Category Archives: Managing Early Childhood Programs

What’s the Hurry?

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Marcia Hebert

My desire for all of us who live and work with young children is to read, absorb, and reflect upon The Hurried Child. And if what David Elkind says speaks to you as well, make changes in your life – and in your work with these little ones. Continue reading →

Posted in Early Childhood, Early Childhood Leadership, Early Childhood Teachers, Managing Early Childhood Programs, Training for Early Childhood Directors | 3 Comments

De-Clutter Your Classrooms – For the Children!

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Marcia Hebert

There is good reason and solid research behind “de-cluttering our early childhood environments,” and it focuses our thoughts and energies on the children. If you have read my blog posts, you’ll understand that the rationale behind my decisions and actions as a teacher and director focuses on what is the best practice – for the children! De-cluttering our environments is one such practice. Continue reading →

Posted in Early Childhood, Early Childhood Leadership, Early Childhood Teachers, Managing Early Childhood Programs, Training for Early Childhood Directors | 3 Comments

Thinking About Transitions …

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Marcia Hebert

Have we given enough thought to the many changes and many transitions that our children experience throughout the day? More importantly, have we thought about the impact of these transitions on the children? Are we producing anticipation, expectation, and excitement, or, are we causing uncertainty, anxiety, and stress? Read on. Continue reading →

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How Do I Learn Just Who I Am?

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Marcia Hebert

“I learn from you who I am.
Within your eyes I see reflected me.
Within your voice I hear how you see me.
You are the mirror that I look into and mold the image of myself.” Continue reading →

Posted in Early Childhood, Early Childhood Leadership, Early Childhood Teachers, Managing Early Childhood Programs, Training for Early Childhood Directors | 3 Comments

How Are Our Classroom Environments Working?

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Marcia Hebert

After the planning, designing, arranging, and equipping has been accomplished, we will quickly know if the environment we have created for the children is or is not working! Our observations of the children’s behavior will tell us what we need to do next, and whether we need to improve the environment, the materials, or the activities. Continue reading →

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Do Our Classroom Environments Send the Right Messages to the Children?

Posted on September 30, 2012 by Marcia Hebert

Teachers who are aware of the power of the environment arrange their spaces thoughtfully and intentionally to send the messages they want children to receive. Continue reading →

Posted in Early Childhood, Early Childhood Leadership, Early Childhood Teachers, Managing Early Childhood Programs, Training for Early Childhood Directors | 2 Comments

Interesting Elements to Add to our Environments for Children

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Marcia Hebert

Sometimes, we come upon a piece of equipment or an unlikely object that works so well in our programs for young children that we just have to pass the idea on. Such is the intent of this post. Continue reading →

Posted in Early Childhood, Early Childhood Leadership, Early Childhood Teachers, John Hancock Child Care Center, Managing Early Childhood Programs, Training for Early Childhood Directors | Leave a comment

Spaces and Places – Thoughtfully Designed

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Marcia Hebert

“The aesthetic appeal is all about color, lighting, display, texture, nature, sounds, and smells; and the warm, home-like feel is about softness, real-life materials blended into the child’s world of things.” This is a thoughtful, intentional design for early childhood environments.
Continue reading →

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Spaces and Places – The Basics of Designing Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Environments

Posted on June 30, 2012 by Marcia Hebert

Who will live in this space?
If we can thoughtfully and in great detail answer this one question, and, in essence, become these children, we will be well on our way to designing environments that meet both the developmental needs and interests of their inhabitants. Continue reading →

Posted in Early Childhood, Early Childhood Leadership, Early Childhood Teachers, John Hancock Child Care Center, Managing Early Childhood Programs, Training for Early Childhood Directors | Leave a comment

The Partnership

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Marcia Hebert

The partnership between the parent and the teacher cannot be underestimated. When it is built on mutual trust and respect, everything else falls into place. Everything! Continue reading →

Posted in Early Childhood, Early Childhood Leadership, Early Childhood Teachers, Managing Early Childhood Programs, Training for Early Childhood Directors | 2 Comments