The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is proud to be part of Long Island's Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Education. Visit its web page for links to all partner organizations. Many have important COVID-19-related resources to offer: www.nassauboces.org/rtac
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You'll be green with envy if you don't secure a spot in an upcoming workshop!
Reserve your seat now.
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Tools of the Mind: Effective Teaching and Joyful Learning - Developing Self-Regulated Learners Through Play
This presentation will provide an overview of the Tools of the Mind curriculum and will highlight some key ideas about self-regulation, its impact in young children’s development and learning, and how to best support its development through mature make-believe play and the Vygotskian Theory. Deborah Leong, President and Co-Founder of Tools of the Mind, and
Luis Gallego, Partnership Development Manager, will use examples from Tools classrooms and anecdotes from Tools teachers to highlight the impact and effectiveness of Tools of the Mind curriculum and approach. Attendees will see how this approach empowers teachers to support self-regulation and make-believe play along with addressing academic content.
Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2022
Time: 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Registration: Free, but registration is required
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PLC: Sharing Our Practices for STEM/STEAM in the Pre-K & Kindergarten Setting
A professional learning circle - or PLC - is comprised of a group of educators that meets regularly, shares expertise and works collaboratively to learn from one another. With support from experienced moderators, this PLC will offer the opportunity for participants to share with one another some of their favorite practices for STEM/STEAM in the Pre-K & Kindergarten classroom. This is the second PLC Zoom session provided during the winter and spring that will serve as a platform to share and exchange ideas. Our PLCs are designed for teachers, teacher assistants, administrators, directors and other early educators. You can register for one or more of our collaborative PLC sessions that will be offered this year.
Date: Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Registration: Free, but registration is required
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How focusing on small wins helps to reclaim a sense of purpose |
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For preschool teachers having a tough time this year, celebrating small wins and seemingly insignificant moments may help reclaim a sense of joy and purpose. An article by Megan Tavares in Edutopia challenges educators to ask themselves how they choose to bring sunshine to their students. After all, teams of educators must work hard to create a joyful and nurturing learning environment for any school community.
However, Tavares, who is a clinical social worker at a state-subsidized preschool, says that working throughout the pandemic has left some professionals exhausted and asking, “Why do I stay?” This prompted her to make suggestions as to how they can find joy and purpose in their roles as educators.
First, Tavares reframed the idea of how learning should appear. “If our teachers reframe the important work of preschool-playing, making friends, becoming more independent with self-care skills, developing the ability to problem-solve, and learning how to self-regulate, they can replace the pressure to prepare children for kindergarten with a sense of purpose and joy,” she says. Tavares tasks educators with reminding themselves what young children need to grow into well-adjusted adults. She stresses the importance of executive functioning and social emotional skills, more so than learning how to hold a pencil (though that is integral as well).
Teachers at her pre-school were frustrated when one student in particular would frequently scream and throw tantrums. They were worried about how it would appear to other students, and said, “She can’t be doing this here.” Tavares suggested that they teach her coping skills so that she could self-regulate and problem-solve, hopefully allowing her to successfully join the group. This would also teach the other children at the same time because they were watching her learn these skills.
Eventually, her frustrated colleagues reframed what learning looks like in their classrooms. They did this through adding different fidgets, calm-down jars and other soothing materials to a designated quiet area. They incorporated coping skills into their daily circles, and hung visuals around the room that displayed problem-solving techniques. Now, Tavares rarely has to visit the classroom because the teachers find learning opportunities in different behaviors.
Some educators celebrate when anxious students finally make eye contact, or a new idea pans out for making a space in the classroom for wiggling. “Celebrate small successes,” says Tavares. “If we don’t enjoy the small successes as students work toward proficiency, both students and teachers will be left feeling as though they haven’t accomplished anything.” Maybe a student uses the potty for the first time, or a child uses the quiet area to calm down. Give them high fives and enjoy the victory! Taking these steps will “help teachers connect to the joy and purpose of teaching again, remember their why, and bring back their sunshine.”
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New book explores math concepts for infants and toddlers |
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Precursor Math Concepts: The Wonder of Mathematical Worlds with Infants and Toddlers offers knowledge for the teaching of mathematics to the youngest of learners. Erikson Institute’s Nora Kane interviewed Mary Hynes-Berry, one of the authors of the book, about how her work helps educators think about the best ways to support children ages 0 through 3 in exploring mathematics right from the start.
Hynes-Berry said that the concept for the book was born when one of her colleagues suggested that 3 is too late for children to start learning the big ideas in math. They realized there was very little research about math learning for younger children, so they “began to struggle together to indentify the groundwork for math learning,” she said.
