If you don't know where Fort Lonesome is, look 9 miles east of Wimauma on CR 674. It looks a lot different than it did in 1953. But it is still 9 miles east of Wimauma.
Who would have thought that a country cracker would become an Evidence Based Practitioner. I may not be one yet, but I am pretty far down the railroad tracks. Having been a mental health counselor and then owner/operator/teacher/"behavior specialist" of a pre-school for 30+ years provides a base of experience. Having been the parent of a multiple disabled kid for 24+ years provided a real life learning environment that far surpassed any classroom or practicum experience by far.
I've lived it 24/7 for 24+. And I am still learning and thriving.
I don't know if I can claim to be a validated Evidence Based Practitioner, but I am getting close.
Click on the link and then click on what an Evidence Based Practitioner is. Center for Evidence-Based Practice: Young Children with Challenging Behavior - Resources
And then click on the link to see what I will have after some professional tweaking: Program Practices for Promoting the Social Development of Young Children and Addressing Challenging Behavior.
What should be noted is that the key to providing a successful path for children is to develop their social-emotional skills, for without these skills, educational benefit is severely hampered, no matter what the "educational setting" is. What should be noted is that the key to developing adequate social-emotional skills means the children must have a nurturing and responsive relationship with the caring adults.
What should be noted is that evidence based research shows that it costs less money (time and effort) to build a strong relationship than the time required to implement more elaborate and time consuming strategies. Read the link "The Teaching Pyramid: A Model for Supporting Social Competence and Preventing Challenging Behavior in Young Children".
So word to the professionals that are in charge of the business of educating our children: Working on nurturing and responsive relationships with children and their parents is cheaper and provides better results.
Unlike this approach.
Friday, August 8, 2008
A Fort Lonesome Evidence-Based Practitioner
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2 comments:
You'll do great!!! This sounds like the perfect place for you!! I hope I get some of the kids that go through your program in my classes!!!
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I am excited about this new program. While we already have an above average learning environment, this will take us to the next level.
I am a strong believer in language as the key to success. Learning "the language" may come in different forms, but with an effective communication system, individuals or groups will certainly not progress very far.
Members of successful teams "speak the same language". Those who must overcome adversity must learn the needed language to effect positive change.
While it our (adults) responsibility to learn the language, it is our (adults) responsibility to teach the language to our kids, for without, they won't get very far.
There is a huge difference between the language of "walk" vs. "don't run". There is a huge difference between the language of "if you walk, you will be safe" vs. "if you run, you will (be punished)".
The difference is in the thought processes of the child. While an adult make think that these statements are true "if/then" statements, the social emotional learning for the child is different. One statement fosters a nurturing relationship, the other one fosters a power and control relationship.
To use the absurd to make a point, let's put in in adult terms. If one adult said to another "If you perform this task, you will get paid %500", vs "If you don't perform this task, I will shoot you". Imagine the different thought processes and emotions you as an adult would have under each of these settings.
Which one is more conducive to developing a positive learning environment or which one is less likely to develop a positive learning environment? Which one is conducive to developing a nurturing relationship, or which one is less likely to develop a nurturing relatioship?
They both are aimed at getting you to do the task. It is the language which drives the different emotions and thoughts that is the difference.
We as teachers must cause the difference.
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