#early childhood educator

[justanotherparent]

There's got to be more like-minded educators and parents out there.

Please reblog or like this if you work in and post about early childhood (development / education /etc) or are a parent who is one or more of the following:

pro children's rights

a person of color

actually autistic

pro mental health awareness and action

for the right to an education for every single child regardless of age, race, gender, heritage, ethnicity, and more

comfortable shit posting stuff those without kids or maybe those who don't work with kids wouldn't understand

DNI if you are: a terf, nsfw blog, christianity apologist (spare the rod spoil the child), montessori is king I learned ab it via socail media teehe, mommy-fluencer, post your children or children you work with online, pro spanking, or think ABA therapy is acceptable

[kiku91]

Today I had to be an assistant teacher to two classrooms simultaneously because of counts, for five minutes, and I aced filling in attendance and health checks, but I got so worked up from the mental work, that I had to play with my fidget like a castanet for 15 minutes while the kids were eating morning snack

[sallyyty]

The Role of Early Childhood Educators: Beyond Babysitting

Young children in Singapore are greatly influenced by the early childhood educators who work with them. They play a crucial role in setting the groundwork for lifetime learning and development, going beyond simple supervision. It is a thorough examination of their many duties and the influence they have on young children.

Early Childhood Education in Singapore

Early childhood education in Singapore is recognised for its structured approach aimed at nurturing children's cognitive, social, and emotional growth from infancy to six years old. This phase is crucial as it sets the stage for future academic success and overall well-being.

Key Responsibilities of Early Childhood Educators

Early childhood educators shoulder diverse responsibilities that encompass every aspect of a child's early development. They play a central role in facilitating holistic growth, encompassing cognitive, physical, social, and emotional domains. Through carefully designed activities and interactions, they create environments that stimulate curiosity, creativity, and resilience among young learners.

Curriculum planning is another cornerstone of their role, where educators meticulously craft age-appropriate learning experiences aligned with Singapore’s early childhood framework. These plans integrate play-based learning, literacy activities, numeracy skills, and cultural appreciation, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience that supports comprehensive development.

Assessment and progress monitoring constitute critical tasks for educators, enabling them to evaluate each child’s developmental milestones and learning outcomes. Through systematic observations and assessments, they identify strengths and areas needing additional support, collaborating closely with parents and guardians to provide tailored guidance and support that bridges home and school environments.

The Impact of Early Childhood Educators

The impact of early childhood educators extends far beyond the classroom walls. By nurturing a love for learning and fostering critical thinking skills from an early age, educators lay formidable foundations for future academic achievement. They cultivate curiosity, creativity, and adaptability, preparing children to face the challenges and opportunities they will encounter throughout their educational journey and beyond.

Social and emotional development is another cornerstone of their impact. Through intentional teaching practices, educators nurture empathy, self-regulation, and conflict-resolution skills, equipping children with essential emotional intelligence to navigate interpersonal relationships effectively in school and later in life. This holistic approach enhances children’s well-being and contributes to a positive classroom environment conducive to learning and growth.

Collaboration lies at the heart of an educator’s role, fostering partnerships with families and communities to support children's holistic development. By engaging parents through regular communication, workshops, and collaborative goal-setting, educators ensure that learning experiences are enriched both at home and in educational settings. This collaborative effort strengthens the support network around each child, promoting continuity and consistency in their educational journey.

Qualifications and Continuous Professional Development

In Singapore, early childhood educators undergo rigorous training and certification to meet national standards. They acquire specialised knowledge in child development, curriculum planning, and effective classroom management strategies. Continuous professional development is emphasised to keep educators abreast of evolving educational practices and research-based methodologies, ensuring that they are equipped to provide high-quality learning experiences that meet the diverse needs of young learners.

