How Preschool Teachers Do It

Most early educators and families know that positive guidance helps children learn about rules, boundaries, and expectations. Do you know the characteristics of positive approaches for teaching children about behavior? Cindy and Alison discuss the essential elements of a positive approach that supports children and teaches them how to use their power in productive ways.

It's the time of year when families plan their vacations. Let's encourage them to document vacations so their children can share their adventures with teachers and classmates! In this episode of the podcast, Cindy and Alison talk about several ways families can share their vacations with us in early childhood programs.

There is so much young children can learn from being in nature and exploring all it offers. Luckily, nature can be found in every environment. Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about nature activities in cities, the suburbs, and rural areas.

The biter, the hitter, the runner, the climber...Why do some adults continue to label children this way? Would you do that to an adult? Join Cindy and Alison for a reflection on why this happens and what we can do.

Whenever you gather children for a large group experience, consider focusing the lesson moral development. In this episode, Cindy and Alison discuss what is included in moral development and how we can focus on that during class meetings, read-alouds, and more.

Have you seen the viral spirit tunnel videos from the  @JenniferHudsonShow  ? What a great way to prepare her guests for a great interview... and for us to welcome young children as they arrive at their early childhood program! Join Cindy and Alison to consider how you might add this motivational, fun, and engaging moment to your days.

Some populations are underrepresented in special education classes, and others are overrepresented. Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about being more aware of what impacts who tends to be referred more often and not often enough.

Do you have children who paint themselves instead of the paper? Do you remember covering your hand with @ElmersGlue and peeling it off? Join Cindy and Alison to learn why children do this and other actions that cover their skin and bodies.

What is a brave space, and why can that change how we perceive our early childhood settings? How can it help children meet the challenge of trying new things? Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about changing the focus of the sort of spaces we set up for young children.

Adults often think of recess or outdoor time as a fun time for all children. Some children, however, find the outdoor, free-play, slightly chaotic environment stressful. In this episode, Cindy and Alison discuss the causes of that stress and how we can reduce it.

Has a family ever asked you to stop other families from allowing their children to watch particular TV shows? Has a parent ever asked you to tell other families to stop dressing their children in clothes that depict characters from video games or shows? This sort of request seems to be happening more often. Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about helping families understand that we cannot ask others to change their practices to match someone else.

Secure, nurturing attachments are essential from the time children are infants and as they get older. In this episode, Cindy and Alison talk about the importance of children learning trust instead of fear and how you can make that happen.NOTE: This episode may evoke strong feelings. Though the episode does not focus on extreme situations, we encourage you to take care of yourself. If the episode is upsetting to you, please know you can walk away and come back next week for a new topic.

Have you ever thought about the fact that most early childhood teaching topics are nouns? Join Cindy and Alison as they discuss how using verbs for teaching topics opens up more possibilities for the curiosity and exploration of young children.

Being good with your own company or solitude is beneficial to everyone, including young children. Some children want the spotlight and others do not. Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about the children who stand out by not being in the spotlight.

It can be challenging to set screen time limits, but it is worth it! Cindy and Alison talk about the life lessons that come from teaching children that they have the power to limit their actions.

Family Child Care providers are early educators! Join Cindy and Alison to learn more about these nurturing home settings and what a quality family child care environment values and provides for children and families.

In prior generations, many children were taught to hide their feelings. We aren't going to do that anymore! In this episode, Cindy and Alison talk about the hows and whys of granting permission and making room for children's many emotions, from joy to anger to sadness.

Picture books and naming objects is important for teaching vocabulary, but there is so much more we can do when we read aloud with infants and toddlers. Join Cindy and Alison to learn more about reading with our youngest children.

When children are upset or in need in any way, we should avoid assuming how we can help. Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about assuming nothing and getting children used to thinking about and expressing their own needs.

Today's children don't see coins, paper money, stamps, and other items or experiences that were part of our childhoods. Everyone is swiping, tapping, and hitting send instead. Even learning to use cursive writing is still being debated. Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about if it is valuable to still teach about these disappearing items and actions.

Sharing and taking turns are two different actions, and one comes before the other. Join Cindy and Alison to examine these skills and ensure you are talking with children about what they are actually doing - sharing or taking turns.

Think about how you played as a child. Do you see connections to who you are today? For some people, it may be obvious. For others, it may not be as apparent. Join Cindy and Alison to learn more about the predictive nature of play.

Is it wise to tell children not to say no to teachers or families? For generations, saying no to adults was seen as disrespectful. Cindy and Alison discuss the generational belief that children should not say no to adults and the potential consequences of that practice.

Doll play may be more symbolic than you think! Cindy and Alison discuss how children use playing with dolls to figure out not only others but also themselves.

Children benefit from visuals of all types, and making connections between ideas is no different. Using paper in the shape of hexagons, we can make a visual representation of how their ideas connect. We might even discover connections in their conversations we hadn't considered before! Join Cindy and Alison for this lively conversation about hexagonal thinking.

