Discussion: Organizing Classrooms or Groups
As the authors of your course text point out in Chapter 7, group sizes and ratios can have a profound impact on the quality of care in child development centers. At the same time, maintaining high-quality care is not simply a matter of instituting a low adult-child ratio. Overall group sizes and age make-ups, as well as the method used to organize these groups, also play a major role. To prepare for this Discussion, review the information about adult-child ratios and maximum group sizes proposed by the NAEYC and APHA/AAP in Table 7.1 in your course text. Then, review the adult-child ratios and maximum group sizes for state licensing of child development programs in your state.
Reflect on the following:
• How are your state's standards different or similar to the NAEYC and/or APHA/AAP?
• Which set of standards do you think is preferable?
• What do you think is the ideal adult-child ratio and maximum group size for each age range?
• With this is mind, how would you organize classrooms or groups at your child development center-mixed-age or looping? Explain why.
With these thoughts in mind, follow the instructions below to post your response to this Discussion topic.
Post a description of how your state's adult-child ratio and maximum group size standards compare to NAEYC and APHA/AAP standards as well as an explanation of which set of standards you find preferable. Then, identify what you consider to be the ideal adult-child ratio and maximum group size for each age range, explaining why. Finally, describe how you would organize classrooms or groups at your child development center (mixed-age or looping), providing a rationale for your choice.
Read a selection of your colleagues' postings. As you read their responses, note those to which you would like to respond with advice, questions, comments, and/or encouragement.
Respond to two or more of your colleagues' postings in any of the following ways:
• Build on something your colleague said.
• Explain why and how you see things differently.
• Ask a probing or clarifying question.
• Share an insight from having read your colleague's posting.
• Offer and support an opinion.
• Validate an idea with your own experience.
• Expand on your colleague's posting.
• Ask for evidence that supports the posting.