I am shocked, horrified, disappointed, and frankly angry at the number of recent incidents where early childhood providers are harming the children in their care. While I understand the frustration of working with young children, there is no excuse for intentionally harming a child.

What do I mean by true fun? Those bliss-filed moments during the day when you aren’t watching the clock or planning activity number one hundred for the week. Those moments when a toddler is laughing so hard their belly shakes. Those moments when you lay on the ground with a group of preschoolers inspecting ant crawling on a dried up worm. Those moments when nothing matters but being fully present. Those moments seem far and few between in our current early childhood climate.

When I am trying to establish why I feel so stuck in certain areas of my life, I look for research-backed resources that will help me design a growth plan. I know that this work in my personal life will help my professional life and vice versa.

We should be asking open-ended questions where children can share their ideas and opinions.

We should all aspire to be more like children.

Let's see their traits as inspiration to be better humans!

How will you ensure that the children in your care are given the support they need?

I recently asked a group of young children to tell me about circle time. They immediately pointed to a space in their classroom and said "that is circle time."

How will you use this information to inform your caregiving and teaching practices?

I am on a mission to Transform ECE; therefore, the content I share reflects this journey. At times it may make you challenge your thinking which can be very uncomfortable. Still, I believe that to grow, we need to feel uncomfortable.

If your early childhood program focuses on social-emotional learning for the children but never took the time to focus on it for the educators, don't expect anyone to grow socially or emotionally.

My daughter has always had the biggest of big feelings. When she was younger negative, peer interactions landed so deep within her heart. Seeing something incredibly adorably would bring her to tears.

Please remember that our mission will provide children with the tools and strategies they will use for the rest of their lives.

What would it look like if you could measure your days in presence instead of productivity?

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