Challenges and Opportunities in the Field

Despite the critical role they play, early childhood educators face challenges such as workforce shortages and the need for greater recognition and support. Efforts are underway to attract more individuals to the profession through incentives like scholarships, career advancement opportunities, and competitive salaries. By addressing these challenges, Singapore aims to build a robust workforce capable of delivering excellence in early childhood education.

Advancements in early childhood education continue to drive innovation and improvement in teaching methods and curriculum frameworks. Singapore remains committed to integrating technology responsibly and adapting educational practices to meet the needs of a diverse student population. These advancements present opportunities for educators to explore new approaches and methodologies that enhance learning outcomes and enrich the educational experience for young children.

Conclusion

Early childhood educators in Singapore are more than caretakers; they are architects of early learning experiences that shape the foundation of a child's future. Their dedication to nurturing young minds and fostering holistic development underscores their significance in society. As the landscape of early childhood education evolves, so too does the invaluable role of these educators in shaping the next generation.

Contact NTUC First Campus Outdoor School today to explore early childhood education opportunities and programs.

[marryslittlelambs]

Early Childhood Educator

An early childhood educator helps shape the future. But that takes more than just a love of children. Patience, good communication, and a strong sense of organization are key.

Young kids have a lot of energy and can be impulsive. This means teachers need to be ready for anything.

Group Time

Early childhood early childhood educator must be capable of adapting to each child’s unique developmental needs and classroom dynamics. They must also stay abreast of best practices in a rapidly evolving educational landscape. This requires a strong managerial focus and resilience.

Group time during kinder program planning can be anything from reading stories and singing songs together to playing group games or even doing a show and tell. The goal is to engage children in a fun and interesting way that will encourage them to participate.

Teachers should give children a say in how they want to organize their daily schedule. For example, allowing them to decide whether story time comes before or after snack is an easy way for them to feel like they have control over their environment. They should also include them in the process of making any major changes, such as transitioning to mixed-age groups. This helps them buy-in to the change and will help ease their concerns.

Individual Time

An early childhood education career offers a unique blend of care, compassion, and learning. It’s a role that requires a love of children, the willingness to nurture growth, and the ability to spark curiosity during childhood’s most formative years.

An ECE educator’s workday can be hectic and unpredictable. Whether a child comes

in late, a planned outdoor activity is rained out or an evaluator drops by unexpectedly, teachers must be flexible enough to adjust their plans on the fly.

In addition to planning their classroom activities, ECE educators also coordinate with various teams of professionals to foster a holistic learning environment. This may include partnering with healthcare providers to address developmental concerns, collaborating with family services for child welfare issues, and liaising with curriculum developers to create age-appropriate learning materials. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that the educational and well-being needs of young children are met comprehensively.

Daily Routine

A consistent daily routine gives children a sense of security and supports their emotional and social development. For example, a regular schedule provides consistency during points of transition that involve leaving or returning to the classroom from outside activities (i.e., arrival and departure times).

A typical kinder program plan includes daily routines for learning time, mealtimes, rest periods, indoor/outdoor play and clean-up. The plan should also address how to manage problem behaviors that may occur during certain parts of the day, such as large-group time and snack.

A well-organized daily plan will include specific steps for all of these routines, such as when a child is expected to arrive, sign in and find her personal storage space, wash hands, and choose a quiet activity in an open interest area. It will also include a timeline for the day's activities, such as when each lesson should begin and end. Educators can use modeling, peer partners and positive descriptive feedback to help children navigate these routines.

Assessment

Assessment is a very important component of a high-quality early childhood program. Educators use observation, written records, nursery melbourne, projects and family information to gather and record student progress over time. This information helps educators plan curriculum and experiences for children, communicate with families and evaluate their own teaching practice.

Educators also use formal, summative assessments that are administered at the end of a learning period or school year to measure student achievement and provide a score or rank against state early learning standards. These assessments may be high-stakes, resulting in public reporting and potentially impacting student promotion or school accountability.

