What’s the Difference Between Baby 1.0 vs. Toddler 2.0?

Dear Tech Support,

Last year I upgraded from Baby 1.0 to Toddler 2.0. and noticed a distinct increase in the system’s overall performance, particularly in Tantrums 4.0 and it regularly defaults to a “No” application I never downloaded.

In addition, Toddler 2.0 uninstalled some really great programs like Regular NAPS 2.0 while installing Whining XP and Biting 4.0.

Easy-Going 8.0 no longer runs and adding cookies simply causes the system to crash just before adding SugarOverload 2.0. I’ve tried adding Pleading 3.0 and Nagging 4.0 but it works to no avail.

Someone recommended the Spanking 1.0 application but this seems counterproductive to what I am trying to do here.

What should I do?

Sincerely,

Desperate Mom

DEAR DESPERATE MOM,

Thank you for your letter. First, please keep in mind that Baby 1.0 is a Learning Package; Toddler is a full operating system.

Please enter the command: idothisbecauseiloveyou.html and download, Compassion5, Positive Discipline 3 and Love&Humor4.2. 

If the application is working as designed, Toddler 2.0 should begin running Happiness 3.0, Contentment 5 and Sweetness 3.1.

Please reconsider the Spanking 1.0 application, our research shows that overuse of this application can cause Toddler 2.0 to default to MEGAtantrums 4.3, Anger 5 with the Confusion 6.

Just so you know, all those default programs are very bad. These act as a virus and will eventually seize control of every system in Toddler 2.0.

I forgot to mention, do not attempt to reinstall Baby 1.0 back to Toddler 2.0. That system is no longer supported and will completely crash Toddler 2.0.

In summary, Toddler 2.0 is an excellent program, but it does have limited memory and cannot learn new applications as quickly as you may like. Please consider buying additional software like Parent Support 7. 

Thank you & Good Luck,

Tech Support

How to make a kids classroom art gallery!

When I first began teaching I put a lot if money back into the program. Then I learned was to be more Recession Chic. Today's teachers have to be quite resourceful and found my parents very willing to help-boy does that lighten the load!
We did a great family classroom project with the parents and kids around picture frames. We requested parents donate an old frame from the Goodwill.
For those kids that insist on taking all their precious art projects home, we had them select a favorite picture to cut out from a magazine.
Voila! Instant kids art gallery!

Cooking Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham with Kids

Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham is one of my favorite books to read to young children. The preschool curriculum get on a cooking kick and we all seem to love experimenting with foods.

What I love about this special way of making the green eggs is that we have the children boil the eggs at home and then bring them in!

The families love to chuckle at the children tiptoeing in with the eggs and warning one another not to drop them. As for the ham, they are not so careful with it, but in the words of our lovable classmate Emma, "Don't worry if you drop the ham, kids. Its pretty tough!"
We hope you enjoy this activity as much as we have!

How to Get Free Classroom Materials

Now a days wallets are thin. We I used to not think twice about purchasing before-is now bought on sale.
And I mean a good sale.
I am learning to be a bit more recession chic when I realized people and businesses really do want to help. They just aren't sure how. It's up to us teachers and caregivers to stick together and do the  fancy footwork it takes to give our kids the best experiences. Here are a few tips I have learned.

How to Get Free Classroom Materials

* Make a list of things you need as well as things you want for the classroom. And hand it out to businesses. Let them know who you are and why you are asking. Follow up with a personalized thank you card. Nothing touches people more than a thank you card from the children.

*Then talk to the parents and find out what they do. Ask them about any materials such as paper, drawing materials, etc. that could be used the the classroom. Often times parents see materials thrown away at the job that the children would love-anything from Styrofoam to computer parts.

*Make a list of the businesses in your local area. I had a lumber yard near me one year that gave us bags of free sawdust. The children loved it in the sensory table. Most copy centers or art stores are willing to give scraps of cardboard or shredded paper. A bridal shop gave us tons of gorgeous scrap fabrics. I saved over $250 dollars on paper and fabric one year!

*Buy supplies in bulk from unconventional places. Team up with other schools or day cares and share the cost.

*Don't forget the garages sales or flea markets. Okay, this takes some time to do, but you'll feel so much better spending $5 on mildly used puzzles the $35 on brand new ones. The kids will never know the difference!

*Check with parents about the toys the children have already out grown. When every classroom does this there will be a plethora of toys to choose from. The only caution is if children recognize it as it once being theirs. This can start a, "You have a lot of es-plaining to do, Lucy!" We ask parents box up toys they will donate out of sight for a while before donation it. It truly does help.

Donations some times means going out and doing the footwork yourself, and with the money you save, you'll feel so much better you did.

