Early childhood education leaders know how important staff recognition is to morale and retention. When teachers feel recognized, they may be more likely to stay in their jobs, making an even greater long-term impact on the children in their care. We recently caught up with Reem Kievit, the Director of Community Schools and Preschool Program
As a group of preschoolers gather on a rug, their teacher holds up a card with the letter D and says, “I wonder what would happen if we changed the first sound of our name to a D sound. I’m going to go first. Instead of Mrs. Powers, I would be “Mrs…“ She pauses and
A group of lively preschoolers dance and sway to music while waving brightly colored scarves. For Andrea Williams and the children in her programs, it’s more than a fun way to get moving. It’s an intentional teaching practice. Andrea Williams is the early childhood coach for the Washington Elementary School District’s Kid Space Program, a
As an early childhood educator, you’re probably already aware of the benefits of active physical play for young children. (If you want to learn more, check out these links about the brain boosting impacts and social and emotional benefits of active play.) Whether you work with infants, toddlers or preschoolers, you have a lot on
Whether you work with infants, toddlers or preschoolers, you have the power to share the joy of reading with the children in your care. This means more than having children’s books in your setting. Don’t get us wrong, having books is important, but how you use books makes a world of difference. Positive story times
As an early educator, you know young children are naturally curious about the world around them. As early educators, we can foster that curiosity and nurture a lifelong love for learning. Child-focused learning is all about noticing and following children’s interests in learning experiences. By noticing and following their interests, we can take advantage of
Early educators understand that every child is unique and that development doesn’t adhere to a strict timetable. But there’s one developmental milestone that comes with a lot of expectations—learning to use the toilet. Families and caregivers alike often feel pressure for children to meet this milestone by their third birthday. The reality, as many early