Module 3: Promoting Positive Relationships

Pre-learning Assignment:

  1. Using your copy of the Instructional Practices to Promote Positive Relationships Teacher/Staff Self Checklist, how would you rate yourself on each of the instructional practices? Do you implement each practice almost always? Occasionally? Not yet? Reflect on which practice(s) you wish to improve in the current school year. Be prepared to discuss in face-to-face session.
  2. Select an instructional practice from the self-assessment on which you rated yourself as implementing ‘almost always.’ Describe, in writing, a strategy you use to implement the practice. Be prepared to share the strategy in the face-to-face session.
  3. Download and review The Power of Positive Adult Child Relationships: Connection is the Key by Dr. Jean Clinton at this link: URL: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/childcare/Clinton.pdf
    This article explores a creative ratio termed ‘C:D:C Ratio.’ This is the amount of time a teacher spends ‘Correcting and Directing’ compared to ‘Connecting’ with young children in their daily care.

·  Read this article and reflect on the questions at the end.

·  Complete a 30 minute cycle of C:D:C. Use your cell phone (or other device) to record your verbal interactions with your children for 30 minutes. At the end of the 30 minutes, determine how many minutes (including % of time) you spent correcting, giving directions, and connecting with the young children in your classroom. As the article emphasizes, there is no correct answer for this equation. Bring this information to the face-to-face session and be prepared to share with the group what you learned from this exercise (you will not be required to share your percentages).

  1. Be prepared to discuss the pre-learning assignment with your colleagues at the upcoming face-to-face session on Promoting Positive Relationships.

Effective Teacher Practices Supporting

North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development
NC Early Learning Network, a joint project of NC-DPI and UNC-FPG, 2016