Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! This is a space where I will explore issues that impact early childhood education, share thoughts on what I have learned over the years, and (I hope) prompt thoughtful discussion on how early childhood professionals can best meet the needs of children and their families.

I have been working in the field of early education for nearly 30 years now, and have worked in a wide range of settings with children from 6 weeks to 12 years old. I have been a classroom teacher, a camp counselor, a public school substitute, a program coordinator, and one-one support staff for children of varying needs and abilities. All of these positions have offered me an opportunity to learn, grow, and stretch my thinking on the best approaches to caring for and educating young children.

A lot has changed in our field over the past three decades, and some things have, unfortunately, remained the same (the challenges of providing quality care at an affordable price, and the struggle to find good staff when wages in the field remain low, to name a couple). Brain research is far more advanced than it used to be, and we’ve learned a lot about how children develop and grow, as well as appropriate ways of guiding children to help them be successful.

In my role as a trainer and consultant, I have an opportunity to observe many classrooms, talk to a wide range of early childhood professionals, and discover what is working - and what is not working - for teachers, families, and, most importantly, the children.

I have strong opinions that I will share on this blog, formed after many years of direct care, observation, reading and learning. I know that the ideal scenario isn’t always practical in a real life setting, but that won’t stop me from striving for it. I’ve made plenty of mistakes, and I’ve learned from each and every one. Being open to new ideas and new ways of doing things is the only way we grow. I welcome your comments, questions, and healthy debate. I only ask that you keep the conversation respectful. We can all learn from each other that way.

The heart of my personal philosophy is that children learn best when they feel safe, connected, and engaged. Relationships are the cornerstone of a quality early education program. I believe that children can learn all they need to thrive through hands-on, engaging play. All of the important domains of development can be achieved with active learning and intentional teachers. I believe in the power of process art, outdoor exploration, loose parts, risky play, and time spent on social-emotional development. I believe that it isn’t our job to get children “ready for kindergarten,” but rather to get them ready for life!