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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What we learned from the exciting annual conference “Best Practices for Teaching Pre-K and K” |
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Led by the L.I. Pre-K Initiative, the 6th annual conference was a great success. Educators came away inspired and challenged to experiment with new practices and modes of thinking. The special event featured nationally known speakers who presented engaging, relatable workshops filled with advice, resources, and even laughter. Here are some highlights:
Bari Koral, Keynote Speaker: “Mindfulness, Toe-ga, Kids Yoga for Social Distancing” (Sponsored by Becker School Supply)
Koral discussed how five minutes of yoga is actually equivalent to a one-hour nap! She went on to share the “ABCs of Mindfulness:” A – Awareness, B – What is my body doing?, and C – Consistency. Methods for being mindful include Rainbow Relaxation and Candle Breaths. Koral reiterated the need for educators and caregivers to be mindful. “Too much future, and not enough present,” she said. “There are things that can happen and things that do happen.” Participants were lucky enough to get to hear Koral present her newest song, “All the Colors of Me.” Visit https://barikoral.com/ to find many of the great yoga resources that Bari delightfully presented.
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Helen Frazier and Tatiana Bacigalupe: “Using the Early Learning Guidelines to Understand and Support Mathematical Development in Early Childhood” (Sponsored by CUNY PDI)
Frazier and Bacigalupe reinforced the fact that blocks are fundamental for child development. They suggested that when speaking with children about their block designs, educators should say, “Tell me about your structure,” instead of asking limiting questions such as, “What are you building?” They offered a number of questioning tools to help with such activities. The educators also spoke about the importance of subitizing (which means “to make an immediate and accurate reckoning of the number of items in a group or sample without needing to pause and actually count them”), as well as the use of big words. “Using big words with children helps their mathematical thinking,” they said, while remarking on how the language of math is important in cognitive development.
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JoEllen McCarthy: “Heart Starts: Read-Alouds to Center Kids and C.A.R.E.” (Sponsored by Stenhouse)
McCarthy, the author of the book “Layers of Learning,” spoke with educators about the importance of choosing books that meet children and their families, and how “it’s not about the books, it’s the conversation we have with children around books.” She suggested that everyone “research their kids first, then select the books.” Books are JoEllen’s co-teachers, and she expressed the idea that “empathy is found in the spine of every book.” She shared a wealth of titles from which she would suggest educators enrich their own libraries, including “Worm Loves Worm,” “A House for Every Bird,” “Fry Bread,” “How to Read a Story,” “Dog Heaven” and “I’ll Build You a Bookcase” (the last of which is available in English, Spanish, Arabic and Vietnamese!). McCarthy also expressed her admiration for websites such as Bookelicious.com, Getepic.com, Tumblebooks.com, Kanopy.com/kids, KidLit.TV and netflixbookmarks.com.
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Todd Parr, Keynote Speaker: “Love and Tacos”
The beloved author was candid about the fact that he did not learn to read until he was in the second grade. In fact, he mentioned that he still remembers the teacher who discovered his deficiency in literacy, as she engaged him in books because she cared so greatly. His own learning issues inspired his book, “It’s Okay to be Different,” which he later revealed is one of his favorites from the more than sixty books that he has written. Another favorite? “The Goodbye Book.” Parr demonstrated the great wit and humor for which he is famous, and answered a number of questions about his journey…and his colorful work room. Visit Todd at toddparr.com.
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Jessie Olson, “Marvelous Math: Enhancing Preschool Math” (Sponsored by Lakeshore Learning Materials)
Similar to Frazier and Bacigalupe, Olson closed out the exciting conference by expressing the importance of block play. “Think about your block areas; children just naturally jump in!” she said. She asked educators to consider the areas of math in which they naturally address children while they are playing in block areas. She also spoke of subitizing, and encouraging children to think mathematically. Jessie invigorated educators and challenged them to think about what children do and don’t understand. She provided a great finale to an exciting conference!
