Shinka Class (FY2022)
In Shinka classes, teachers do not simply list rules such as walking in the classroom or being nice to your friends but use mindset (awareness) as the basis for the rules in the class. And that mindset is being safe and respecting others. The CDC is a great opportunity for children to learn social skills through group living. We routinely ask children how to be safe and get along with their friends and the children list their home and school life experiences. For example, "walk indoors" because it is easy to get hurt by bumping into tables, chairs, and peers. They also said, "listen to their friends" because that is what a good friend does.
Children in the Shinka class are given the opportunity to think about their own behavior. When there is a conflict between children, they will try to resolve it on their own, but it may not be resolved. Classroom Teachers will guide this learning opportunity, and children will actively discuss in group time and brainstorm solutions as a whole group. This process allows children to take responsibility for their own actions, and to develop a sense of belonging. Shinka teachers respond to children's challenging (risky) behavior by setting clear limits. However, we do not respond by punishing children, but by helping them to recognize the "consequences" of their actions and to think about what to do next. We continue to ask questions to build awareness of "being safe" and "respecting others" so that both children and adults can have a good time in a group setting, and we strive to communicate this to each child in a way that is easy for them to understand.
Below are the answers to the questions we received from a parent of the Shinka class.
Lunch Size?
In the Shinka class, in order not to waste food, the teachers ask the children who have difficulty with vegetables in advance, "How much can you eat? and adjust the portions accordingly. The goal is to give children the confidence to finish all of the food on their plates. If a child wants more food, he or she can have another serving. We do not force or withhold food for any reason.
Lunch Time Schedule
Current Lunch Time is for 45 minutes. The CDC is a group setting and activities are based on a daily schedule. However, we do our best to support those preschoolers who need extra assistance, such as extended lunch periods.
We coordinate activities and schedules throughout the year to ensure a smooth transition and success in school after children graduate from the CDC. The Shinka class also did an overhaul of the schedule to adapt to the new outside play schedule since moving play areas (so children will be able to explore various motor movements in a safer way) and the teachers did consider how to adapt the schedule that best suits the class which includes getting them ready for elementary school and adjusting the time for lunch.
When a child finishes their lunch early, they have a choice to leave their seat and read books in the reading area. They also have a choice to stay at their seat until lunch time is over. Children have some extra time reading while the room is being cleaned after mealtime.
Veggies First?
There is no set order in which children eat their food. Teachers may say, "Why don't you try eating vegetables first?" but there is no compulsion. Some children choose to eat vegetables first, while others do not. Some children like to play color games during mealtime. For example, "Let's eat green!" a teacher or child says and they look for green food and eat it, and the game continues until there are no more colors on the plate.
Drink Milk to Eat Cake?
Bread and cake are popular snacks for children. Teachers encourage children to drink soy milk or milk served at the same time, but of course they can eat the bread and cake without drinking it. Snacks are not to be withheld for any reasons.
Snacks are only considered as supplementary food until the meal. We adjust the number of servings for morning snacks because an excessive intake of morning snacks can keep them from having a well-balanced lunch.
What is 3 Strike Rules?
We had a period when more children in Shinka class were presenting disruptive behaviors and the rule was implemented to visually guide some children who are not being safe in the classroom. Shinka teachers encourage children to resolve problems on their own, but we intervene when the behaviors get escalated to the point where the child may hurt themselves or other children.
Please note that we discontinued the use of three-strike rules since the situation has improved. We continue to talk with children about their actions and discuss the cause and effect when they are not being safe. The child will be given time to reflect on themselves, with table toys or books at their own assigned seat until they calm down. Then the teachers will talk to the child again to check their understanding before they return to the activity.