To create an informational pamphlet for parents about good parenting based on current brain research and to evaluate your pamphlet.
Scenario:
You are a teacher in a kindergarten class in a school known for having very involved parents. Lately, several parents have asked you about CDs they should purchase (e.g., Baby Einstein), or specific educational toys designed to promote their child’s brain development. The message you want to get across is that developing a stable and nurturing relationship with your child is the number one goal—far more effective than any product you can buy. Rather than having parents put you on the spot about the “right way to teach their child,” you decide to write a pamphlet for parents with ideas for the types of dynamic interactions with the environment they can engage in with their child. You also decide to incorporate a list of appropriate materials for parents to have on hand at home, such as soft toys and beginning books. You also include a Q&A section in which you briefly discuss developmentally appropriate curricula (as opposed to curriculum that is too advanced for young children).
Focus Assignment
1. Create a pamphlet for parents in which you explain how the latest brain research has important implications for raising young children. Provide three activities for healthy brain development that incorporate stimulating activities such as touching, singing, playing simple games, and talking. Incorporate a section describing three stimulating materials for parents to have on hand at home. Last, incorporate a two-item Q&A section to briefly discuss developmentally appropriate curricula for the children in your classroom.
2. Be sure to read the SELF-EVALUATION section below to guide your thinking. Write your self-evaluation after you have completed your pamphlet.
Self-Evaluation
1. For each activity in your pamphlet:
a. Explain how this activity addresses the issues in the scenario.
2. Describe and justify how your pamphlet would improve teaching and learning in the scenario.