In this article, you will find 10 Earth Day Activities, 12 Earth Day Lesson Ideas, and 10 Earth Day Picture Books to instill wonder in young children. Jump to: Earth Day Activity Ideas Earth Day Lesson Ideas Earth Day Book List As we celebrate Earth Day, let’s use this great opportunity to spark and empower […]
It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength. ~Maya Angelou Don’t miss the resource and book list on the bottom of this blog! ⬇️ Why is it important to learn about different types of people? As Black History Month comes to a close, it […]
Children are at the center of our world each and every day. They are our axis – we spin around their needs and focus our energy on what is best for their education, development, sense of security, and well-being. We work to ensure they are safe, fed, supported, learning, and healthy. But are we doing […]
There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.” ~Mr. Rogers Research tells us that acts of kindness release hormones that contribute to your mood and well-being. When you perform an act of kindness, you are not […]
Making new friends is so important- it can be rewarding and exciting, but it can also be scary, prickly, and intimidating. Friendship looks different for everyone – it doesn’t always mean liking the same things, having the same interests in common, or participating in the same kinds of play all the time. Young children, especially, […]
Take a moment and reflect: what is our first response when our child has an angry emotional outburst? Is it to stop the behavior? Or is it to understand what’s behind the anger, help them understand what’s behind the anger, and how to manage it? In a recent article in the Boston Globe Magazine, educator and parent Deborah […]
The beginning of May marks the launch of Mental Health Awareness Month, and I am again reminded of just how much children’s mental health is at the core of the work I do as a begin to ECSEL educator. All of my interactions with and responses to the children I teach comes from a place of sensitivity […]
Children are born ready to learn and it is not only traditional skills that we need to teach from a young age, we also need to foster children’s understanding of their emotions and those of others from the very beginning.1 By reaching children in their earliest years we have the extraordinary opportunity to shape children’s […]
2020 has been quite a rollercoaster for us all! This year has tested the best of us and unfortunately meant great pain for so many while the relentless onslaught of troubling news does not seem to be letting up. With a global pandemic, racial injustice, economic hardships, storms, fires, political unrest, where do we look […]
“Is that your lunch? It looks kind of weird…” “Well, if your favorite color isn’t purple then I don’t want to be your friend.” “Girls can’t play this game, only boys.” “I don’t want to play with you, I only want to play with her. She’s my best friend.” As educators, our first reaction when […]
As educators and parents, we know how important routine is for the children we love and care for, but what about our own? The back-and-forth of school environments in 2020 have caused us all to lose our footing. Our new norm is a revolving door of in-person school, Zoom classes, and remote learning with no […]
A child’s relationship with their pet is a cherished one, filled with constant companionship and lifelong memories. Pets become part of the family – a comforting presence that provides affection, protection, and reassurance in times of need. For children especially, pets bring unconditional love along with the opportunity to share all of their feelings without […]
Self-care describes a conscious act one takes in order to promote one’s own physical, mental, and emotional health. Teachers often shelf self-care. Even more challenging, is that teachers feel the necessity of doing so with the same level of excitement, encouragement, and creativity that they would during normal times to help ease their students’ anxieties. […]
As we approach mid-summer, many parents are anxiously planning for their children’s return to school. Though going back to school presents a small step towards a sense of normalcy and routine, it also gives rise to many legitimate questions about how to protect your child from COVID-19 when they return to class. Many schools are […]
How many times have you found yourself asking how will these times of increased stress, anxiety and uncertainty affect my young students’ mental health? As tensions mount and the instability of the situation intensifies, not only may you be questioning your young students’ well-being but so too may you be questioning your own ability to […]
When circumstances are uncertain and unknown, they naturally create anxiety and stress. When situations are changing significantly and dramatically with schools and businesses closing and social distancing becoming the new norm, fear and anxiety may set in. When our life goes off course as new rules and regulations are being put into effect, robbing us […]
