DCRC Blog

Whether your program has parents/families complete DECAs on their children, or only teachers/caregivers, it is important to discuss DECA results with families. Their interest and involvement are vital to their children’s resilience and social and emotional development. Here are some suggestions for sharing DECA results and collaborating with the families of young children in your care…

Family resilience – the ability of families to adapt, recover, and grow stronger through adversity – is vital for child well-being and academic success. Teachers, as key partners in a child’s development, play a crucial role in supporting and strengthening family resilience. Teachers can make a meaningful impact in a variety of ways.

Young children who develop resilience grow into adaptable, confident, and emotionally intelligent individuals. These qualities prepare them to handle academic, social, and personal challenges throughout life. By instilling resilience early, we empower children to approach life with optimism and determination, setting the stage for a lifetime of success.

Partnerships between teachers and families are essential in creating individualized and intentional experiences for young children. By working together, teachers and families can foster a child’s learning and development in a way that is consistent across home, community, and school environments. These collaborative efforts help children develop protective factors – characteristics, people, and supports that help a person get through tough times – that are crucial for their overall well-being and success.

For more than 20 years, I have been faithfully using and teaching others to use the FLIP IT strategy with children during challenging moments. Now, as I arrive at the ripe old age of 50, I have learned that my life as a professional, a partner, and a parent is made easier and better when I “walk my talk.” The four FLIP IT steps can and have been applied to every relationship in my life, regardless of age. Using FLIP IT on myself and with other adults has increased my empathy, my healthy boundaries, and my ability to collaboratively co-create solutions to life’s challenges. FLIP IT reminds us to “never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved” (Barbara Johnson).

We can all agree that when children find positive, healthy ways to meet their needs, it is a wonderful moment. We can also agree that there are times when children may use not-so-positive ways. Often, the reasons behind this include: (1) to gain or get something they want or need, such as a toy or object, sensory stimulation, or attention; or (2) to avoid or escape something they don’t want to do such as an activity, a place, or an interaction with another child or adult. But can you really pinpoint the specific reason behind a behavior, even when it seems like it came out of nowhere? It’s certainly possible!

Before we can expect children to understand the feelings of others, we first need to make sure they understand their own feelings. This learning process starts from the moment a baby is born – yes, that early! A baby who cries is feeling something troublesome. Their caregiver may not understand why the baby is crying but knows that something is wrong. When the adult quickly attends to the baby’s needs, the baby is learning two important prerequisites for empathy: (1) I matter and (2) my feelings matter. When babies learn that they matter and their feelings matter, the foundation for empathy skills is being set.

For many of us, the end of the calendar year provides an opportunity to reflect and set positive intentions for the year ahead.

You may have already started thinking about a New Year’s resolution and how this will be the year it finally sticks. Fun fact: 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February. But before you set common goals like improving your fitness routine, diet or spending habits, how about trying something new? I invite you to join me in my “2025 Commitment to Curiosity.”

It is officially the season of gratitude and giving, two concepts that young children can absolutely learn. But teaching them about the concept of giving is not enough. We must also teach them about the many joys of giving. Cultivating a spirit of generosity in young children is an invaluable gift that can last a lifetime. Teaching them the importance of giving not only fosters empathy but also strengthens community. Here are some ways you can instill the joy of giving in young children.

Gratitude is a strong emotion that can shape how children view the world. By teaching gratitude, we show them to always appreciate what they have, recognize the kindness of others, and develop an overall positive outlook on life. As teachers and caregivers, you have the amazing opportunity to be the ones to engrave this important value in the children in your care. Read on to learn more about introducing gratitude in your classroom, along with helpful activities!