Formative assessment is the process of observing students and documenting their progress in a variety of ways, including taking notes as they work, making reflections on their observations, and analyzing and evaluating data. Educators integrate these activities into their daily routines to make them part of the experience, rather than an add-on activity. They also avoid overuse of standardized assessments, which can cause stress for young children and interfere with time for learning.

[harmonyhealinghub]

From Early Childhood Educator to Educational Assistant: The Vital Role of Nurturing Young Minds

Shaina Tranquilino

February 3, 2024

Early childhood education is the foundation upon which a child's future success and development are built. It is during these formative years that children acquire essential skills, knowledge, and values that shape their lifelong learning journey. In this blog post, I would like to shed light on the crucial role played by early childhood educators and share my personal experience transitioning into an educational assistant after working in this rewarding field for several years.

The Importance of Early Childhood Educators:

1. Shaping young minds: Early childhood educators have the profound responsibility of facilitating a child's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth during their most critical developmental stage. These educators create environments where children can explore, discover, and learn through play-based activities tailored to individual needs.

2. Nurturing holistic development: Beyond academic achievements, early childhood educators focus on fostering well-rounded development by instilling values such as empathy, respect, and cooperation. They lay the groundwork for positive self-esteem and help children develop healthy relationships with others. It is all about development of the whole child.

3. Building strong foundations: Research shows that high-quality early childhood education programs significantly enhance school readiness and long-term academic success. By providing a solid foundation in literacy, numeracy, problem-solving skills, and creativity at an early age, educators equip children with tools they will continue to build upon throughout their educational journey.

4. Supporting diverse learners: Every child is unique with different abilities and learning styles. Early childhood educators employ inclusive teaching practices to ensure all children feel valued and supported. By adapting instruction methods accordingly, they cater to various strengths and challenges while promoting diversity acceptance among peers.

My Experience as an Early Childhood Educator:

Having recognized the importance of early childhood education in shaping young minds, I dedicated several years of my career as an educator in this field. Witnessing firsthand the incredible impact we can have on children's lives was both rewarding and inspiring.

During my time as an early childhood educator, I honed my skills in creating developmentally appropriate lesson plans, fostering a positive and engaging learning and playing environment, working on the development of the whole child, making sure their needs are getting met, and working closely with parents to support children's individual needs. My role extended beyond teaching; I became a mentor, nurturer, and advocate for each child under my care.

Transitioning into Educational Assisting:

While my passion for working with young children remained unwavering, transitioning into educational assisting provided me with new opportunities to make a difference in the lives of students across various age groups. As an educational assistant, I gained firsthand experience supporting teachers inside the classroom, providing one-on-one assistance to students who required extra attention or had specialized learning needs.

This transition allowed me to draw upon my previous experiences in early childhood education while expanding my knowledge of different instructional approaches suitable for elementary and highschool school students. Collaborating with teachers, parents, and other professionals enabled me to contribute effectively to students' overall academic progress and well-being.

Early childhood educators play a vital role in shaping the minds of our youngest learners. Their dedication to nurturing holistic development, building strong foundations, and supporting diverse learners lays the groundwork for future success. Transitioning from an early childhood educator to an educational assistant has allowed me to continue making a meaningful impact on students' lives while broadening my professional horizons.

As we recognize the importance of these dedicated individuals, let us appreciate their tireless efforts in moulding young minds and creating a solid foundation for lifelong learning.

[giorgio52fan]

Early Childhood Education and Development

Early childhood education and development play a pivotal role in shaping the future of individuals and societies. This critical phase of a child’s life, typically spanning from birth to age eight, lays the foundation for cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth. In this article, we delve into the significance, key components, and benefits of early childhood education and development,…

[faeriekit]

TODAYBORDAY IS LABOR DAY

Brought to you by your local children's librarian! 😊

The library today is, obviously, closed. Thank goodness. However, we were open earlier this weekend, and I was grateful to have been given a chance to make a labor day display in the children's department!