The authors identify four Precursor Concepts: attribute, comparison, change and pattern. These concepts develop in stages throughout the precursor stage of development, when children begin to make sense of their environments and the world around them. “When people think about math, they often think of numbers and counting, but number is not the most salient aspect of math for infants and toddlers, and counting is not even really a part of math at that age,” says Hynes-Berry. Instead, her definition of math is that it is a logical way of thinking that can be found in everyday routines and interactions.
According to Hynes-Berry, using language and actions creates mathematical opportunities in eating, dramatic play and diapering, for example. None of it involves numbers. For children 0-3, math must be found in their immediate worlds.
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Capture the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day with picture books |
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Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by sharing traditions including pots of gold, four-leaf clovers and leprechauns. According to a list compiled by Keith Rice in Brightly, there are many great books to help children understand and enjoy the holiday. “Whether it’s a book about the significance of the holiday, a classic folktale, or a romping adventure with a leprechaun, there’s something for every child,” he says. Check out a few of the books that lucky children everywhere will enjoy:
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I’m a Leprechaun, by Mallory Loehr. This simple tale introduces toddlers and preschoolers to leprechauns. Did you know that these magical creatures are not only great at hiding pots of gold, they are also adept at making shoes?
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Lucky Tucker, by Leslie McGuirk. Even four-legged friends enjoy St. Patrick’s Day. Tucker the terrier feels like everything is going wrong on March 17, but then he rolls in a bed of four-leaf clovers (that also happens to be the home of a leprechaun).
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The Gingerbread Man and the Leprechaun Loose at School, by Laura Murray. A tough cookie is on a mission to find a mischievous leprechaun that is making a mess of the elementary school. Educators will recognize pranks such as green toilet water and shamrock footprints…and might be inspired to try them in the classroom!
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Child Care Health Consultation
Webinar Series
Child care health consultants (CCHCs) support early childhood programs in many ways, including with policy development and implementation. Program policies and procedures that are science-informed and evidence-based help ensure the health, safety, and wellness of children, families, and staff. In this CCHC series webinar presented by the Office of Head Start, explore strategies and resources CCHCs and program leadership can use to review and develop health policies and procedures.
Date: Thursday, March 10, 2022
Time: 2pm - 3pm
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Reimagining P-3 Early Learning Statewide Conference
Presented by the National P-3 Center, this conference will cover strengthening learning through play, cross-curricular integration, and becoming a culturally responsive Early Learning educator. It will provide Early Learning stakeholders an opportunity to experience what Next Generation-aligned classrooms and instruction looks, sounds and feels like at the P-3 level.
Date: Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Time: 8:30am - 3:30pm
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual
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Social Emotional Growth and Socialization Series
(All Modalities)
Presented by the Child Care Council of Nassau, in this training participants will recognize temperament tendencies in infants and toddlers and engage in discussions regarding children’s behaviors. Participants will develop strategies to give appropriate support to help children regulate and express their temperament tendencies and discuss probable causes of children’s behaviors.
This training is one part in a 3-part series.
Date: Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Cost: Non-member $10 / Member $5
Location: Child Care Council of Nassau,
99 Quentin Roosevelt Blvd., Suite 201, Garden City, 11530
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Initiative and Curiosity for Everyone-
Children, Coachees, and Coaches
Webinar
Children are born with a natural interest and curiosity about the world around them. As they grow, children show increasing interest and curiosity about objects, materials, and people in their environment. They need adults to create an environment and provide interactions that are secure and responsive to help foster these skills. Presented by the Office of Head Start, this webinar identifies ways to help staff encourage children’s initiative and curiosity. Join the discussion for ways to boost coachee and coach initiative and curiosity through reflection and feedback. Participants will explore resources to share with coaches — or use themselves!
Date: Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Time: 3pm - 4pm
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Building Social and Emotional Development Outdoors
Webinar
Did you know that being outside fuels social and emotional development? Preschool children are often engaged in social activities when outdoors, and active bodies often lead to active emotions. These are the elements children need for constructive social and emotional learning. Presented by the Office of Head Start, this webinar begins a three-part series that explores learning outdoors during the preschool years. In this first episode, Dawson Nichols and Marley Jarvis from the National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning (NCECDTL) discuss the ways outdoor environments create ideal conditions for children's social and emotional development. They explain how adults can use outdoor environments to help build social and emotional skills in children ages 3 through 5.
Date: Thursday, March 17, 2022
Time: 3pm - 4pm
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71 Clinton Rd. Garden City, NY 11530-9195
Phone: 516-396-2220
www.nassauboces.org/pre-k
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