Reading with young children and giving them access to a variety of books is essential for early literacy and helps spark a lifelong love of reading. As we choose books, it’s also important to consider the messages they send. The images and words children see strongly shape how they view themselves and others. For example, … Read more
During the month of December, amidst the craziness ofthe holidays, many people begin thinking about the newyear that is approaching. The pressure to start the newyear off right by changing habits or making resolutions iseverywhere, from TV commercials to social media. It’stempting to see January 1st as the start of a new chapter.This can lead … Read more
The month of January can be tough in early childhoodeducation. Many children are adjusting back into aroutine after lots of fun over the holidays, and outdoortime may be limited due to weather conditions. It’s agreat time to pull out some new activities.If you don’t already know, cardboard boxes provideendless possibilities for play! Many people seem … Read more
The Devereux Center for Resilient Children strives to “foster resilience in and promote the social and emotional development of young children (birth to age 5), so that they can be successful in both school and life.” In a recent blog post, the Devereux Center shared helpful ideas for weaving social-emotional learning into everyday classroom activities. … Read more
We all know that moving our bodies is essential to goodhealth. The tricky part can be finding moments in the dayto fit in that movement! For early childhood programs, itcan be especially difficult in the winter months, when wemay get less outdoor time, where much of the movementtypically occurs. This pushes us to be more … Read more
“A basic premise in anti-bias education is ‘We are all the same. We are all different. Isn’t that wonderful!’” The featured NAEYC article explores the four core goals of anti-bias education, which help you create a supportive learning environment that “supports children’s development of a confident sense of identity without needing to feel superior to … Read more
In today’s world, networking is important in any field. Connections with other professionals can provide endless opportunities. Networking can lead to camaraderie, a deeper knowledge of the field, and career advancement. Below are just some of the ways networking can benefit early childhood professionals.
From the Children’s Book Council: Multilingual board books introduce young readers to the sounds and rhythms of more than one language from the very start, helping to build early literacy skills, expand vocabulary, and strengthen cognitive development. These books also celebrate diversity, offering children a window into different traditions and perspectives. By sharing stories in … Read more
Mindfulness in Head Start Settings, from headstart.gov, provides links to a few different resources to support growth in this area. These resources include: An online learning module (also called Mindfulness in Head Start Settings) through the Individualized Professional Development (iPD) Portfolio. The module focuses on how to include mindfulness practices into your daily routines in … Read more
The Head Start brief, You’re the Best Teacher! Responsive Interactions with Young Children, explains how adults’ responsive social interaction is key to children’s early learning.
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