It has been said that. . .

the best gift you can give children is your PRESENCE. 

Reading is a wonderful way to give your full attention to the children in your care while adopting a Play-full presence.  Through selecting good literature, smiles, giggles and amusement can be shared—a recipe for Play-fullness!

The Hennepin County Library provides a fantastic service through the Birth to Six link.  Teachers can find wonderful, Play-full ideas such as, Fingerplays, Online Fun, Booklists and more!  To get you started, I have some book recommendations below.  Remember, be present—it is the best gift you can give!

Favorite for Babies:   Bark, George  
Easy Picture Book  by Jules Fieffer

Favorite for Toddlers:   What Color is Your Underwear? 
Easy Picture Book  by Sam Lloyd

Favorite for Preschoolers:   Smile a Lot! (Nancy Carlson's Neighborhood) 
Easy Picture Book by Nancy Carson

Reading is Play-full when you choose great books!

Do you have any favorites?

As an adult, do you consider yourself a creative thinker? A problem solver? Enjoy playin? 

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you may want to thank those that are responsible for your upbringing.  While children are at play, they learn about the world.  While role-playing they are practicing to be a grown-up.  Children at play learn to pay attention and stick with a job.  Through play they learn how to solve problems, learn right from wrong, and develop their imagination as they manipulate a variety of tools. Play is considered a child’s work. Now, wouldn’t that be a great day of work?

It is because of this success, at a young age, that a child’s strong self-esteem grows into an adults, that are ready to conquer the world. Adults that are ready to face their daily work with a little play in their step.  This may be all you need to get through a day of work - a little play!! 

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be a rock star? 

You know, to have everyone in the room turn their attention to you as if you were the next best thing since sliced bread?  I have, but since my singing abilities are less than fabulous, the chances of ever hitting it big as a rock star are pretty slim. 

And then I started working with children.  Suddenly, I found a niche where I can be silly, crazy, and off-key in my singing and still be treated like a rock star.  There is nothing quite like the feeling of walking into a classroom of three year olds and being greeted by each and every one of them as if I had just made a number one record.  The enthusiasm and eagerness that children possess towards life and learning is the best part about working with them. 

It may not be nearly as glamorous as the life of a rock star, but the rewards are life-changing.  Besides, I would much rather have children’s art projects covering my walls than a bunch of gold records.  Wouldn’t you?

- Amy Harms Hoad

As co-author of smallTalk, it gives me great pleasure in sharing with each of you my view on the importance of the early childhood professional.  Being a professional means becoming an advocate for children, families, and the field of early childhood education.  Research shows that by age 3, 90% of a child’s brain has been formed.  Therefore, it is important as early childhood professionals to understand what young children are like; what influences their development; and how to use this understanding to create great environments where all children can thrive. 

Our professional organization, The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is dedicated to improving the well being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for all children from birth through age 8. NAEYC is committed to becoming an increasingly high performing and inclusive organization. The NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct offers guidelines for responsible behavior and sets forth a common basis for resolving ethical dilemmas encountered by those in the early childhood field.  The core values of the Code of Ethical Conduct are as follows:

1. Appreciate childhood as a unique and valuable stage of the human life cycle
2. Base our work on knowledge of how children develop and learn
3. Appreciate and support the bond between the child and family
4. Recognize that children are best understood and supported in the context of family, culture, community, and society
5. Respect the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each individual (child, family member, and colleague)
6. Respect diversity in children, families, and colleagues
7. Recognize that children and adults achieve their full potential in the context of relationships that are based on trust and respect

As early childhood educators, we must continue to strive to be the best we can be on behalf of young children and their families!

- Beverly Bauman

You know that feeling you get when you take that first bite of Ben & Jerry's ice cream? – you know, Chunky Monkey? 

It was just. 

like. 

that. 

Pure Joy! 

I heard a tiny voice ask, “Can I hug you?” The voice came from a sweet, little, brown eyed girl.  I looked up at her preschool teacher while thinking "SO precious".  Her teacher smiled and said, “That is why we do what we do!” 

Exactly.  And, . . . the wonderful chance to spread kindness--Isn't that what it is?  At the foundation, aren't early childhood best practices, just simply, kindness?  The ways of treating children that respect who they are right at this moment in time.  The "who they are" comes in all different types (just like ice cream!) and the challenge is allowing that "flavor" to be just what it is.  I love children and I know you do too. 

This will be our chance to share challenges, successes, and most importantly, celebrate why we do what we do. 

So we can continue to feel just like we felt with that very. 

first. 

bite. 


- Cecelia Westby

Do you ever feel as if you are “just” the babysitter? 

An over educated babysitter with a college degree? 

Sure you all wipe snotty noses, kiss boo boos and have office walls full of crayon drawings. But I am here to tell you that you are wrong; you are more than that!  You are all caring, intelligent early childhood professionals. 

I chose to be an early childhood professional because my passion was for children and their families.   When I was a center director, I loved the chance to get to know the variety of families that came through the door.  Each family brought a different dynamic to the center, which in turn made the center a very unique place:  single moms, single dads, blended families, two parent homes, etc.  

Have you ever thought about how parents feel leaving their children with virtual strangers, for more hours in a waking day than they spend with them?  How do you think that makes the parents feel?  Probably not real great, in fact it may make them feel quite guilty.  They may also be a little intimidated by all your vast knowledge, after all you are the one’s who have the degrees and can rattle of Piaget or Vygotsky’s theory without blinking an eye.  Not only do you know the concepts of the theories, but you are also able to apply them to your everyday interactions with their children.

Become a resource to parents and take advantage of your education, after all some of you may still be paying off those high student loans (yikes!).   Share information that will assist them in helping raise their children.  Give them ideas of activities that can be done at home.  Parents and educators share a common goal, what it best for the child.  Reveal your passion and let them know that you are more than a glorified babysitter; this is your chance to “shine”!

- Beverly Bauman