As we begin the new year, you can help beginning of year jitters by planning a cooking activity with your kids. When we prepare food and then eat it together, we work towards a common purpose. And everyone will enjoy it because who doesn’t love a great snack? Additionally, having an extra snack in-between meals […]
If you haven’t read the first two posts about difficult conversations, you might want to go back and read them. Then you’ll be able to better follow these steps for an honest, forthright conversation that tackles conflict in your school or personal life. Part I, Part II. We’ve been talking about how to tackle difficult […]
What’s really going on when your staff has “issues”? Getting to the heart of the problem will help you learn how to manage conflict with your staff in your center. In early childhood, relationships are paramount. You work and lead through relationship, touching each other deeply. Maintaining healthy relationships with the children you care for, […]
NAEYC has a Code of Ethics that defines how early childhood professionals can best serve children, protect the privacy of families, interact with colleagues and employers and advocate for the dignity of all races, creeds and cultures. This Code of Ethics also defines how we need to go about solving conflicts in the work place. […]
You never know what will happen when you’re willing to talk to people you haven’t met yet! Last summer I was in San Antonio, doing a teacher training. One night at the hotel, I went to the workout room. There was one other woman there and we struck up a conversation. Her name was Heather […]
Summer is here! Are you ready? Here’s some ideas to get you started! Click here for the printable.
Summer programming differs from the regular school year in most early childhood settings. For one thing, you’ve got those schoolers all day long! Also, programs often take a break from the regular curriculum to focus on different things. Here are some ideas that will lead to great interactions and learning. And they’re guaranteed to prevent […]
Everybody loves playdough, especially me. It’s a universal soother for toddlers through grownups! Have it out on the table for children to play with as they arrive in the morning and they’ll immediately become engaged, making goodbyes with parents a little easier. It lends itself to great conversation and imaginative play (everybody makes playdough snakes and […]
A few days ago, a friend told me that she had gone to a sushi restaurant the week before and she didn’t know what she’d eaten that triggered it but her eyes and lips swelled up immediately. The swelling lasted for several days and was painful. “I couldn’t leave the house.” She was really concerned […]
Sounds morbid, right? Who wants to read a story about death to little children?? Though these types of weighty topics can be difficult to discuss, it’s an important responsibility we have as educators: to help children build mental constructs around all sorts of issues, including death. It’s a natural process of life that we all experience in […]