Early Childhood Village

07/11/2023

Make sure you have a little something to put that flower in because you know they'll give you some clover or a dandelion. Remember: they're giving you the only thing they have to give.

What's the strangest thing a child has every given you?

07/11/2023

Summertime is always much anticipated yet comes with chaos and stress too. Make sure to build in some fun, do some things that are NOT the normal routine, and relax a little. Dirt, sweaty smiles, and sticky messes are part of the summer memories we look back on when the wind is blowing and it's -20 outside.

How are you enjoying the summer days in your program?

04/27/2023

There are some upcoming face-to-face trainings that I'll be doing in Fairmont, MN. If you are in interested, the links are below!

May 16:
Infants and Toddlers: A Relationship-based Approach to Challenging Behaviors - Examining Behaviors (event #394842)
Link: https://app.developtoolmn.org/register.aspx?evid=394842

May 17:
Create a Family-Centered Program: Families and Stress (Event 394846)
Link: https://app.developtoolmn.org/register.aspx?evid=394846 #:~:text=Create%20a%20Family%2DCentered%20Program%3A%20Families%20and%20Stress

Let me know if you have any questions!

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02/15/2023

Serve & return is a great way to foster relationships, communication, and language development.

As children develop the number of serves and returns increases. It is important to notice when a child initiates communication. This can be a gesture, babbling, or talking. As you return the communication, use labels and descriptive language. Allow time for the child to respond and continue with the serve and return until the child shows they have finished. Honor that ending. Allowing conversations to begin and end as the child sees fit, will encourage more communication later.

These intentional experiences will also help us notice a child's needs, interests, and abilities.

02/14/2023

Of the many ways to support language development, here are a few basic ones. These fit into any day at any time. Really, consistent small steps add up in big ways!

I always love a good conversation in the kitchen at mealtimes. Children surprise you with what they want to talk about with their mouth full of food.

When is your favorite time to stop and talk with children during the day?

02/14/2023

Ever noticed how much we talk to children? Asking questions, making comments and observations, giving directions, talking and more talking... A lot of it is unnecessary. When we are concentrating on our activities we don't welcome interruptions by people who happen to walk by, so why do we feel compelled to comment on all the things children are doing?

Talking with children supports language development, yes. However let's not be afraid of silence either. Let's get comfortable standing back and letting children fully embrace their activities, knowing they will show us when they need or want us.

Do you find yourself thinking you need to always add to the children's play or do you tend to hang back and observe too?

02/12/2023

Check it out! It’ll be a good day!

‼️ 𝙰𝚃𝚃𝙴𝙽𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽 𝙴𝙰𝚁𝙻𝚈 𝙲𝙷𝙸𝙻𝙳𝙷𝙾𝙾𝙳 𝙴𝙳𝚄𝙲𝙰𝚃𝙾𝚁𝚂 ‼️

Please join us for a Super Saturday; you can sign up for one or both courses!

https://app.developtoolmn.org/v7/trainings/search/(slider-new:400059/detail)

https://app.developtoolmn.org/v7/trainings/search/(slider-new:399944/detail)

02/10/2023

Winter is going to be winding down and I’m excited to get back to more face-to-face training. I’m excited to present two breakout sessions on the Friday of the Early Childhood Educators Conference at Concordia, St. Paul on March 3 & 4!

Check it out here:

https://www.mnsdistrict.org/2023-ecc?fbclid=IwAR2vxjdPwE1oFuayaMs8u9Q28yjYR7jNTeNNd_POJIjyeqhwFlO8WKD13oE&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Celebrate your unique gifts and the critical role you have in shaping our next generation. Gain methods to crush the obstacles causing you stress, increase your “joy factor,” and feel inspired in your critical work.

02/10/2023

Looking for training?? If you’re near St. Cloud the end of the month I’ve got two I’m presenting on Saturday the 25th. Registration is open for another week. If you’ve got questions, let me know! Play or tax prep, I’ve got it covered.

01/11/2023

It's easy to get caught up in the idea that we need a lot of things specific to dramatic play and setting up a dramatic play theme or center. I'm here to say it isn't necessary.

The main thing children need to support their dramatic play is adults who allow the make-believe to unfold, who encourage some silliness, and who allow the messiness of negotiations while children hammer out the details of their play.

Fancy costumes and puppets and kitchen sets are fine! But so are a basket of bandanas or scarves, some random kitchen items, and a homemade puppet with marker-drawn eyes.

Don't get hung up on what isn't in your program right now and make the most of what is there!

01/10/2023

Being able to see the development in a child's play and share that with families, helps everyone accept dramatic play as a valuable part of a child's day.

01/09/2023

Like it or not, children constantly find ways to "play pretend." Dramatic play is playing out every time a child hands you a block as a phone or tells you to call him Timmy when his name is Ethan.

Dramatic play is how children make sense of the world, how they explore other's perspectives, and a safe space to problem solve.

You may not be adding a dramatic play center into your program or home but I guarantee that dramatic play is happening all around you.