Hiya, possibly going at a slightly different angle with this but to help adults have a positive attitude with the children they also need to know that what they are doing in the first place is valued and of worth.
Making staff feel part of the group and valuing what they have to say - including personal views on parenting, education and thoughts about everyday life will help them understand how important their role is within the group. This is an aspect that the Children will be able to relate to and build upon with the adults.
Taking an interest in what people enjoy learning about and ensuring that they know you are interested will help them to introduce and develop ideas in the group - Encouraging Child led activities, but ensure staff know they can speak of any concerns at any time - at the time or if necessary to an appropriate person.
Make time and space for adults to be able to talk to the children - one to one and as a group on their level and stood - what are thoughts in allowing them to interupt and join in Child activities but not necessarily lead / take over ..
Activity suggestion: small area gardening - bulb planting - if wished let staff plant their own bulb alongside the Children. Label and position the pots as the children wish (or not).. guide if there is risk - pots may get knocked off - encouraging the dialogue between staff and Children about the activity in hand, generally, something completely irrelevant or maybe not at all !
Allowing staff to bring in their own age related storybooks from home to read at story time or in the book corner will promote a love of books / build relationships and hopefully recieve an enthusiatic welcome from both sides !
Delegating responsibilities & allowing responsibilities to be requested - from everyone ... defining responsibilities for the purpose of contractual agreements and on a preference basis - ensuring everyone knows and agrees but also appreciates flexibility & can also feel confident in challenging those boundaries... deployment may also feature in the access staff & children have / would have together.
Identifying training needs in staff and being able to discuss what knowledge they feel needs to be extended and also what they'd be interested in exploring is good - Regulatory & recommended training, Childhood development and activity workshops are a fantastic way to see what can be provided for the children's learning and how they may benefit from the opportunity - it also shows how the adults can enjoy the planning / collation / delivery and outcomes as well - in house workshops / training are great for anyone with restricted transport ..
Does the group have Logo'd clothing & is it available on any items Staff would have access to ?
Hanging and displaying work together.
Listening to children and valuing what they have to say.
Talking together positively.
Discuss argumentative points productively.
eg: Why can I do it something in one place but not another.
They are allowed why aren't I.
I want it now. Why can't I have it.
Why do you say one thing and someone else says another.
Table activities that are focused on working together but promoting individuality.
Where problems may exist with adults not being able to physically manage the floor sitting - bending, low chairs, reach and stretch... discuss as a group what activities are possible, what the expectations are from colleagues and Children and work together to examine the realities and where possible provide solutions.
If you look at your daily routine see what events happen throughout its course that enables interaction between adults and staff - all members of staff themselves and also the non interactive moments that may simply provide reassurance to the children that assistance is at hand.
Home time and helping with coats .. is this an opportunity of independance or do the children still want help .. what is going on whilst help is being given - are adult & child talking about the coat or maybe to another staff member / parent or maybe just getting on with the dressing actions ...
The role of Adults in Childs play from openlearn.open.ac.uk is good
*deep breath ..
lol .. I hope all this helps a little
xx