Category Archives: Training for Early Childhood Directors

Thinking About Transitions …

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?

“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

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How Are Our Classroom Environments Working?

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?

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

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Interesting Elements to Add to our Environments for Children

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

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Spaces and Places – Thoughtfully Designed

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

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

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The Partnership

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

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When Parents Have Concerns

Even in the most competently run early childhood programs, parents have concerns and sometimes complaints. And, they have a right and a responsibility to express their concerns, and, to receive thoughtful responses. There are some general strategies to use in these situations – strategies that will also help us continue to build positive relationships. Read on… Continue reading

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Parents Can Teach Us About Their Children – If We Ask Some Good Questions

As early childhood educators, helping relationships develop naturally and authentically between parents, teachers, and children is what we do. Some of us do this with ease. Some of us need a little guidance. And some of us have used the strategy of building the parent relationship through the child with much success.
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