You want to provide the best early childhood experience for children and their parents. But you don’t have easy access to high-quality training. We provide you with relevant, research-based, and Biblically-sound training and on-demand courses so that you and your staff can confidently care for and teach young children.
What a scratchy shirt taught me about preschoolers…
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Hey Reader! I recently wore a shirt that felt uncomfortable all day. I kept feeling something scratch my side right above my waistband. All day, I tugged, adjusted, pulled, leaned…I could not figure out what was scratching me! Eventually, late in the afternoon, I finally found a tiny splinter that had gotten caught in the fabric of my t-shirt. Every time I moved, it gently scratched me. Has that ever happened to you? Because of my shirt, I was dysregulated all day. My brain was so busy trying to figure out how to remove the discomfort that I couldn’t concentrate on what I needed to get done. Sometimes, the children in our classrooms experience a similar sensory processing challenge. “Something” just isn’t right, and they may be grumpy, fidgety, distracted, or moody. So what can we do? 3 Ways to Support Children with Sensory Challenges
Remember…we’re not trying to remove every sensory challenge. Children build tolerance by experiencing and processing discomfort. But children need our support (and grace) to do that. Sensory processing is hard work for little brains. When we notice, adjust, and stay calm, we help children feel safe enough to focus on learning, exploring, and developing stronger skills to process their environment.. Listen in to my conversation with Kadie Seweryn about Sensory Processing difficulties HERE. Cheering you on this week! -Your ECCN team P.S. If you don't want to receive these weekly emails anymore, no hard feelings. Click HERE to be removed from this list. (You'll still receive other emails from us based on past preferences.)
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Early Childhood Christian Network
You want to provide the best early childhood experience for children and their parents. But you don’t have easy access to high-quality training. We provide you with relevant, research-based, and Biblically-sound training and on-demand courses so that you and your staff can confidently care for and teach young children.
Hey Reader! Another tantrum? Another fit? Another meltdown? Ugh. What now? Prevention is always best: strong relationships, routines, and rhythms. But when meltdowns happen, try these 4 in-the-moment strategies: 1. Stay calm + carry on. Regulate yourself first. Kids’ upset triggers ours—your calm helps theirs. 2. Go low + slow. Get on their eye level. Slow your body. Slow your voice. 3. Feel the beat. The brain craves rhythm. Gentle rocking, tapping, or humming helps reset. 4. Take a break....
Hey Reader! I remember my Sunday School teacher telling the story of Noah building the ark with a flannel board! As she told the story, we were allowed to add the boat, the animals, and Noah’s family. I remember moving the animals from the ark back out onto land at the end and then adding in the rainbow as a symbol of God’s faithfulness! Flannel boards aren’t just “old school.” They’re one of the simplest, most powerful tools you can use in early childhood classrooms. What’s a flannel board?...
Hey Reader! When was the last time you pulled out a puppet in your classroom? Whether it’s a sock puppet, a set of finger puppets or a full-fledged hand-puppet, they can be a great tool in your toolbelt for helping children learn in so many ways. Why Puppets Work Puppets capture children’s attention in ways teachers don’t. They create a playful, low-pressure way for children to engage, which is especially helpful at the beginning of the year when trust and comfort are still being built....