ECE Solutionary Membership Resources for Month 23
This month, I've hand-picked solutions from the categories of the the power of play, self-regulation, and professional development. Each solution is provided to help you go deeper into the "how" behind helping children thrive in school and in life.
Instead of an at-a-glance handout this month, check out this members only resource in your library...it's an audio recoding with tips and strategies for picking the "right" assessment. All resources mentioned in the riff are hyperlinked here.
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).
The Power of Play and Self-Regulation Solutions
This blog discusses the prevalent depression and anxiety among young people and how it correlates to children’s play. Schools seem to be trading recess and play for structured activities, but how will this impact our children’s development? - written by Michael J. Hynes
#prektip: “Free play and exploration are, historically, the means by which children learn to solve their own problems, control their own lives, develop their own interests, and become competent in pursuit of their own interests." - Michael J. Hynes (click to tweet!)
This is an infographic about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), how they affect our children, and how we can prevent and repair damage caused by them. It also discusses trauma-informed care and being aware of toxic stress that may be underlying our “willful” children. - created by Harvard University Center on the Developing Child
And be watching for a shift in terms from trauma-informed care to healing centered engagement.
#prektip: No one who’s experienced trauma is irreparably damaged; it is our job to help prevent future harm and counteract past traumas. (click to tweet!)
Professional Development Solutions
Ever dealt with a difficult parent? This blog tackles the part of our job many people forget about - supporting families. Having a relationship with parents is the foundation to advocating for your students. This blog will help you re-frame your thinking and begin building trusting relationships - written by Barb O’Neill
#prektip: “It’s our job as early childhood educators to support families, not vice versa.” - Barb O’Neill (click to tweet!)
This blog discusses the difference between government programs and government policy and how that impacts early childhood education. Early childhood relies on a “program-first approach to public policy” which may be hindering our kids. But what can we do? - written by Joe Waters and Sara Peters
#prektip: We have not yet embraced a national policy that matches the gravity and seriousness of our duties to our nation’s children. (click to tweet!)
This fact sheet outlines the “Fade Out Problem” as well as the “Catch Up Challenge.” While both deal with the relationship between early childhood education and K - 12, which one poses the real problem and how can we fix it?- written by Brittany Fortman
#prektip: Every child deserves high-quality early learning opportunities. (click to tweet!)