The Slug Sandwich

Some things go down easier than others.

 Confronting parents about unpleasant situations with their child has never been at the top of my list. I usually bounce off of coworker or a good friend some of the best ways to approach a parent. I don't know what it is, somehow...they always know. No matter how cheery and delightful I try to be in suggesting a little chat.
Defenses are up immediately.
Then I heard about The Slug Sandwich.

Some things are unpleasant.

S= Sweetness mingled with
L=Love
U=The Unpleasant Parts doused with Understanding
G=Gentleness (Keep it on hand, no matter what reaction you receive)

I learned that a slug sandwich can be administered over a long period, not just within a conversation. I consider myself a pretty good cook but slug sandwiches can only be mastered with a few hard knocks.
I think the sweetness makes anything do down a bit easier.

Have you ever made a slug sandwich?

The Back To School Checklist For New Teachers

There are so many things to think about besides posting up bulletin boards, cubby tags and tying shoes. But what? We remember those first time teacher jitters. This back to school checklist really helped me. I was sure to ask veteran teachers for tips and tricks....and then came up with a few of my own. Enjoy!

The Back to School Checklist for New Teachers! 
10 Needful Tips From the Pros:
1. Get a list of all the children and parents names. Keep a cheat sheet in a cabinet but work on memorizing all the names as soon as possible!

2. Buy a few stacks of thank you cards from a dollar store. Send them out within the first two weeks of school thanking them for allowing yo to share in their child's life.
3. Set up simple, non- messy materials on tables when children enter the room for the first few weeks of school. Kids will need something to fun and engaging to play with and parents feel better leaving if children are engaged in play.
4. Think of some fun, even unconventional props you could use to get the children's attention during transitions or clean up times. A train whistle, kazoo, a silly flashlight, etc. After children become used to the schedule they can sense when activities will end or begin.
5. How will children be lining up or sitting at circle times? Don't assume all the little ones will know what to do. Colored tape is your friend until kids know the routine.
6. Give everyone a classroom tour. I do it as a group. We walk around the room and I tell them where everything is, what it's for, and go over a bit of rules. Keep it simple...the kids won't remember everything but it establishes respect for the materials and learning areas.
7. Be sure to tell them where the bathroom is! It is the most forgotten room! If you are fortunate to have one in your classroom be sure to decorate it with friendly pictures!

8. Keep the Classroom simple. Brimming baskets full of Lego's and sensory tables full of water looks inviting but isn't always practical until the children are familiar with the room and routine. I put out the toys, but half a basket full...Full baskets and such are for after we have mastered clean up times. If the children are doing well with materials...you can always add more to the shelves or baskets later.
9. Be sure to a knowledge kids feelings. Puppets work great in this area. I usually present a special puppet  at circle time and  let the children know he is a bit scared  and nervous his first day of school. I'll ask the children to help him feel comfortable by being his friend. They quickly relate to him and have ideas to help.
10. Don't forget to put the parents at ease! Have a nice letter or present a first day of  hand out of what the kids will be doing. The first day is very special. Letting them know you make play dough together or build sand castles puts parents at ease. Try to have special anecdotal their child did for pick up times to share with them!

Did we leave out anything? Let us know what works for you!

Great Teacher Ideas for Back to School Month!

Making the transition back to school can be fun and exciting for children and families. By promoting a sense of community in the beginning of the school year we create and atmosphere for comfort and friendship for both new and returning families!

Great Ideas for Back to School Month:
The Bagel Bash: Have children make invitations for a bagels or treats at a local park. We like to meet up on a convenient weekend and set up a nice picnic area for parents and families to gather and get to know one another. We have also done it potluck style and created a list!

Smooth Sailing for back to
school month starts with a plan!

The Popcorn Party: Invite families and kids to a popcorn party with punch. Kids a great informal way to sit and have a chat with family and kids.
The Pancake Breakfast: This worked so well for us we did it every month! Have parents and kids come a bit earlier to school for a pancake breakfast. Families sit and talk with the children and one another before they go off to work!

What do you like to do for parents and children during back the to school month?

Tips About School Clothes for Kids

Okay, so July is the biggest month for back to school clothing sales and then August is the next big sweep. Kids grow by leaps and bounds over the summer so school clothes are a must! Before you donate or toss out old clothing check with your child's school to see if their supply is low- you may even want to see it they have a used clothing swap!  Schools often have extra changes of clothing for all those mishaps and we really rely on donations from families. It may also be time to check those earthquake or disaster kit supplies for you home and school. This always need to be updated...I mean, hey, what good is your child's onesie now that he's five, right?
No better time than the present....

