Advocate for themselves and others.

Find people who get what it means to VALUE and Care for young children.

Find people who get what it means to VALUE and Care for young children.

How many times do you hear this phrase used during the day in your early childhood program?

It breaks my heart every time an adult minimizes a child's feelings. At least 5 times a week, I hear an adult say something like this "it's not a big deal, there is no reason to be upset about, or you get what you get, and you don't get upset.

For our youngest children, family is everything..

Educators implement developmentally appropriate practice by recognizing the multiple assets all young children bring to the early learning program as unique individuals and as members of families and communities." NAEYC

But what if they... Are young children who have only been on this planet for 1,2,3,4 or 5 years. Are young children who are learning how to navigate life within a group of same-aged children.

I've recently seen so many comments by misinformed people on posts by educators with a similar…

I've recently seen so many comments by misinformed people on posts by educators with a similar tone- "teachers shouldn't discuss their personal lives with their students."

I want you to imagine that you've had a tough day. You feel like everything is going wrong. You walk into your house, drop your bags on the floor, sigh loudly and walk to the kitchen.

Truth be told, I am horrible at sitting with my own feelings. I am, however, an expert on pushing them down and pushing forward. I’ve been this way my entire life. For 46 years, I’ve heard how “strong I am” even when I was suffering inside. It wasn’t until very recently that my parents (who are lovely) realized that they should not have reinforced this notion of me being strong and resilient throughout my childhood.

There are moments throughout the parenting journey that you are stopped in your tracks by a flood of memories. Today is one of those days for me. This is the day that my beautiful (eighteen year old) girl has been waiting for since she was four years old. The day when she gets her first tattoo.

What was it that I noticed? That in the world of early childhood education there is a preconceived notion that there are some roles in our field that are seen as better than others.

Can we PLEASE get rid of the "Busyness Narrative" in the Early Childhood Classroom..

While I understand the importance of the required training hours, I think we've lost sight of professional development's real purpose. The goal of participating in professional development opportunities is to help us reflect upon and grow our teaching practices. When we lose focus on this goal, we are doing a disservice to ourselves and our children.

If you have a child (or know a child) that has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) the Individuals with Disabilities in Education (IDEA) Act played an essential role in the process. In 1975 IDEA (the nation's special education law) was passed. This act ensures that all children with an identified disability receive education (and related services), are prepared for independent living, and their rights and the rights of their family are protected. Governmental changes to IDEA can have detrimental effects.

This cycle of comfort is something I saw firsthand when my students ventured into the outdoor classroom each week. At first the children would be excited. They were thrilled to be leaving behind the four walls of the classroom on a fantastic adventure. Slowly things would change depending on the temperature and our moods.

A few rituals were a part of my previous classroom culture that I wanted to carry over to my new home away from home. One of these rituals was celebrating each child's birthday with a birthday circle. I knew this was a way that I could honor each individual child.

There are many transitions made throughout our lifetime. One of the most significant transitions for a teacher of young children occurs when a child moves from preschool to kindergarten. This journey can be so exciting, but it can also evoke anxiety for children and parents alike.