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Reading aloud to your students supports a “balanced, rigorous and joyful literacy curriculum,” says Rebecca Billingham, author of “The Artful Read-Aloud.” In a recent article in the Heinemann Blog, Billingham spoke of how to transform literacy through read-alouds and reinforced their importance.
Billingham feels that reading aloud to children every single day is one of the most important things any teacher can do in order to help children grow and become better thinkers, readers and overall human beings. She believes that reading helps teach children how to be compassionate and build community, especially because contemporary children’s literature tackles issues that children are facing today, like the effects of intolerance, bullying and racism.
Unfortunately, many teachers feel they don’t have enough time to read to their students. After all, it is difficult for them to fit a variety of items into their curricula. Despite this, Billingham says, “there is virtually nothing you could do that would be more valuable and important than reading aloud every day, not just because kids love it and are able to experience the joy and delight books can provide, but also because it fuels their ability and desire to read.”
Every child’s reading journey is unique, but there are a few components of their path that are imperative. They must have varied exposure to books, words and positive experiences with books and reading that set them on a course to become learners for life. They must also receive specific instructions in the technical aspects of print, which includes instruction in phonemic awareness, spelling patterns and phonics.
By reading every day in your classroom, you are giving young children access to literary conversations and to the ideas and inner worlds of one another. “It’s almost impossible not to have literate conversations while reading aloud quality children’s literature to kids. Even just asking kids to pause and tell a neighbor what they are thinking or considering gives them practice with talking about their reading.”
Billingham also stresses the fact that what we model for children is what they remember most. She asks, “How else can we show students what the invisible processes of reading and thinking look like? How else can students hear what it sounds like to read fluently, expressively, and in a way that allows you to really see and understand what’s happening?” Plus, the benefits of a teacher modeling his or her love and amazement while reading sends a powerful message: This is how fantastic reading can be!
We all love the desperate cry of “Noooo!” when we put down a good book after reading aloud to children. It is an experience that is deeply pleasurable for the teacher and students. We are more productive, engaged and more open to learning when we are happy. Children who love to read, read more. These same children do better in school, and they even perform better on exams. Billingham adds, “Reading to [children] is a vital part of creating a community of readers in your classroom and supporting a balance of rigorous and joyful literacy curriculum that feeds your students’ souls and minds as well as your own.”
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Books that show children how to be thankful |
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Children are often shy around adults and get too nervous to remember their manners and what it means to say, “Thank you.” In an article in Brightly, Dena McMurdie writes that she enjoys teaching her children that gratitude helps us feel happier and get the most out of our lives. “When my kids are feeling down, forget their manners, or need a reminder about all the good things they have, I read these books about gratitude with them." Here are just a few:
"Otis Gives Thanks," by Loren Long
Otis has a lot for which he should be grateful, including his home on the farm, fun games and hard work, as well friendship and love. McMurdie says that this is a great introduction to developing gratitude for toddlers and preschoolers.
"Thanks from The Very Hungry Caterpillar," by Eric Carle
With colorful illustrations and a kind message, this book is a beautiful way to show thanks for loved ones.
"Thank You Bear," by Greg Foley
This mystery picture book sees many colorful animals guess what’s inside a box. However, little readers won’t discover what’s inside until the very last page. Throughout Bear’s journey, he experiences gratitude and thankfulness for a great friend.
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Scholarship Alert! Enhanced B5 SUNY/CUNY Early Childhood Workforce Scholarship for Early Childhood Recognition
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This scholarship is needs-based, and is designed to support those individuals working 20 hours in licensed early childhood programs (center, family, group family). New, returning and current students are eligible to apply for the scholarship through the New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute's Career Development Center.
To learn more about the scholarship, please attend an upcoming information event:
Tuesday, November 23rd, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Wednesday, December 1st, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Friday, December 17th, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
All sessions will be held virtually using Zoom.
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The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is a collaborating partner in the state-funded Long Island Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Childhood Education. |
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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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