The act of choosing to create a journal is of great importance. Journaling is where to slow down and create space to think deeply about how you work. Organizing your journal supports the ability to go back and make use of your thinking and reflections.
Read MoreSometimes, we fall into the trap of believing other people are responsible for meeting our needs in the workplace. The care and nurturing of productive relationships start with self.
Read MoreAt its heart, reflective practice helps us shift from feelings of scarcity, the act of not having enough or being enough, to one of abundance, seeing the richness and depth of early childhood education.
Read MoreThe gift of being fully present is something that goes beyond personal gains, it stretches out to the children, students, colleagues, and family. When we are fully present, the people in our life feel heard and valued.
Read MoreAs early childhood professionals, we change programs and roles many times in our careers. When we decide to make a change, how do we find a program or role that fits our key values as a person and educator?
Read MoreAn important part of our work with children is examining our practice. Examining our practice helps us keep our work fresh. To provide quality care, educators need to take time and re-imagine our work in the classroom. There are three practices we can embrace at the beginning of the new year to help us re-imagine our work with children.
Read MoreOn a recent bike adventure, I had time to consider how our work with children is a collection of moments where we arrive at a fork in the road. The path we choose determines our growth and the possibilities for our learning community.
Read MoreOur childhood play stories have a connection to the work we do as educators. In our Rights of the Child Workshop we ask participants to share their play stories. What did we learn about this practice? How does this practice enhance our work as educators?
Read MoreOur words, thoughts, and actions are an outward demonstration of our values. As educators, we are members of the community that are seen and heard, so our choices of how we share our values reflect what we want to see in the world.
Read MoreTeaching is a lifelong process of challenges and discovery. Having other educators to collaborate with and learn from makes the journey of understanding our practice more insightful and enjoyable.
Read MoreOur skill in work is defined by our degree of understanding, how we take a certain knowledge base and craft ideas or solutions that match the situation we are in. The key is collecting continuing knowledge in our field and then applying that knowledge as necessary to move forward.
Read MoreIn early childhood education, we work in an environment of emotional labor. An environment that is always stimulating and busy with many demands on our emotions and energy. Educators rarely have a time when we are removed from demands on our attention. One solution to this condition is to take a break from our busyness and practice being in solitude.
Read MoreAs a new school year begins. The learning community is forming and part of the work for educators is self-examination. Now is a wonderful time to look where our journey as an educator has traveled and where it is going.
Read MoreWhat does it mean to have a calling? Do we need to have a calling? In search of clearer understanding I discovered one idea that made the most sense.
Read MoreI read a quote that said the two most important days in a life is when you are born and when you find your calling. Too often we are looking for permission. We find something we love and are passionate about. We share it with others looking for a seal of approval.
Read MoreWorking with children is a complex practice with choices that need to be made every day. What is an effective process for making choices?
Read MoreEarly childhood educators change positions multiple times during our working career. In addition to turnover, many more educators move between programs. A large percentage of the field finds themselves in new classrooms or new schools each year. All the transitions to new classrooms/schools require early childhood educators to establish new classroom cultures.
Read MoreThe establishment of all child development philosophies has a purpose. The purpose is to help children, serve families, and build community. As early childhood educators, we have an opportunity to give back. Sometimes our mission is compromised trying to protect our own philosophy.
Read MoreThe search for meaning, our motivations and our actions is always connected to “The Why”. The “What” we do is easy to define, but “The Why” we do our work is where we find our true purpose, Jack represents “The Why” for me. Who is Jack?
Read MoreOur field is on a journey to becoming a profession and the road ahead is a bumpy ever-changing one. Early childhood education and the current journey to professionalism requires educators to work together to raise all ships by advocating for a professional pathway and a salary that compensates those willing to take the path.
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