Nursery rhymes are fun for children to learn and have life lessons that we can introduce to children. Cindy and Alison have a great time reciting nursery rhymes and discovering the messages they teach. You will never look at some nursery rhymes the same way again!

When we talk with children about their behavior, it is important to remember that different families and cultures may have their own values, priorities, and ways they teach respect. Join Cindy and Alison as they consider differences between how cultures treat eye contact, use tone of voice, and more.

If we use morning large group time to allow children to plan their time during free play, will they build more skills and allow us to better understand their creative thinking? Cindy and Alison discuss the benefits of children planning their time and how we can facilitate that.

Provocations challenge children to explore their interests in a deeper, meaningful, and self-directed way. Join Cindy and Alison to learn the difference between offering provocations and giving instructions and to get some ideas for providing provocations in your setting.

You don't need a kitchen to cook with young children. Cooking activities should be done with early learners all the time! They build many skills, and it has great value; yet, people are hesitant to facilitate the experiences. Join Cindy and Alison to learn how this can be possible with all children, including those with allergies.

Sibling rivalry is common and part of typical development for many children. Join Cindy and Alison to learn one of the main reasons for sibling rivalry (and it isn't always attention!).

There are reasons why early childhood staff members may be attending training with different facilitators or on different days. The same is true for families who watch information about raising children. Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about what to do because separate trainings aren't always equal.

Cindy and Alison discuss the inspiration behind the episodes in the podcast and how that can remind us all of the amazing early childhood education and parenting environment. Join them for a fun look back and a look forward!

There is evidence that children are not reading and not enjoying reading as much as in the past. You may think this is due to technology, not it is not! Join Cindy and Alison as they discuss how to bring back joy for reading starting at the youngest age groups.

It can be challenging to shift our mindsets from relying on our experience with young children to relying on research-based standards and objectives. Cindy and Alison discuss why using research-based standards and objectives matters and how it can change our understandings of each child's development.

Should schools and early childhood programs have requirements for families that can limit their involvement in their children's early education experience? Cindy and Alison discuss our ethics and the restrictions that exist in some early childhood settings.

No one loves initials or acronyms more that people who work in early childhood education. CITE, NAEYC, ABC, LRE, and a whole list of others can confuse teachers and families. Join Cindy and Alison to learn some of the most commonly used abbreviations and acronyms in the world of early education.

For generations, adults thought ignoring behaviors was the way to teach children and change their behavior. That might work in the short term, but what does ignoring do to the lasting psyche? Join Cindy and Alison to discuss what we know today about the impact of ignoring.

"Sensory" is a hot and sometimes misused word when products are marketed to families and early childhood programs. Join Cindy and Alison as they discuss experiences that are truly multi-sensory...and those that really are not.

Dress Up and Spirit Days can be stressful for everyone involved. There has to be a better way to have community-building events! Join Cindy and Alison for a spirited discussion of Spirit and Dress Up Days as they consider the challenges they pose, especially for families, and what else we might consider doing.

Is your early childhood program trying to force families to attend events and meetings in person? Is this responsive to the needs of families? Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about lessons lost and connections with families that may not suit their needs.

When we declare something to be "best practice," are we saying there is no other way to meet quality benchmarks? Join Cindy and Alison to consider that phrase and other ways we may want to talk about what we strive to do.

Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about adults' goals when they deal with challenging behavior. Are they looking for compliance? Can we teach social-emotional lessons if our goal is compliance?

Can you imagine being forced to interact with people you don't like? It happens to children! Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about whether or not we should be forcing buddies.

The most rapid brain development takes place between birth and two years old; yet, infant-toddler staff may not have access to credentials to earn degrees in that age group. Will public schools eventually serve infants and toddlers? Will that cause society to focus more on education about that age group? Should private programs seek credentials for their staff? These questions and more with Cindy and Alison!

Is labeling someone as "the good child" always good for them? Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about the impact of this seemingly good label we often give to young children.

Early childhood classrooms should have visuals of diversity among human beings. Join us for a discussion about a common trend of using cartoon characters as classroom decorations instead of images of people. When characters replace images of people, what do children miss out on learning? Cindy and Alison talk about that question and more during this episode of "How Preschool Teachers Do It."

Join Cindy and Alison as they discuss another great quote from an early childhood education professional like you! This discussion focuses on a ditch many early childhood programs and schools can't seem to climb out of even though they may know they should.

Some of the best quotes come from early childhood education professionals working daily with educators, children, and families. Join Cindy and Alison as they discuss a quote about what we should strive to give to children.

It's almost summer! It is time to think about bringing the same activities we do indoors to the outdoors. Cindy and Alison discuss the possibilities for more choices when children play in your playground and outdoor areas.

If a child doesn't touch something, can they truly know it? Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about touch and if it is, in fact, the most important of the five senses.