Hey Reader! As early childhood educators, we often notice things before anyone else does. Have you noticed child is struggling to remember something you’ve practiced again and again. Maybe you notice that a child who once used several words is using fewer. Maybe following directions, communicating, joining the group, or managing everyday activities seems unusually difficult. What do you do when you begin to wonder if a child needs some extra support? You don’t have to diagnose the problem. In...
7 days ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader! Arguably one of the most important things you can do in your early childhood classroom is build a strong connection with each child—and help children learn how to connect with one another. Before children can fully engage in learning, they need to know that they are safe, valued, and cared for. Here are a few simple ways to build those connections at every age: Infants & Toddlers 1. Respond to their needs. When a baby cries, pick them up. When they're hungry, feed them. When...
14 days ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader! If you are a parent or early childhood educator, you have likely felt the screen-time squeeze. On one side, we hear that technology is the future, and we must prepare our kids for a digital world. On the other, we are warned that too much screen time can delay language development, cause sleep disruptions, and impact social-emotional growth. It feels like a zero-sum game: hand over the iPad and worry about their development, or banish technology entirely and worry they’ll fall...
21 days ago • 4 min read
Hey Reader! Have you ever watched a child carry blocks around the classroom and wondered, "Aren’t blocks for building? What is going on here?" Well…block play develops in stages, and every stage is an important part of learning (even the “carrying around” stage)! Knowing what to expect can help us provide the right materials, encouragement, and time for children to grow as builders. 1. Discover, Explore & Carry Children carry, touch, stack, and investigate blocks – sometime even with their...
28 days ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader! Young children learn best by moving and grooving! Early childhood educators recognize this quickly. When we try to make them sit still…well, it’s usually frustrating for us AND for them. Children’s physical development generally progresses from head to toe and from the center of the body outward. Think about it: • Babies learn how to hold up their heads well before they can sit up and walk. • They learn to walk well before they can hold a pencil properly. To support these...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader! A new school year brings fresh faces, new routines, and endless opportunities to make a difference in the lives of young children. It also brings long days, overflowing to-do lists, and the temptation to put everyone else's needs ahead of your own. As teachers, we're natural caregivers. We comfort crying children, encourage worried parents, support teammates, and solve problems all day long. But here's an important reminder: Taking care of yourself isn't selfish—it's good...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader! One of the beautiful things about spiritual formation in early childhood is that it happens through repetition, relationships, and routines—not just formal Bible lessons and chapel. Here are two practical, developmentally appropriate ideas for each age group: INFANTS (0-12 months) Blessing Time – As you rock, feed, or soothe a baby, quietly pray over them: "God, thank You for Emma. Help her grow strong and know You love her." Gentle repetition builds an atmosphere of love and...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader! As a new school year begins, it's the perfect time to focus on one of the most important parts of your classroom—not your lesson plans or classroom décor, but your relationships with families. For many children, you'll spend as many waking hours with them as their parents do. That's why it's so important to build a true partnership from the very beginning. Take time to learn about each family. Ask about siblings, grandparents, pets, favorite activities, family traditions, or...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader! The first few weeks of school are some of the most stressful (I mean, who can blame those littles for crying a little in such a “strange” place!) and also some of the most critical in setting the trajectory of your year. We often want to jump quickly into curriculum and “teaching”. Afterall, we’ve got 26 letters to teach and about 500 great ideas for crafts, math games and read-alouds ready to go! Stop for a moment and take a breath. We’re giving you permission (actually, we’re...
2 months ago • 2 min read
