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child care for special needs kids

Having a special needs child comes with an extreme level of responsibility, and oftentimes, more expenses. So, what do you do when you have to go to work and need someone to care for your child? I struggled with this for about two years before I couldn't financially stay home with my son any longer. I spent a lot of time looking for information about finding the right child care center for my son and what I could do to prepare him for the transition from home to the center. On this blog you will find tips that can help the process go much smoother for you and your child.

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child care for special needs kids

Comparing Child Development Theories

by Sid Van Minnen

Choosing a child care or daycare facility can be difficult. Before choosing a daycare, learn the teaching methods that different daycare centers use to teach children. You can use this knowledge to determine which teaching style is best for you and your child and what child care facility to use. 

Behaviorist Theory

B.F. Skinner created common behaviorist theories that use reward and punishment to encourage the desired behavior from a child. This theory believes environmental sources create a child's behavior. Children learn through repetition and positive reinforcement. When a child disobeys, the teacher uses punishment to discourage the negative behavior.

Montessori

The Montessori method of teaching developed because Maria Montessori thought most schools did not respect the children. This method emphasizes letting the child learn through play and exploration rather than rigid classroom methods. While children are free to choose what they want to learn, the teacher acts as a connection between the child and the environment. It also emphasizes that every child has sensitive periods in their lives that help them learn different things at different times. These sensitive periods vary for different children. 

Waldorf

Developed by Rudolf Steiner, the Waldorf theories emphasize children learning through their environment with their imagination. For example, a child can learn to care for younger children with a doll. This teaching method also believes in developing a relationship with the teacher. While the children determine what they want to learn on any given day in the Montessori method, the teacher guides the children in the Waldorf method. While learning still focuses on play, there is an emphasis on structure. All Waldorf schools and the teachers must be Waldorf certified. 

Reggio

The main distinction of Reggio teaching methods is that they emphasize learning in a social environment. Learning is done in groups. Also, all language and social development are recorded in detail for everyone to see. The teacher also learns with the child. While Montessori education believes in "sensitive periods" when children learn best, Reggio education rejects this idea. They believe children should learn at their individual pace and development stages can actually hinder development. Finally, children learn through listening rather than observing. 

Connectivism

Collectivism understands that times have changed drastically with new technology. It adjusts teaching methods to adapt to the new way that people receive information. In a world of constant information, connectivism understands that people get an influx of influx of information thrown at them quickly. The theory emphasizes recognizing what information is important and what information is not. 

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