Category Archives: Managing Early Childhood Programs

Keys to Quality …

Every now and then I come across an article that fits beautifully with our work toward quality early education and care. Here, then, are the twelve characteristics of effective early childhood teachers. When one combines these characteristics with both knowledge and skill, you have the makings of an excellent teacher. Continue reading

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Working Together: Building a Team

I love to watch flocks of geese flying over my house in their familiar “V” formation. Graceful. Perfectly spaced. And honking. Within this post, I’ll share what some believe about why geese fly the way they do. And then, and more importantly, what we can learn from them. Enjoy the quick read! Continue reading

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Spring Cleaning …

Happy Spring! Part of my spring-cleaning ritual has always included reflecting about my life, and taking stock. Spring is my time for tossing out what doesn’t fit or work anymore, and thinking about what I might add instead. If my earlier goals no longer seem realistic or important, what should I do with the rest of my life? Should you be doing some spring cleaning today, here are some thoughts to consider. Continue reading

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Leading by Example …

Years ago, I came upon a blog post written by Dharmesh Shah, Co-founder and CTO of HubSpot. He is ‘spot on’ (no pun intended) overall—and his thoughts are relevant to this leadership blog. The following are selected portions of his post, which I offer to you—the leaders (directors, managers, and supervisors) within our early childhood community. Continue reading

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The Delicate Balance Between Work and Life …

How do we balance the demands of our work and our life? Strategies, tips, short-cuts, realistic expectations, setting priorities, managing stress, and cutting ourselves some slack in the process of living and working help greatly. Here are some resources … Continue reading

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Endings and Beginnings …

I love both endings and beginnings!
Both give me an opportunity to take stock of my Life. Both give me an opportunity to begin again – to take from last year what I now want in my Life. To remember those things that went especially well. And yes, to reflect upon those things that didn’t go as well as I had thought. To end and then begin again is energizing! And, it makes my Life interesting! Continue reading

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Through a New Lens …

We have family living in Japan. We travel there, and when they come here to the states, they stay with us. It is a time of bridging two cultures, two languages, two ways of living – and in the process, building relationships.
And along the way, I have begun to see my home, my ways of doing things, my culture, my language, and my life through another’s eyes. More and more I am looking at everything around me through a news lens. And as I reflect, my personal experience mirrors my professional experience – what are my young children seeing, hearing, feeling, as I introduce them to new experiences in the classroom? Am I focused on ‘what I am doing’ or am I focused on ‘what the children are receiving’? I hope the latter … Continue reading

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Holidays as Early Childhood Curriculum …

From my vantage point as teacher, then director, and consultant to many, many early childhood programs, I often wonder why we use holidays as our curriculum with very young children … Continue reading

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Spaces and Places for Young Children—Thoughtfully Designed

I love creating aesthetically pleasing environments for children! I love the possibilities within each space! I love moving furniture to get just the right placement! I love finding the perfect container for our nature walk treasures! I love adding unique materials to the shelves! And, I love to watch the children discover all that is waiting to be discovered! Continue reading

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What’s the Hurry …

More than twenty-five years ago, I had the privilege of speaking with a professor from Tufts University. He had written a book, and was at our AEYC meeting. Little did I know then that my work with young children would be shaped by this chance discussion with David Elkind, author of “The Hurried Child”. Continue reading

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