Music and the arts have been viewed in many different ways throughout the history of education. Many times when schools experience budget cuts, the fine and performing arts programs are the first to be cut. This could lead folks to believe that music and the arts are not essential, but this could not be further … Read more
What do you think of when the concept of “legacy” comes to mind? Take a minute. Now that you have taken time to gather your thoughts on this concept, have you ever considered your own legacy? Deep question, right? But it’s actually simpler than it seems! First, let’s explore the term “legacy”. Some people may … Read more
Change is something that is inevitable in the human experience. Some of us thrive on change and others dread it. Both are completely normal reactions! For many of us, learning to embrace change takes time and practice. Think of all we have experienced throughout the past two years while dealing with COVID-19. Both adults and … Read more
Every year in April, the early childhood education community celebrates the Week of the Young Child (WOYC). This is a time to truly appreciate the magic of young children and advocate for their care and education. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) established the first WOTYC in 1971. Since then NAEYC … Read more
If you keep up with trends in early childhood education and what is considered best practice, you have likely heard of play-based learning. It is a term that is mentioned often when discussing how children learn. But what exactly does play-based learning mean? Play-based learning consists of child-led activities with the teacher supporting the play … Read more
For many people, the month of December tends to be a time of reflection. The current year is ending, a new year is about to begin, and the holidays can bring about lots of emotions. This can lead to thinking of the past and feelings of nostalgia. One of the ways we connect with the … Read more
Have you ever stopped to think about the concept of storytelling? So many of our interactions involve telling each other stories. These stories can be personal anecdotes, funny or interesting things we have heard, warnings or cautionary tales and more. Storytelling is a fascinating piece of the human experience.
Throughout the field of early childhood education, we hear the term “continuous quality improvement” often. But what exactly does that term mean? Continuous quality improvement (CQI) is used across a variety of disciplines. The concept originated in the business and health care fields. Study.com defines CQI as, “a management philosophy used to better their processes.” … Read more
For many early childhood educators, “business practices” is not a favorite topic. Most of our focus is on the education and care of the children we serve. But it is important to remember that good business practices lead to higher-quality programs. After all, early childhood education programs are also businesses and if you are a … Read more
It is no secret to anyone working in the field of early care and education that child care is a demanding job. Many educators work long hours that often extend after the children have gone home. Burnout is always a concern in our field. But what happens when you combine the typical stresses of the … Read more
DELAWARE INSTITUTE FOR
EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
