Back to School Welcome!

Welcome CDAclass.org students and those looking to begin the CDA process! I can not believe we are already approaching the fall months! At the start of this school year, I am sure many, if not all of you will have an influx of new children and parents entering your program. With this new group of families, it is so important to set a positive tone for your classroom.

There are a variety of ways to make your classroom your own, and one of the best ways is to get families involved! If families have a say in what goes on in the classroom, and understand expectations from the beginning, it is much easier to maintain that positive environment! If you and the families are on the same team, it ensures that the children are receiving the best possible care and education. Of course, there is always a chance of conflict, but with clear expectations and different ways to communicate, issues can be resolved quickly and solutions can be found!

Sending out daily and weekly updates of your classroom is a great way to make sure parents are included in what is happening in the classroom. It may sound challenging to provide daily information, but by writing a few quick notes about the children throughout the day, you will have a multitude of info for the caregiver at the end of the day. Like wise, provide a way for parents and caregivers to send information to you as well! Drop off time may too quick or uncomfortable for parents to share info, so ensure they are provided your contact information as soon as possible. They can share any challenges going on with their child, or better yet, any new interests that the child may have that can be incorporated into the lessons!

Remember as the new school year rolls in, this can be a scary and overwhelming time for both the children and the caregivers. Patience and understanding as well as open communication can go a long way!