Setting the foundation for good nutritional habits is a vital part of early childhood. Early childhood educators have the opportunity to be a positive nutritional influence on the young children in their care. In this article we will be looking at the many ways to promote good nutritional habits in your program!
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
In early childhood programs, the month of December tends to bring a flurry of activity. Many programs use this as a time to plan family events and special activities for the children. Different holidays are celebrated throughout our programs at this time of year, which makes it a great time to think critically about celebrating … Read more
There is so much truth to the quote above. Think about the children in your care. Before the world gets in the way, children are naturally curious about EVERYTHING! One of the best things we can do in the classroom is to let their curiosity guide our lesson plans. When we explore topics in which … Read more
The opportunities for learning are endless during the first 5 years of a child’s life. As educators, we are privileged to have a front seat to so many of these opportunities. Think about the activities you do in your program or classroom to foster skill development. What types of skills do you focus on, social … Read more
Most people love spending time with babies. How could you not? Infants are great for snuggles, giggles, and sweet baby talk. But working with infants in a child care setting is so much more than that!
When working in early childhood education, it is inevitable that you will encounter children with challenging behaviors. When dealing with children expressing this type of behavior, it is important for early childhood professionals to feel supported and equipped with knowledge and resources on how to deal with these behaviors.
For most of us, “play” is one of the first things that comes to mind when we think of young children. In the early childhood field, we watch and engage in children’s play daily. But do we really understand the value and importance of play? As educators we are busy observing and assessing, goal-setting, and … Read more
With the holidays approaching, it is the perfect time to talk to children about the importance of showing kindness to others. It is never too early to start having these conversations! We can start by teaching gratitude. Talk to the children about what it means to be “thankful”. Encourage them to share some things for … Read more
One of the most important connections in a child’s life is the relationship between the child’s home and learning environment. Children thrive when there is a reciprocal relationship between parents (or guardians) and educators/caregivers. Like any relationship, this partnership takes effort from both parties, and some relationships will be easier to foster than others.
DELAWARE INSTITUTE FOR
EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
