While researching the various sites that were given to us for Fostering Early Learning I found myself focusing on the site edutopia. I sifted through the various articles that they have available and found that most of the articles do not necessarily deal with early childhood in education but older grades. I then came across an article that I believe is pertinent for any age group the article is entitled: The Language of Choice and Support. This article is about how we as educators can reshape the way that we use words with children especially in situations that involve children who have diagnosis. In doing this and changing the way that we speak we are cutting out the negativity and creating a more positive school experience for the children.
I like the real life example that the author used in stating that if we as educators go around using words like crazy, nuts and insane that we are creating a negative environment for the children. This is something I am guilty of on a daily basis. I like other educators do not mean to do this on purpose it is just part of my personality and the way that I speak. However the author suggests we use such language as unbelievable, unusual and unexpected instead for the former words to express how we feel during the day. As an educator I can see how the choice in words will make a difference in how children perceive my personality and what I am saying. The author also goes on to say that children are listening to the words that we use and will see us as either a place to go or not to go in times of struggle based on the words that we use in everyday language.
Reference
Shevrin, A. (2015). The Language of Choice and Support. Retrieved from:
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/language-of-choice-and-support-alex-shevrin
