With the beginning of the new school year right around the corner, many new and veteran teachers are wondering about their new students. I remember lying awake at night thinking about how I was going to set up my classroom, change my classroom management, and wondering what the new families would be like and what they would bring to my classroom. I knew it was always about the children and what was best for them...

As proven in research, we know that the first five years of life are crucial times for a child’s learning and development. All children deserve a quality education, but before education comes, there are certain things they need from the family and community that surround them. Here are five ideas that are crucial from birth until the age of 5:

1. Prenatal care (doctor's appointments,...

A couple of years ago, I wrote an article about the extinction of play in terms of what everyone considers play and how play has changed over time. As early childhood professionals, we know and understand that play is a child’s vehicle to learning and exploring. It is imperative to understand how the role of play contributes to a child’s development. 

Child-initiated play is becoming less valued and even...

What kind of teacher are you?

Would you like to be better at what you do?

As a teacher self-reflection is vital. 

Are you at a point where you want to change or can change?

Do you self-reflect and continually change?

What qualities do you possess that make you the kind of teacher you would want your child to have, or your grandchildren to have? 

As I taught, I would...