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.
It is an important time for all of us, as early childhood professionals, to have an understanding of the effects of toxic stress and trauma on young children. We all experience stress throughout our lives. It is important to note that stress is a normal part of life and not all stress is harmful. The … Read more
Oral Language is one of the most important tools in teaching and nurturing children. Think of the many conversations heard around an early childhood space. There are conversations between children, conversations between caregivers and children, toddlers babbling, and providers engaging in the practice of “self-talk” with infants. Most of usworking in the early childhood field … Read more
Incorporating literacy into your day can seem daunting. The good news is that you do not need to have fancy materials to make it happen! Literacy can be taught using materials that are most likely already in your space. If literacy practices are new to you as a provider or teacher, it may be a … Read more
Active supervision is active teaching. It is watching, listening, staying present physically and mentally, interacting, counting, and preventing problems.
DELAWARE INSTITUTE FOR
EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
