What Role Do Relationships Play in Developing Positive Learning Environments?

Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model explores the relationship between a child's environment and that child's development. In his theory, Urie Bronfenbrenner defines several layers that make up the overall system in which the child functions. These layers are known as the Microsystem, Mesosystem, Exosystem, Macrosystem, and Chronosystem. Each of these layers plays a role in influencing the development of the child as well as each other and the child, in turn, has an impact on these layers. This process is referred to as a bi-directional influence. The actions of the parent affect the behavior and beliefs of the child while the behavior of the child affects

Positive relationships with children and young people are important as when children feel comfortable they can separate more easily from their parents and children are more likely to participate in the play and learning activities if they are secure emotionally.

Forming and maintaining positive relationships within a school setting is of great importance. To have good relationships with pupils, staff and parents is not only beneficial to the school but also to pupil’s achievement.

The Ecological Systems Theory was founded by Urie Bronfenbrenner. This theory focuses on the impact of the environment on a child’s overall development. The identifying characteristics of Bronfenbrenner’s theory are the five systems used to organize external influences within a child’s development. These systems are the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem. Each system is aligned with specific interaction levels. The microsystem is considered to be the most intimate of the levels, in which development is dependent on the immediate environment. The immediate environment would include adults, peers, and siblings with influence to learning new behaviors and the environment in which the

*Enabling environment- children learn best in positive surroundings when the activities are set out for their personal requirements and there is a good relationship between practitioner and parents of the children.

I believe that each child is unique individual who needs a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere in which to grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially. It is my desire as an educator to help students meet their fullest potential in these areas by providing an environment that is safe, supports risk-taking, and invite a sharing of ideas. There are three elements that I believe are conducive to establishing such an environment namely, the teacher acting guide, allowing the child’s natural curiosity to direct his/her learning, promoting respect for all the things and all the people.

Being able to build positive relationships with others helps children and young people to gain the most from being in school and is important to ensure the communication of information between children and the adults responsible for them. We are more likely to build a positive relationship with someone when we can communicate effectively with them.

It is important to have a positive relationship with children and young adults because if they feel comfortable and secure with the adult and their setting weather it is a childminder, a nursery or a school they will separate more easily from their parent /carer, if they feel emotionally secure they are more likely to participate in the play and learning activities. Children need to have a strong relationship with the staff to feel comfortable and secure this will help them to enjoy themselves and less likely to show unwanted behaviour. From the staffs point of view a close relationship means they learn to recognise

Positive relationships= Relationships that benefit children and young people and their ability to participate in and benefit from the setting.(pg 2, Supporting teaching and learning in schools. L Burnham. B Baker.)

It is important to build positive relationships with children, young people and adults not just within a learning environment but within any social setting, as this forms strong interactive social skills throughout their lives. Children will build from the skills we show them because as adults we are their role models. You should always take into account how you approach someone and respond to them as this will determine how they respond to you. Everyone must be given opportunities to establish trust and to feel at ease.

All learning and exploring is positive and nurturing. The environment needs to encourage children’s development. It’s how children feel positive and confident about their sense of self and their individual accomplishments. Their space needs to provide a balance of challenge, risk and safety.

Educators hold the important role of supporting and facilitating each child’s development, one method of facilitating for the child is by recognizing and providing an optimal learning environment. An optimal learning environment is a safe environment specifically designed to facilitate a child’s learning and developmental needs. Educators need to provide time and opportunity for children to respond and experience the world creatively, it also needs to offer exposure to a variety of experience, to be secure and offer stimulating experiences so children can take risks and investigate the world around them safely. Olds (2001) suggests that children need to feel comfortable in their environment for them to explore. Educators need to be vigilant in making sure that each individuals needs are met so the child feels safe and comfortable in the learning environment. Creating an optimal learning environment means educators need to consider the aspects that create this environment. Harris Helm suggests that the overall effectiveness of an early childhood program is dependant on quality of staff, suitable environment, consistent schedules and parent involvement.

Bronfenbrenner’s (1977, 1979, 1989, 1993, 1994) ecological theory suggested that child (human) development occurs for the child within the context of various environments. These environments, or systems, are influenced from within and between other environments. The individuals within each system influence each other through various transactions that occur between them.

Human development is an essential aspect in early childhood education. This essay is going to discuss the theories of three human development theorists, Urie Bronfenbrenner, John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth’s. Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems theory is concerned with family, cultural and social influences and all the other environmental elements. Bowlby’s Attachment theory and Stages of attachment and Ainsworth’s “Strange Situation” research which breaks down attachment into three types are related to the relationship between adults and children. These theories are all associated with socio-cultural theory, which is throughout the New Zealand early childhood curriculum Te whariki (Ministry of Education, 1996).

To create positive relationships, you need to set an example by using effective communication skills when dealing with others. This includes when both initiating conversation and responding to it. Positive relationships, meaning beneficial relationships for both children and adults, open lines of communication in all areas. Effective communication with both children and adults create a bond and therefore a positive relationship which results in the person responding in the way you would like them to. Without effective communication, relationships can break down and misunderstandings can occur leading for poor communication and a progressively worse atmosphere. Poor levels of communication and unhappiness at work between two colleagues can show in front of children and set a precedent for behaviour. Children are still learning appropriate ways to behave and therefore copy behaviour that they see, treating others accordingly.