It's time to examine your dress code and think about the people in our early childhood classrooms. Are the people reflective of the real world that children experience outside the classroom? Are we unintentionally teaching shame or embarrassment about their family or others? Cindy and Alison discuss dress codes, staff, and more!
We talk about high-quality curriculums, environments, and other aspects of early childhood settings, but how do we figure out if the adults are behaving in high-quality ways? Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about the actions that make someone a great professional.
Erik Erikson taught us that young children struggle with initiative vs. guilt. That guilt plays out for a lifetime. Listen to Cindy and Alison discuss some of the nonsense we are raised with and how we can do better for today's children.
As promised during their episode about what they wish families knew, Cindy and Alison discuss what they wish teachers knew about families, children, colleagues, and more! Don't miss this conversation and contribute by sending your wishlist in our contact form at HowPreschoolTeachersDoIt.com or as a message on our Facebook page.
Now that use of technology has become an even bigger part of the lives of young children, what do we do about their screen time? Cindy and Alison discuss the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations and how we might "right-size" the amount of time young children spend looking at screens.
Cindy and Alison share their top 3 lists of what they wish parents knew about young children. Share yours with us at HowPreschoolTeachersDoIt.com and on our Facebook page!
Why do children lie and what should we do about it? Cindy and Alison discuss children and lies - a topic that pushes many buttons for adults.
In today's diverse and interconnected world, it is important to think about our approach to acknowledging holidays in early childhood settings. Join Alison and Cindy for a discussion about our focus when teaching about holidays.
What is the connection between repetition, learning, and truth? Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about the impact of repetition on learning and how children understand the world.
Why is it important for early childhood rooms to include the choice of dramatic play every day? Listen to learn the role dramatic play holds in the development of young children.
Humans have a natural tendency to make assumptions. Sometimes, those assumptions unintentionally put the achievements of families on their children. Listen and consider if you encourage children to grow into their own footsteps.
For too many generations, children were recipients rather than participants. Join Alison and Cindy for a lively conversation about the fact that education shouldn't be done to children.
Have you had to have a tough conversation with a teacher or family and dreaded it? No one likes uncomfortable, difficult conversations, but they cannot always be avoided. Cindy and Alison discuss how to have those tough discussions.
What should we do about the children who want to play in the same classroom interest area all the time? What should happen when the child always heads toward and stays in blocks, dramatic play, or any other area? Alison and Cindy discuss the kid who chooses, stays, and plays with the same toys all the time.
Do you feel like you set goals and have trouble accomplishing them? Get a good start at the beginning of this school year. Cindy and Alison discuss goal setting for you and the children in your lives.
Are our approaches to read alouds actually supporting the foundational skills for reading comprehension? Maybe not. Cindy and Alison discuss how to reinvigorate and focus your read alouds with young children.
Cindy and Alison discuss the "Catch-22" situation many early childhood programs find themselves in. You are not alone!
We thought social-emotional and self-help skills would be the most greatly impacted. Current studies show that's just the tip of the iceberg. Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted more domains of learning.
Show and tell has been an early childhood staple in classrooms everywhere. Can it be done in a more developmentally appropriate way? Join Alison and Cindy as they discuss the traditional and less traditional ways we can offer children a chance to share with the class.
When children have a talent, how much pressure is put on them to continue to excel? Are we paying attention to signs of anxiety and people-pleasing? Cindy and Alison discuss our interactions with children who stand out because of their abilities.
Are families responsible for their children's behavior when they are not there? When does a family's responsible come into play? Consider this blame or not to blame question with Alison and Cindy.
Emotions can be contagious. Why does everyone start crying when one child cries and what should we do about that? Cindy and Alison discuss this topic and introduce a new feature of the podcast - The Feedback Five. Don't miss it!
What does a child being brave look like? Or maybe we should ask - What doesn't it look like? Join Alison and Cindy for a conversation about the messages we may be giving to children without even realizing we have it backward!
Is the fear of mistakes and failure stopping all progress in your early childhood setting or home? Cindy and Alison discuss why that happens and how to start moving past it.
If crafts are not evidence of learning, then what is? Prepare to be impressed by what real evidence of children's existing knowledge and new learning looks like!
What is creativity and how does it help young children? Cindy and Alison discuss the many expressive and behavioral benefits when children bring their own ideas into existence.
It's the requested recommendation episode! Cindy and Alison discuss where you can learn reputable information about helping children with challenging behavior, understanding developmentally appropriate practice, and more.
Are we setting up self-fulfilling prophecies that will impact the children for years? Are we unintentionally shifting their view of themselves because of us? Join Alison and Cindy for this lively and important discussion.
We are at a pivotal point in our early education systems where we can decide what the future will be for not only our students but also our educators. Cindy and Alison discuss the need for the same sort of respect for educators as we know we need to give to children. What should that include? How can it be impactful? Listen and let us know how you feel about this discussion.
Do you want to motivate your students, staff, or even your administrators? Cindy and Alison discuss one key to building a motivated environment. It sounds so simple, but how often do you see this happening?