And Y'ALL. Pickings were SLIM. Believe it or not, but society at large does NOT like teaching children about worker's rights, unionizing, and negotiations! 😭 Never fear, however, because I, under an extreme time crunch (3pm on a friday right before labor day) came up with a short list on kids' books that might help get thoughts flowing on what Labor Day means to us as a country. Good ol' 'Merica or whatever we're saying these days.

Behold: a kid's labor day reading list! ⬇

The candy conspiracy : a tale of sweet victory is classic "boss gets a dollar, I get a dime" story about the power of labor and bargaining. With candy! 🍫🍭🍬 Quick, sweet, and good enough to eat.

Click Clack Moo: Cows that Type is a great story about negotiating for better working conditions. That's right, the barnyard goes on strike for electric blankets and a diving board in the duck pond! A silly, quick read, told largely by the typewritten letters from the cows themselves. Click Clack, Moo!

Hey, remember when children used to have to work countless hours for pennies a day if that just to possibly die or be permanently disfigured on the job? The traveling camera : Lewis Hine and the fight to end child labor is the story of one man's quest to document child labor all across the country in hopes of finally ending it for good— through the work of the National Child Labor Committee. Remember to thank labor laws for the good they've done in your life!

Every student in the country ought to learn about exactly how many people died unnecessary deaths in the industries before workplace safety laws were implemented nationwide. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire : core events of an industrial disaster is a nonfiction title about the how and whys of this horrific event. The most famous of its kind, we should not forget the people lost due to casual workplace cruelty and the demands of overwork.

Teach children to respect blue collar and working class heroes in Real Superheroes: a celebration of essential workers! From the people who keep our towns and cities free of debris and contaminants to healthcare professionals to emergency services, every down and dirty job is held by someone who keeps our towns up and running. Thanks, everyone! (I also recommend Night Job for the same reasons; very sweet, very good at portraying what a school janitor does as their work.)

I was going to add a book on the Mine Wars in West Virginia, since one recently published for a younger age group, but it was more teen than kid friendly unfortunately so I ended up cutting it. I was able to find another book on a different circumstance, however:

The real history of the transcontinental railroad covers a bevvy of relevant topics from the displacement of Native people in the west, the exploitation of Chinese immigrants, worker's rights, and the lingering ghost of Manifest Destiny that haunts this country to this day. Not every kid is ready for intersectional thinking on racism, xenophobia, and colonization, but at the very least, kids are very good at recognizing when a situation is "fair" or "unfair". Let them chew on this for a little bit and see what conversations come out of it.

Happy Labor Day, everyone! Be safe, be strong, and work in groups!

[terezisexbuttpyrope]

I'll add the ratios in USA a bit later

[philosophicalconservatism]

It is astounding to watch activists on the Left pretend to play the role of enlightened advocates of free speech denouncing "the banning of books" in response to attempts to screen out pornographic and other age inappropriate content from elementary school libraries, when the same people actively support government regulation of speech by adults for adults (which was the actual focus of free speech mandates).

[furiousgoldfish]

I was reading a book named "Better late than early", which is about evidence showing that it's beneficial for children to be sent to school (including preschool) at the age of 8, rather than 5, 6 or 7. The premise is that the kids don't yet develop enough security, confidence and thinking skills to cope with a competitive and overstimulating learning environment.

In that book, they're answering the questions of 'what is best for the kids then, how should one approach raising a child so the child does well later on', and the answer that is that the child is to be engaged with, with warmth, curiosity, encouragement, care. They even explain that you don't have to be incredibly educated or efficient in child-raising, as long as you show kindness, answer the child's questions, show a little curiosity in them and give them some positive attention, the child will thrive in contrast to not getting any attention and being isolated and neglected.

They made a study comparing orphaned children who were put in an educational institution to be cared by the educators, with orphaned children who were given one-on-one attention and care; the children given personal attention turned out to thrive significantly better, while the first group struggled to complete even the basic of their education.

