and more focused group
  work with direct instruction is in evidence in
  the most effective settings
• (Sylva et al., 2005)

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What Síolta can do

• Promote quality childcare
• Defines what quality is
• Unifying Framework for all quality initiatives
• Tool for practical activities

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What Síolta can do (2)

• Promote the status of the early years sector
• Raises awareness of the critical importance of
  quality early childhood provision
• Highlights the valuable role of the early years
  practitioner
• Informs the development of education and training
  courses
• Enhances our status internationally

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Síolta Current Resources

• Website
• All materials
• Supporting research documentation
• Resource information (e.g. web links, contact
  details)
• Feedback opportunity

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Síolta Current Resources (2)

• Workshops and presentations
• Research Digests
• Síolta A Guide for Parents
• Audit of Research in ECCE in Ireland database
• Library resources
• Newsletters
• E-mail Early.Childhood_at_spd.dcu.ie

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Go raibh míle maith agaibh

www.siolta.ie
www.cecde.ie