ECE Solutionary Membership Resources for Month 12
This month, I've hand-picked solutions from the categories of the power of play, professional development, self-regulation, inclusion, and mindfulness. Each solution is provided to help you go deeper into the "how" behind helping children thrive in school and in life.
Click here to download this month's at-a-glance handout
As always, each solution includes a brief description and hyperlink to a PDF, YouTube video, blog post, podcast, and/or website. For those who end up feeling like the solution was TL;DR (too long; didn't read), I provide an at-a-glance tip you can put into action immediately. Each tip is signified by a purple hashtag (#prektip).
Self-Regulation Solutions
This interactive handout provides tools to reframe how we approach and address challenging behaviors. - written by Barbara Avila and me
Want even more? This video explains what Barbara Avila and I thought were the takeaways from our session at DEC 2017.
#prektip: No matter your strengths or struggles, you are capable! (click here to tweet this!)
This blog explains the importance of curiosity in the classroom and provides tips for fostering curiosity to you. - written by Barbara Avila and me
#prektip: When a child feels safe, secure, and soothes by you, the have the capacity to be curious to you. (click here to tweet this!)
Professional Development Solutions
This article expands the use of curiosity, learning mindset, hands-on experiences, and reflection beyond students and on to teachers. A new method of coaching is discussed and how it worked in one school to help teachers change their mindsets. - written by Katrina Schwartz
#prektip: Coaching should stimulate curiosity and encourage teachers to try new things! (click here to tweet this!)
In this blog I discuss how to use situational awareness and eco-maps to examine the strengths and weaknesses of our professional development networks. - written by me
Want even more? Complete this eco-mapping activity with your team to discover new directions for your goals!
#prektip: Influences are all around us - co-workers, culture, family, etc. When’s the last time you thought about how yours affect your goals? (click here to tweet this!)
Power of Play Solutions
This webinar teaches strategies to become a stronger play partner to increase our children’s learning through “playful” methods. - webinar by me
Want even more? Check out this resource sheet and summary video for additional resources and tips to grow your playful teaching!
#prektip: Play is the critical way we all begin to learn and develop! (click here to tweet this!)
This blog discusses the pros and cons of “loose parts” play. Kids often prefer sticks and rocks to fancy toys - so how can we adapt? - written by Tom Hobson
#prektip: Our world is filled with “loose parts” and kids know exactly what to do with them! (click here to tweet this!)
Inclusion Solutions
Part one of this three-part blog presents six recommendations for conversations with young children regarding social justice and equity inspired by conversations a father had with his six-year-old daughter. - written by Dr. Andrew Goff
#prektip: The more relationships people have, the less interested they will be in building walls. (click here to tweet this!)
Part two of this three-part blog offers strategies to embrace social justice and equity with children and encourages adults to grow as advocates and “stay woke.” - written by Dr. Andrew Goff
#prektip: Look for ways to incorporate diversity into your everyday life - through books, tv, movies, experiences, etc. (click here to tweet this!)
The third and final part of this blog offers resources to guide early childhood educators who are aware of the injustice and inequity that hides in their classrooms. - written by Dr. Andrew Goff
#prektip: Our classrooms are full of diversity, waiting to be embraced and explored. (click here to tweet this!)
This video provides six questions families should ask professionals working with their child. As professionals, it also challenges us to think about our answers and provide parents with this information before they ask. - created by Barbara Avila
Want even more? Check out this blog to learn more about navigating communication between home and school.
#prektip: Every child deserves consistency between home and school! Parent-professional relationships are crucial to everyone’s success. (click here to tweet this!)
Mindfulness Solutions
These teaching aids provide guiding questions and more for each of Andrew Newman’s Conscious Bedtime Stories. They also support children’s learning and curiosity! - created by Andrew Newman, Mayra Porrata, and me
Want even more? Bring the stories to life with these coloring sheets for each story.
#prektip: Interacting through storytime encourages vocabulary, curiosity, and independence in children. (click here to tweet this!)