Being a Social Teacher

Caring, sensitive adults are ideal social teachers. Unlike preschool peers, parents and teachers draw on extensive emotional resources when they interact with children.

Being a social teacher means we:
* Help describe emotions verbally
* Understand the causes and effects of emotions and help regulate them
* See things from a child’s perspective
*  Assist in interpreting the emotions of others
* Match social interactions to a child’s developmental level
* Regulate their own emotions and understand teachable opportunities
* Appreciate the long-term consequences of social acts

No wonder the core preschool social skills such as empathy, emotional self-control, and communication are best nurtured by parents and families. As teachers we support the development of each child by making sure we connect with parents. For more ways to foster preschool social skills visit us at, ALL TOGETHER WE'RE BETTER.

Color Science and Water Play in Early Childhood Education

"The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds the most discoveries, is not "Eureka!" (I found it!) but "That's funny..."
~Isaac Asimov

When the weather is nice and sunny we live to bring water play both indoors and outdoors. I love letting the children make scientific discoveries on their own. Setting up the right kind of inviting activities not only make for scientific thinking, but open up kids mind to worlds of possibilities.

Setting up Scientific Discoveries
for Kids Through Water Play:

Discovering Color: Gather all yellow toys (legos, cars,small balls and scoops and cups, have a large bin or water table filled with enough water to actually submerge some of the toys completely.  Add blue food coloring to the water (be sure to add just the right amount of blue to get the perfect color of green-check with a yellow toy). When the toys are submerged they actually turn a lovely green color. This can be done with any combination of primary colors (red, blue or yellow) to make secondary colors (green, orange, purple, etc.)

We take dictation of the children and post it on the door for the parents to see what types of conversations the children have while making their scientific discoveries!

where the love is

"Kids go where there is excitement.
They stay where there is love."

~Zig Ziglar

I am always excited for the children when summer begins. The new season means new activites and trips. We also do a lot of water play activites. If we can incorporate water into an everyday activity...we will! I really enjoy the fun and excitement we all have. Winding down at the end of the day is one of my favorite parts as well. I connect with parents as the little ones are sure to draw pictures for family members or make thank you notes of love and appreciation. Just before nap time I will ask the children what their favorite part of the day was,
"I liked playing in the pool!"

"I liked playing at the water table."
"I liked eating pizza!"
"I know, I know," one preschooler said, "I like it when my mom comes and I can tell her all about my day!"
We all clapped and cheered for our day but I couldn't help but remember what the one child said about his mom. The children looked just as excited at pick up time than any other part of the day. Excitement and fun are great and I know we all love school and learning, but home is where their heart is.

The Ounce of Prevention

"Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see."

~Neil Postman, The Disappearance of Childhood (introduction), 1982

 Senator Obama spoke in at the Ounce of Prevention Fund's Spring Luncheon. He acknowledged programs such as these among others for for their innovation and proving at risk children can achieve success. Years later we are seeing that people are truly listening and what we knew to be possible now is coming with a plan.

Understanding Preschoolers and Sharing

"The greatest oak was once a

little nut who held its ground."

I love to have The Toddlers Creed poem up on the preschool room door. A sense of humor and go a long way when a parent is concerned about a child not sharing right away in preschool. The words, developmentally approprate and milestone in development just don't have the same effect when a parent simply wants their child to be everyone's friend and pal.  I actually do like the fact that the preschoolers begin to assert themselves. After all, it is a critical time in their development while they experiment with language. The key for me is to be available to them through the process.
I always tell families, "It's all just fine. Besides, we are all highly trained professionals here."

The Toddlers Creed

If I want it,

it's mine.

If I give it to you and change my mind later,

it's mine

If I can take it away from you,

it's mine.

If I had it a little while ago,

it's mine.

If it's mine,

it will never belong to anybody else,

no matter what.

If we are building something together,

all the pieces are mine.

If it looks just like mine,

it is mine.

Building Skills in Early Childhood Education

" It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." 

~Frederick Douglass

Fostering a positive environment in the child's home proves to be a great foundation for success.
Nobel laureate, James Heckman, discusses how skills build upon skills, which makes it easier to acquire skills for success in future years.  Improving the workforce of next century starts with us building these soft skills up in our children. Starting at the earliest ages birth to age five has been the main course of study.

Know it all.

 "Can we actually "know" the universe?  I mean, it's hard

enough finding your way around in Chinatown."