They also noted that children who are sent to school early can perceive it as rejection from their parents - and the book confirms that in many cases, they are right. Parents are choosing their own freedom and time over care for their children, and sending them to school early just to get out of having to care for them at home. I knew I was right when I figured I was being sent to school early because I was resented at home.

It seems that the most vital part of raising a child is giving them attention and care, and children who do not receive that support are at a major disadvantage over the children who do, and it's out of children's control what they get. It made me burn inside to know this, because the first thing abusive parents take away from us is the engagement, attention, warmth and kindness. Even with children who do get engagement from their abusive parents, it's all for the parent's sake, children are forced to focus on what the parent needs from them, and not the reverse. Children are forced to give attention, rather than to receive it.

If you've been brought up in an abusive home, it's likely that the attention you got was just to inform you that nobody cares and that you are too old to want attention. Kindness was taken away and you were told that 'tough love' was better for you, you would end up spoiled if you received kindness. Warmth, curiosity and engagement, were limited resources that you were able to get precious little of, if any, and only when your abuser was 'in a good mood'. You weren't supposed to consider yourself important enough to get one-on-one attention, or to have someone engage with you and give answers to all of your questions, reactions to all of your efforts.

it wasn't supposed to be like that. Children don't thrive on neglect or cruelty. Being engaged with and given attention is necessary, even vital for us to be able to grow up healthy, to complete our education and to find our way in the world. They lied to us about everything. They took what they wanted from us and neglected to give us childhoods. This isn't normal. We weren't supposed to be treated like we were disposable. We needed attention just like all the other kids. We deserved it just the same.

[azulock]

Reading this week's chapter really gives me the vibes that from all the teams the Ubers really are the most well adjusted one. They look like a frat house sure, but they aren't trying to kill each other. Barcha is good too but just cause they only got like Bachira.

Makes me wanna write a college AU where they'd seem like the most toxic frat house cause it's just fuckboy 1, fuckboy 2, narcissist model, a creep, a jock and the nerd that doesn't leave the house. But no, they are shockingly normal, esp when compared to how the other houses are full of attempted violent attacks and drama. The only normal ones are like them and Barcha, the other three are a mess.

[recentlylocal]

Really convinced from Cam and Pal’s “in for five, out for five” strategy, Pal’s mention of Nona’s “displacement activity,” and Camilla talking about Nona’s anxiety, that the Sixth House actually has therapy and that’s why Cam and Pal seem so well adjusted compared to all the other house scions.

[plastic2000s]

JumpStart 1st Grade (1995)

"Oh no... the GLOP MONSTER!!!"

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Joyce Vance at Civil Discourse:

Tonight, Donald Trump will become the presidential nominee of the Republican Party. Joe Biden, a kind, decent man, is at home doing the right thing, quarantining to avoid infecting others with Covid. He tested positive yesterday. The likely narrative we will continue to see is that of the strong Republican nominee who emerged from an assassination attempt with nothing more than a (large, weird) bandaid on his ear versus the man who is hiding in his basement. Almost everyone I know is questioning how we got here. There are people who believe that the proof of Biden’s competence lies in the results he has delivered during his first three years in office. There are others who believe Joe Biden must be replaced. I’m a Biden supporter. I haven’t made any bones about that. I believe he and Kamala Harris have done a spectacular, if underappreciated, job in difficult times and should be permitted to continue; they should be celebrated, not merely tolerated. But it seems increasingly likely matters are coming to a head and the question of whether Joe Biden will remain on the ticket will be decided soon. [...]

