Community is an invaluable resource that, just like any relationship, needs to be nurtured and takes time to build. When we put time and energy into building meaningful connections, sharing our strengths and kindness–and understanding our own feelings and those of others, the outcomes can have lasting positive effects for generations. We all have periods […]
It’s a new year — a fresh start, a clean slate, and a much-needed reset. Educators and children have returned to school to continue the second half of the school year, making it the perfect time to give classrooms the “new year treatment” and breathe new life into your classroom environments. Why a Classroom […]
Book recommendations & activities are included! Halloween is almost here, which means feelings like excitement, fear, and even disappointment are starting to bubble to the surface for children everywhere. Don’t let their trick-or-treat bags get weighed down by big feelings this year! Dedicate time to helping children explore their emotions so they feel prepared, safe, […]
In my decades of experience working with children and in the early childhood education field, one thing is clear – children love stories. Not only listening to them, reading them, and exploring the pictures on the pages, but the opportunity to share their own stories (and feelings) with anyone who will listen. When it comes […]
I’m thrilled that we’ve released the fifth book in the ECSELent Adventures series, “Franklin’s World Takes a Turn.” Each book in the series addresses topical developmental issues by helping children explore their emotions, relationships, and the world around them. Each book is designed with support to scaffold learning around familiar topics children encounter while also […]
The mind of a child is an amazing thing. During the first three years of life, their brains develop rapidly, creating 1 million new neural connections per second 1. It is during this sensitive period that positive emotionally intelligent experiences lay the foundation for future growth and learning. And what is one of the best ways to […]
As a former English teacher and mother of two young children, I know literacy and storytelling can be powerful tools to support children’s development of emotional intelligence. In this blog, we will go over the importance of Emotional Intelligence and reading, provide tips for promoting emotional intelligence through books, and share some resources to help […]
Kindness is one of the most important skills we can have when it comes to connecting to other human beings. Showing and practicing kindness builds community and spreads care and compassion through helpful, empathetic actions and words. But just like any important skill, kindness needs to be nurtured, cultivated and practiced. This happens best when […]
Today is International Yoga Day – a wonderful opportunity to ground ourselves, move our bodies in intentional ways, and introduce young children to the world of mindfulness. While today may serve as a reminder to be mindful, the best outcomes will come from integrating mindfulness opportunities into children’s everyday routines. Mindfulness is all about focusing […]
As all early childhood educators and families know, children have a lot of big feelings that oftentimes come with even bigger behaviors. What all early childhood educators and families may not know is how to navigate these challenges. We asked parents, caregivers, and educators like you to share what you are experiencing with children in your classrooms and at […]
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and to set the tone for the season and beyond, this blog is going to focus on an important part of our own mental health and well-being and the mental health and well-being of children: emotional regulation. Many children are currently navigating emotional meltdowns, social conflicts, chaotic transitions, and difficulty […]
It’s springtime! A welcome changing of the seasons brings some much-needed sunshine, warmth, and growth all around us. But, if you are an educator, you may be noticing some unwelcome changes in your classroom around this time of year – restlessness, dysregulation, children feeling “over it,” and teachers just trying to get through the day. […]
selIn this blog, you will learn step by step how to teach young children about emotions using storybooks, see recommendations on books about feelings, and be able to download an infographic summarizing how storybooks support children and their emotional intelligence. As caregivers and educators of young children, we are responsible for nurturing their development while guiding them […]
In this article, you will find 5 practical tips with sample language, and actions you can use immediately to teach young children to come to a deeper understanding of gratitude. When the holiday season rolls around, we are often reminded to reflect on what we have and acknowledge what we are most grateful for. But how do we […]
Previously, in Part 1, we’ve discussed: Why it is important to maintain consistency between home and school for children’s social early learning. In Part 2 we’ll see how to provide consistency between home and school for children’s social early learning with practical tips and activity ideas. In the spirit of setting children, families, and educators up for success this holiday season, here […]
In this article, you will find 3 lesson activities you can use immediately to start child-led, process-based learning with your children. Jump to activities. The mind of a child is an incredible thing. They view the world around them through a unique, imaginative lens, full of wonder and excitement. Children are constantly taking in and processing new […]
