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For the last 40 years, I have been a successful teacher, director, and leader in the field of early childhood education. My blog posts, my consulting and coaching services, along with my broad array of training and workshops for early childhood educators offer a wealth of best practice materials and resources for those who aspire to quality in the field. Thank you for visiting! I invite you to share your thoughts, and look forward to hearing from you.Categories
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Resources
Subscribe via RSS- Beyond the Book—Strategies for Weathering the Storms of Change
- Beyond the Book—Observe, Listen, and then, Act
- Professionalism…
- Beginnings…
- Beyond the Book—Coping with Change
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- Inspiring Others…
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- Beyond the Book—Zero-to-Three Model (A Parent’s Perspective)
- Beyond the Book—Inspiration for the New School Year
Category Archives: Performance Management Skills
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
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
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
Posted in Early Childhood, Early Childhood Curriculum, Early Childhood Leadership, Early Childhood Teachers, For Early Childhood Directors, Managing Early Childhood Programs, Performance Management Skills, Training for Early Childhood Directors, Training for Early Childhood Professionals
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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
Posted in Early Childhood, Early Childhood Curriculum, Early Childhood Leadership, Early Childhood Teachers, For Early Childhood Directors, Managing Early Childhood Programs, Performance Management Skills, Training for Early Childhood Directors, Training for Early Childhood Professionals
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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
Posted in Early Childhood, Early Childhood Curriculum, Early Childhood Leadership, Early Childhood Teachers, For Early Childhood Directors, Managing Early Childhood Programs, Performance Management Skills, Training for Early Childhood Directors, Training for Early Childhood Professionals
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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
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
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
“Read the Air …”
We, in early childhood education, can also tap into this practice. “Reading the air” easily applies to the way we enter a classroom of young children; how we join a group of preschoolers already at play; and how we enter a conversation between colleagues. Do we enter quietly, respectfully, and take in all that is happening within the space? Do we observe and listen first? And then, do we enter in a way that “fits” with what is already happening? Do we “read the air?” Continue reading
Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever
Reading aloud to children before they start school is a win/win situation for all concerned. The research is in. There are huge gains to be made—for children and adults alike. I’ll spend the next few minutes hopefully inspiring you to read, read, read aloud to the young children in your life and, as Mem Fox says, “change the world one page at a time.” Continue reading