DCRC Blog

Circle time is one of the most powerful moments in a preschooler’s day. It’s a time when children gather together, not just to learn, but to connect with each other and their teacher. Far from being just another routine, circle time is a golden opportunity to build a strong sense of community, encourage active listening, and develop essential social skills.

Connecting with young children is one of the most rewarding aspects when it comes to being an educator or a caregiver. Developing these connections not only fosters trust, but also enhances learning and developmental experiences. Throughout this blog post, you will find effective strategies to help you engage with and better get to know the children in your care.

As both a teacher and a later-in-life mom, I’ve learned the incredible value of emotional intelligence, not just for children, but for us as adults too. One of the best ways to nurture this in our kids is by helping them develop a strong emotional vocabulary. This isn’t just about teaching them words; it’s about giving them tools that will serve them for life. Here’s why it is so crucial to focus on an emotional vocabulary from the very beginning of the school year…

The time is now! It’s hard to believe that back-to-school time is upon us, and that we must prepare for a whole new year. Now, some of you may be in year-round programs, but that doesn’t mean this blog post isn’t for you! Continue reading as we discuss teaching/care practices that support the social and emotional quality of your program, which we encourage you to reflect and focus on with September in very close view.

As the school year approaches, it is essential for teachers, caregivers, and parents to gear up for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. It is important to prepare, not just academically, but also mentally. Fostering resilience and wellness is an important piece when it comes to working with infants, toddlers and preschoolers. This blog post provides you with tips and tricks to help you build resilience and maintain your well-being, so that you are ready to make a positive impact on the young minds you nurture.

While our team sincerely hopes you rest and recharge this summer, we also invite you to explore this summer activity list we put together for you. Think of it like a “summer reading list” but with more fun, reflection, and learning! We all know the school/program year is jam-packed with things to do and young children to care for. This list was curated with YOU in mind, and with the thought that you may have even just a little more time to spare. Try doing just a few of them, or work through the entire list! You’ll find that while we’re calling this a “summer activity list,” the activities can help prepare you for the school/program year to come. Enjoy and take care!

June is in full swing, the school/program year is closing out, kiddos are headed home, and vacations are commencing…what do YOU have planned? For many of us, summer is either already here or almost here and, usually, is a time to reset and recharge. Easier said than done, but there are many simple ways to do this. We are all different, which means we recharge in our own way – there is no “one-size-fits-all.” And even with one strategy, there can be more than one way to approach it. So, while the simple tips in this blog post are ones you have most certainly seen before, we invite you to try them in ways that make the most sense to you. It’s your time, your energy, and your choice…and if you are someone who will be continuing the very essential work of caring for young children over the next few months, we still encourage you to do at least a few of these things to help you recharge this summer.

Summer is upon us and many of you who may not be seeing kiddos until September may be thinking about what you can offer their parents and families, to continue social emotional learning at home! How about 21 simple reminders? Give these a look and then we encourage you to share this blog post with the parents and families of children in your care.

Mental health is a part of who we are. It cannot and should not be ignored. There are many things we can do to promote our mental health. Just by reading this blog post, you are doing something very important for your well-being. And, you know what? The research tells us that, for us to provide the best care for children, it is important that we take care of ourselves, our well-being, and our mental health!

The question is…are you ready for a workout?

The Devereux Center for Resilient Children (DCRC) recently announced the launch of a brand-new professional development resource, the Building Your Bounce: Promoting Adult Resilience Self-Paced Online Course. This course is designed to help teachers and other child-serving professionals who educate, and care for, young children (birth through preschool) discover ways to nurture their resilience and manage stress more effectively. The course offers evidence-based strategies to strengthen relationships, promote healthy self-regulation, increase initiative, and teach participants how to be kinder to themselves.

Dr. Nefertiti Poyner, co-author of Building Your Bounce: Simple Strategies for a Resilient You and co-creator of the course, took some time with me to reflect on the creation and importance of this new resource.