Best Practice « Growing Children

Oktoberfest in Preschool?

Posted on February 22, 2012 by 4cforchildren

In a response to a recent local news story, many radio stations and media outlets this weekend hotly debated whether or not it is appropriate for preschoolers to drink out of miniature plastic beer steins. As I listened to the extremes of children becoming alcoholics to parents sucking all of the fun out of life, [...]

Filed under: Best Practice, Directors & Administrators, Early Childhood, Preschool | Tagged: children, early childhood education, early learning, lesson planning, preschool, social and emotional development, teachers, teaching | 2 Comments »

Teacher Love

Posted on February 14, 2012 by 4cforchildren

We have all heard of and maybe even experienced “Puppy Love” and can certainly understand and appreciate the love we have for our family and friends, but have you ever thought about what I fondly refer to as “Teacher Love”? I was volunteering in my daughter’s gym class the other day. Her teacher was braving [...]

Filed under: Best Practice, Parents | Tagged: children, education, teachers | 4 Comments »

Hearts on Their Sleeves

Posted on February 10, 2012 by 4cforchildren

In a recent conversation with a child care provider, she asked me my thoughts on taking off a child’s shirt if he or she is eating a messy food, like spaghetti. Many parents don’t like when their child comes home with a messy shirt, and many child care providers naturally want to keep parents as [...]

Filed under: Advocating for Children, Best Practice, Early Childhood, Infants and Toddlers, Parents | Tagged: children, early childhood, families, infants, parents, teachers, toddlers | 1 Comment »

Replacing ‘Fine Whines’ With Something Better

Posted on January 23, 2012 by 4cforchildren

In addition to having worked in a child care program, I am a mother of three and have heard my fair share of whining. My daughter, my youngest and shipped off to college this past year, has yet to let me down. I have heard about college food, roommates, walking in bad weather, professors and [...]

Filed under: Best Practice, Early Childhood | Tagged: children, early childhood education, kids, parents, preschool, teachers, whining | Leave a Comment »

Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

Posted on December 19, 2011 by 4cforchildren

There’s a snappy tune by Kool and the Gang called Celebration. It goes like this, “there’s a party going on right here, a celebration to last throughout the years. So bring your good times and your laughter too…” Sound familiar? You may remember busting a move to this tune on the dance floor at a [...]

Filed under: Best Practice, Directors & Administrators | Tagged: early childhood, educations, family, teachers | 2 Comments »

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Posted on December 8, 2011 by 4cforchildren

Does it feel to you like it’s been raining for 3 months? Are the children in your program ready to climb the walls? Are you ready to climb the walls, too? When it’s a little wet outside or sprinkling, we should go outside anyway, if only for five minutes. But when we can’t, everyone can [...]

Filed under: Best Practice, Early Childhood | Tagged: child care, children, early childhood education, preschool, teachers | Leave a Comment »

What We Learn When We Disagree

Posted on November 17, 2011 by 4cforchildren

I love being a professional in the field of Early Childhood Education. One of the best things about my position at 4C for Children is that I always have the opportunity to learn. There are conferences and newsletters, blogs and instructors with knowledge to share. I truly enjoy the chance to sit down and listen [...]

Filed under: Best Practice, Directors & Administrators, Early Childhood, Professional Development, Step Up To Quality | Tagged: preschool, professional development, teachers, teaching | 2 Comments »

Now and Forever

Posted on October 26, 2011 by 4cforchildren

I heard a story recently of an elementary school gym teacher responding to a child with asthma’s performance in class that, “Oh, that’s good for a kid with asthma. Usually they don’t do that well.” What if that child had overheard his teacher? What would he think? While the teacher may intend to be positive, [...]

Filed under: Best Practice, Early Childhood, Infants and Toddlers, Preschool | Tagged: children, early childhood education, parents, preschool, social and emotional development, toddlers | Leave a Comment »

Combating Staff Turnover in Early Childhood Education

Posted on October 18, 2011 by 4cforchildren

One of the most frustrating parts of being a center director is the daunting task of keeping qualified staff. Staff will come and go for many reasons, but keeping staff must be a high priority for any center director! Staff turnover can create inconsistency in the quality of care and can be hurtful to children [...]

Filed under: Best Practice, Directors & Administrators, Early Childhood | Tagged: children, early childhood education, preschool, staff turnover, teachers | Leave a Comment »

Leave the Costumes at Home

Posted on October 11, 2011 by 4cforchildren

One year for Halloween, I was required to dress in costume at the center where I was teaching. I didn’t want to scare the children, so I decided to choose a costume I thought would be less intimidating: my husband! I dressed in one of his suits with a tie and hat and penciled in [...]

Filed under: Best Practice, Directors & Administrators, Early Childhood, Infants and Toddlers, Preschool, Professional Development | Tagged: brain development, children, early childhood, halloween, preschool, social and emotional development, teachers | 1 Comment »

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