Public education is important. Well-educated citizens are more employable and prepared to compete in the 21st Century economy. Education reduces crime. It improves public health and health equity. Education produces a more informed population, people able to think for themselves and their communities. As the saying goes, if you’re burning books because they contain some ideas you don’t like, you’re not afraid of books or courses—you’re afraid of ideas. That perfectly encapsulates the Project 2025 approach to education. The most important takeaway from the education chapter of Project 2025 is that the plan is to shut down the U.S. Department of Education. Donald Trump has been saying at recent rallies that it should be disbanded to “move everything back to the states where it belongs.” You’ll recall Trump has claimed he doesn’t know anything about Project 2025, but there are linkages that suggest he isn’t being truthful about that, as we discussed last week. Kevin Roberts, the head of the Heritage Foundation has confirmed it. Audio was released of him privately acknowledging Trump knows about Project 2025. Roberts says in the recording that he doesn’t grudge Trump for trying to separate himself from it because Project 2025 "has become a liability." Apparently, it’s just fine with the folks who wrote Project 2025 for Trump to lie to voters if it helps him get elected.

This isn’t about Trump backing off of supporting Project 2025 because Americans don’t want it. It’s being deceitful about what a Trump win would bring with it. That makes it even more important for us to understand the details of Project 2025. The Education Chapter is 44 pages long. They are counting on the fact that no one will read it. So we will. It would take an act of Congress to abolish the Department of Education, but Project 2025 has a workaround for that. The plan involves dismantling the Department so that all that is left is a hollow shell that can only gather statistics to disseminate. That’s the goal for an agency whose current mission is to “to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.” That seems like a good thing, something to improve upon. Not something to eliminate.

Lindsey Burke, the author of this chapter, is the author of a piece advocating against government funding for early childhood education, in other words, most of the funding for it that isn’t tied to religious entities. She writes, “Federal education policy should be limited and, ultimately, the federal Department of Education should be eliminated. When power is exercised, it should empower students and families, not government. In our pluralistic society, families and students should be free to choose from a diverse set of school options and learning environments that best fit their needs. Our postsecondary institutions should also reflect such diversity, with room for not only ‘traditional’ liberal arts colleges and research universities but also faith-based institutions, career schools, military academies, and lifelong learning programs.”

[...] Project 2025 put states in charge of programs that are currently funded and managed by the federal government. It would send money to the states without connecting it to established priorities and programs. This no strings money could be spent on “any lawful education purpose under state law”—we’re already seeing how that plays out in states that are spending money on religiously-oriented education. It would expand so-called school choice, for instance, the voucher programs that let students leave public schools for private ones that in some cases imposes restrictive limits on what they can learn. All of this goes hand in glove with the priorities in state legislatures that are gerrymandered to be and remain Republican. The Heritage Foundation also wants to eliminate Head Start, a program that funds early childhood education for low-income families, because it is “fraught with scandal and abuse”, according to a chapter on the Department of Health and Human Services. The Center for American Progress says in a new report that eliminating Head Start would reduce access and increase costs for childcare, hurting economic stability. Just as women are being forced to carry pregnancies that they don’t want and sometimes can’t afford to term.

Project 2025, if enacted, would be a disaster for education, especially early childhood and special education. #StopProject2025

[marryslittlelambs]

Avenues Early Learning Centre

In the Early Learning Center, children grow socially, emotionally and cognitively. Teachers cultivate students’ creativity by encouraging their curiosity and providing stimulating experiences.

With a high ratio of long term employed educators your child will see familiar faces each day and build strong bonds with their team. A home away from home with kind, caring qualified staff who know your child.

Kindergarten Care

If you’re considering enrolment for your child in an early learning centre, you should be aware of the differences between preschool and kindergarten. Preschool is designed for children three to five years of age, while kindergarten is a pre-school education program for children who are ready to transition into primary school.

Kindergarten programs operate during school hours and are based in elementary schools. They are a good option for parents who want to ease their child into education and care before attending elementary school. Many kindergarten classes also offer a full day of care, making them suitable for working parents.

Avenues early learning centre Bowen Hills offers two large outdoor play spaces which are shaded, allowing the children to explore their surrounds all year round. They also offer a library with resources borrowed from New Farm Library each term and a visiting librarian. They have strong connections with the local community and take the children on excursions to Newstead Bunnings, Kemp Place and Stricker’s Perry Park.

