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In this article, you will find important information about how to talk to children about common tough topics, including shootings, death, racism, mental health, illness, divorce, and more. Also find a step-by-step guide with a free PDF printable handout for talking to kids about tough topics, in general, tips on trauma-informed care, and book lists to help guide children to exploring […]
EdSurge recently reported on the negative impact of the past few years on toddlers’ and infants’ mental health. I agree wholeheartedly that much has been reported on older groups of children and teens, but there hasn’t been as much focus on very young children – including infants and preschoolers. As Meghan Schmelzer, senior manager of infant and […]
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 […]
EdWeek recently ran an opinion piece, “What Districts Need When Investing Their Funds.”1 The authors identified multiple areas, such as tutoring, summer learning, and core instruction. They noted toward the end that emotional and mental health supports should be prioritized. As a psychologist with more than 35 years in the field of child development and […]
In this blog, you will learn what is Causal Talk (CT) and Causal Talk in the Emotional Experience (CTEE), how to implement these strategies, and why your own well-being is important to that of the children around you. Did you know that any time you talk with children about their own feelings, the feelings of […]
Every New Year, each of us considers the past year and how we can improve our lives as we head into the new year. Some of the most popular resolutions are exercising more, eating healthier and losing weight. Some resolutions are more about internal work, like finding ways to effectively address issues causing frustration, anxiety, […]
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 two part series, we will explore: Part 1: Why it is important to provide consistency between home and school for children’s emotional learning. Part 2: How to provide consistency between home and school for children’s emotional learning with practical tips and activity ideas. Be sure to subscribe. The days are getting shorter and just as children have finally adjusted […]
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 […]
How does storytelling help children process intense emotions? Loss and death affect us all – regardless of age. However, it can be especially confusing and overwhelming to children who lack the life experience to comprehend the meaning of loss and death, the basic understanding of these complex emotions, and the ability to process these big […]
Over the course of the “Power of Reflective Practice in Early Childhood Education” series, we have shared the stories, reflections, and perspectives of an early childhood educator, a mentor, and a parent about their experiences with self-reflection and Reflective Practice. From these experiences, we have compiled some helpful tips to share with you and guide you as you begin […]
It is back-to-school season, and stuffed inside all those new backpacks and lunchboxes are lots of jitters and emotions, especially as we send off our littlest learners for the very first time. Our so-called “Covid Generation,” children born right before or during the pandemic, are carrying all the usual excitement, worries, and questions; however, they […]
Welcome to the fourth installment in our series about the Power of Reflective Practice. In our previous posts, we explored an early childhood educator’s personal experiences and a mentor’s perspective of the importance of Reflective Practice within the begin to ECSEL program, and how it has impacted their work and life. In this article, we will look at how self-reflection and Reflective […]
What makes for good teaching? And what makes a teacher great? Liz Willen posed those questions in a recent Hechinger newsletter as she highlighted Jill Barshay’s article Proof Points-The Paradox of Good Teaching in which Barshay acknowledged that “deciding what constitutes good teaching is a messy business.” No doubt that it is, but I’m sure we can all […]
Play is a child’s work. ~Dr. Donna Housman Play is the Key to Children’s Socialization, Learning, and Brain Development Happy Summertime! We all wait for this special season to kick-back, relax and spend more time with the children in our lives. To many, it may seem like it’s just one big continuation of what young […]
