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Hey Reader! First…would you pause and pray for us? We are headed to Georgetown today to setup for our Central State Conference tomorrow and Friday! Thank you! Now…let’s get into some brain science! Have you ever tried to reason with a three-year-old who is having a melt-down? How did that go for you? Probably not well! There is some amazing brain research that actually helps us explain why that is and what we can do instead! First, let’s talk about the fact that we have “upstairs brain”,…

Hey Reader! As an adult with a type A personality who is very performance and productivity-driven, I actually have to be intentional about bringing some playful fun into my life! Can you relate to that? Many of us live such busy lives that we have forgotten what “play” for adults actually looks like. If I asked you “What would you like to do for fun?” many of you would reply “nothing” or “sleep” or “rest” or “take a nap”. At least that’s been my experience when I’ve talked about this topic to…

Hey Reader! Splish, Splash! It’s the perfect time of year to add in a little water play to your plans for the day/week/month! Whether you’re at home with young children or still in the classroom this summer, let’s explore a couple of fun ways to add water play to your day – and, as always, let’s explore what children are actually learning from these FUN, open-ended activities. **Obviously, NEVER allow young children to participate in water play without supervision. Young children can drown in…

Hey Reader! Today I just want to acknowledge the hard work that you do every day as an early educator. You serve in so many roles each day that there is no degree or training class that could prepare and equip you for what you are responsible for each day! You carry a lot of weight, a lot of responsibility, a lot of burden. On most days, you might find yourself as A teacher – I mean, I hope that you’re teaching these littles something! A coach – you’re coaching them along to better language,…

Hey Reader! In a recent podcast interview with Stacy Benge, we had a great conversation around the focus on school readiness for parents, legislators and even many early childhood teachers. Listen HERE for the full conversation. I want to share briefly about one comment she made at the very beginning of the episode that just keeps rolling around in my mind. “If we change our mindset from asking ‘What do I need to teach children to get ready?’, but instead ask ‘What needs to be developed for…

Hey Reader! Are parents asking you what they can do to ensure their children are “ready” for school after a summer break? Here are just a few ideas that will promote life skills and strong social skills that will ensure success when children come back to school this fall! Wanna share this with the parents in your school? Send them THIS link! (Don’t worry, we won’t add them to any mailing list!) Read WITH young children as often as you can. The time that young children spend in their parent’s…

Hey Reader! Summer is often a time that is a little more easy-going than the school year in our classrooms (or at home)! Let’s take a quick look into how we can support building some independence in our preschoolers during these summer months. Why does cultivating independence even matter? Well…you are nurturing their confidence, problem-solving abilities, and sense of responsibility. Isn’t that what we want our children to develop? Here are some practical strategies to help along the way: 1….

Hey Reader! When was the last time you sat on the floor in your classroom and looked around? This was the advice Dr. Mimi Larson gave as we talked in a recent podcast conversation about the importance of creating an intentional early childhood space for children to flourish. Many of you are in a church building sharing classroom spaces and you may not have as much autonomy as you’d like. Something that really struck me about our conversation is when she talked about the explicit environment…

Hey Reader! For many of you, the school year is winding down and you’re looking forward to a little break. For some of you, the end of the school year just means the beginning of a summer program! At ECCN, we recognize that you pour out a lot of energy, love, and time for your students and their families. It’s also important for us to remember a fundamental truth: caring for yourself is a vital part of caring for others. In the hustle and bustle of tending to the needs of children, it’s easy…

Hey Reader! Playdough is an amazing tool that can be used with almost all ages of young children to teach a variety of skills and benefit in development. I had a fun conversation with Sarah Scrivens recently about all the great ways we can use playdough to meet learning goals in every age group. Listen in HERE. Fine Motor Skills – as children squeeze, pull, pat, roll, push, poke, and pinch playdough, they are building all of the muscles and joints in their fingers, hands, wrists, forearms,…