Preschool Care

A kinder, more nurturing learning environment for students ages 2 to 5 that will help them develop the basic lessons of working with others in a community and nurture their natural curiosity. Students will grow socially, emotionally and cognitively through hands-on learning paired with light-filled studios for display and performance.

Physical play is central to the educational philosophy for this age group, and faculty will foster the healthy habits of daily exercise, good nutrition and sleep. They will also emphasize the importance of healthy relationships between students and their parents.

Discover the fist campus of Avenues: The World School in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, home to our Early Learning Center for grades nursery, prekindergarten and kindergarten care. Explore the people, places and values that make us unique - one highly integrated global learning community with a shared mission, language immersion and transformative world-focused teaching. Click to learn more and apply now.

After School Care

At this stage of life, students discover how to learn and begin the journey of becoming independent learners. They will explore their interests through a variety of programs and activities that promote socialization, communication skills, physical health and more.

Classrooms are bright and child-friendly, with each paired with light-filled studio spaces where students display their work and present to the class. They will also have access to the roof-top playground and gymnasium.

Teachers will encourage strong partnerships with parents, helping students discover those early lessons that become the foundation for learning. They will also cultivate extracurricular interests, such as a love of reading and an interest in sports, by offering programs that help students develop their abilities.

Avenues is one highly integrated learning community with a common mission, curriculum and world-focused experiences. Our students are from the neighborhood and beyond, coming from all parts of Manhattan and from communities around the world. They all bring the unique perspectives of their languages and cultures.

Holiday Care

Avenues Norman Park is a family owned and operated childcare centre. They offer a range of services including vacation care, before and after school care and early learning programs for preschool age children. They also provide a Kindergarten program and a specialised school readiness program that prepares children for preschool. The centre is located next door to Kimberley Park State School and has spacious natural playgrounds that the children help to maintain.

Avenue's teaching philosophy acknowledges that children are life-long learners and that all aspects of learning – physical, social, emotional, personal and spiritual - are interconnected and holistic. They recognise that families are their child’s first and most influential educators and work in partnership with them. They value and respect their knowledge, opinions, culture and language and provide a safe and supportive environment.

Find out more about Avenues on their website or contact the Admissions Team for more information. You can also start your application process online or download the prospectus and application form.

[babyspacebatclone]

Small rant from a daycare teacher:

It’s important and healthy to teach children they can be told no.

We’re talking something like a bell curve, you need to be in the middle, but please for the love of your child’s future please answer this:

Will your child be expected to stop at red lights?

Will your child have to make appointments in inconvenient days?

Do you want your child to be able to live with, at most, a manageable amount of debt?

If you want those things for your child in the future - safety when driving, handling making doctor’s appointments in the schedule available, and financial health - If you want your child to be able to handle that in the future…

They need to learn that it’s ok to be told “no.”

That they can’t get everything exactly when they want it.

That some things are reasonable, but maybe not right now.

That other people have needs too, and we sometimes have to put those needs first for the time being.

Please.

I’m just… Exhausted from the three year olds complaining “But I want it!” or “I don’t want to [take my break]!” for months.

Because that behavior is age appropriate.

It is age appropriate for a child to want to impose their desires on the greater world. They don’t know other people have real feelings, real needs.

They need to learn this.

But if the belief that “I want this!” is going to work for months, that means they A) are getting away with it from someone regularly and B) aren’t learning patience and self control.

And at the minimum, if you want your child to have the independence of a driver’s license, they’re going to have to learn patience and self control.

And I promise you, they can start learning even before the age of 1.

On the flip side, of course, they also need to learn they do have control over the world, but that’s a different rant right now……

(They won’t be good at self control at age 1, in fact the way you know they’re learning is they cry at the word “no.” But that’s the process, and the earlier they understand the world imposes limits on them while having their needs otherwise met, the earlier they can learn coping skills for working within those limits.)