We had a Dad-parent come in and do an activity with the preschoolers. He said he had had some left over materials from a Solar System activity he and the older sibling had worked on and was positive the kids would love it.
I agreed but also let him know the kids are much younger. The dad is a High School teacher. "Piece of cake." He said.
We saw maps, a short video, and he began to teach the kids the names of the planets using word association. I found it interesting but I noticed the preschoolers squirming and tickling each other after about ten minutes.
I was about to rescue him when one of the kids raised his hand.
"Ah, a question!" The dad said looking rather pleased. "What's the question?"
"Um, do we have to know all this?"
"Oh....no, its just something really cool to know about."
"Oh good." Said the preschooler shaking his head; he looked relieved.
"Well why do you say it like that?" The dad asked.
"Well,this is cool ,'Jamie's Dad', but I have a hard enough time re-a-membering to clean my room."

High Quality Learning Environments

" A three year old child is a being who gets almost as

much fun out of a fifty-six dollar set of swings as it 

does out of finding a small green worm."  

~Bill Vaughan

The importance of High Quality Learing environments has been precipitated by Economist Professor James Heckman. He has done tons of research on why kids who have a great start have a better chance at avoiding the major pitfalls we see so prevalent today. Families prove to be a major source of contributing to the development of young children. This we knew, but it's nice to hear people talking about it....

Soft Skills in Early Childhood Education

 Soft Skills such as perseverance, attention, motivation, and self-confidence contribute greatly to "success in society at large. Professor James Heckman has confirmed skills such as these are not only predictive in academic success scores but for successful adults as well. Needful life skills such as these have a foundation in quality early childhood programs and healthy families.
"Fixing people" before potholes and other American concerns. We're listening....

The Cheering Squad

"A true teacher want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be."

 I am often told about many concerns about children's development and an Early Childhood Educator. Many children have been labeled as delayed, special needs, even some conditions that require medication.

I listen intently, give a nod and smile.

Seeing children at the finish line in the beginning of the year makes them all winners. Now that we are nearing the end of semester many of the labels and tags have fallen away.

I am glad to have part of the cheering squad!

4 Things to Look for Before Potty Training a Child

"Are we there yet?"

Let’s face it, everyone has some pretty interesting insight on how to effectively potty train a child. Well meaning pediatricians give lots of information but are sometimes vague in the approach. Dr. Tony Braselton,  has always advised patience and mutual respect (well said). Then of course, there is the old school method of the naughty child that must be punished for making a puddle.
I have found it unfortunate that many preschools will not take children into programs until they are potty trained. This puts a tremendous amount of pressure no only on the parents but on the child as well. With so much to do, see, touch taste and feel, not all children learn about how their body works after merely strolling on the planet three years.

What I have found is most helpful is if we are aware of what would make children successful potty learners in the first place. Sure, we can all run around placing a child on the potty every half hour but who is really trained then?
I have actually narrowed it down to 4 things to look for before potty training and this will cut down the potty training/learning time by 50%.

4 Things to Look For Before Potty Training a Child

1. The child shows interest in the toilet and when others go potty.
2. The child shows bladder control and can stay dry for long periods of time.
3. The child feels uncomfortable when wet or soiled. He/She will usually tell you before, after or during the process of elimination.
4. The child can remove simple clothing like buttons or snaps. Removing their own clothes is part of this process as well.

Having all four attributes are best. All attributes may not come at the same time, some may manifest early.
Talking to your child very young, getting and reading books about the potty really help encourage and prepare them.
We hope these tips are helpful and let us know how it’s all coming along for you!

Tips For Connecting With Parents

 Everyone is the age of their heart. 

~Guatemalan Proverb

I really appreciate the support from families and parents in the classroom. Often I have been told by parents that they are not sure how to be helpful in the classroom. I really make an effort to set up a comfortable inviting environment for families to be welcome and participate as soon as possible.
It really is no different than setting up a comfy learning environment for kids, I suppose a bit of a gear shift in thinking.

We would love to hear what you do, and feel free to send a back link to your site.


Setting The Stage With Parents:
*Get bulk packets of Thank you cards and and colorful blank cards to have on hand.
*Memorize the names of every parent at the beginning of the year. I posted a cheat sheet in my teachers cabinet. There is nothing sweeter than a persons name.
*Getting to know parents and finding out what types of skills they have can really work to your benefit. Sewing, typing, computer, these are skills parents and extended families may be willing to share.

Positive Connections With Parents:
*Make sure you give families a call every now and then to give good news. I call usually every month to month and a half if I don't get much contact with them.
*If a child is out sick more than 2 days definitely give them a call.
*I have always been big on cards. Personal Thank You cards when a parent does something is a really big deal, not only to the child but for me as well.
I will also send a child's milestone achievement in a card as well.

Anything I can do to add a special touch, I will. Balancing can time is difficult with so many little ones and families. Being organized really helps!
It's never too late or too early to get started on great relationships...