Dr. Rebecca Isbell’s Blog

Joyful News

This week the town of Jonesborough, Tennessee, created a Story Trail behind the International Storytelling Center.

I am thrilled that they have selected my children’s book Everyone Has a Story to Tell to be displayed throughout the trail. There you receive an invitation to read each page of the story about the fabulous tellers who live and visit this storytelling capital. This book was created in collaboration with Marilyn Buchanan and a local illustrator, William B. Bledsoe. It is a story of two children who walk through historic Jonesborough, collecting stories from local residents and visiting international storytellers.

This beautiful display of the pages from the storybook was funded through a Tennessee State Literacy grant. If you have an opportunity to visit Jonesborough or attend the National Storytelling Festival, enjoy this storybook as you stroll and tell your story, too.

Special Notice: The International National Storytelling Festival this year is Oct. 6-8, 2023.

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A Creative Teacher: Tenesha Wells-Eason

Today we are featuring an early childhood educator who works with children, birth to three, through the Great Start Pathways to Success program in Sanford, FL. She provides parent education specifically related to the development of essential early literacy skills of their children. In addition, Tenesha serves as a Resource Teacher for the VPK program. Her work clearly demonstrates how many different roles early childhood educators can assume if they are dedicated to young children and their families.

In all these different roles, Tenesha demonstrates her amazing creativity as she flexibly moves to work with these different age groups and adjusts to their varied needs. These are characteristics of creative teachers: flexibility, adaptability, and fluency of possibilities.

Let’s celebrate today Tenesha Wells-Eason, a creative teacher who is being recognized for her many contributions to young children and parents in Florida.

I BELIEVE THAT WE need the most creative people TO WORK with the youngest children!

In an effort to recognize other “creative teachers” who work with young children, I ask you to nominate a teacher you have worked with or observed that can be identified as a creative teacher. Think of the teacher doing unique things, creating an amazing environment, or being a marvelous storyteller. Then simply fill out an e-form at this link. We will feature many of them in my future blogs.

Let’s celebrate these teachers who are amazing and spark the creative thinking of the young children who are lucky enough to be in their light.

Help me honor some of the strong and talented teachers who are in early childhood education!
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Music Brings Joy

In early childhood, music has long been an important element of our programs. Music has been personally meaningful for me from four years old to now. First singing in church and later in choirs and then with young children. We can also observe how important music is when the infant in the crib moves their body to music or the PreK child composing a song to accompany their activity.

New research has supported what we already know about the powerful connection of music. We now have brain scans that show how music lights up the different parts of the brain and makes amazing new connections.

Two strong and talented women have renewed our interest in music and the connection to young children. Debbie Clements has shown us how singing and books can be used together to encourage and support young children during their early years. Maryann “Mar” Harman and her music have helped us learn about the new findings and renewed our efforts to include music in our early childhood programs.

Today, let’s sing a song and dance to a gig. Experience again how music brings joy to your classroom and your children.

The more we sing together, the happier we are!

In an effort to recognize other “creative teachers” who work with young children, I ask you to nominate a teacher you have worked with or observed that can be identified as a creative teacher. Think of the teacher doing unique things, creating an amazing environment, or being a marvelous storyteller. Then simply fill out an e-form at this link. We will feature many of them in my future blogs.

Let’s celebrate these teachers who are amazing and spark the creative thinking of the young children who are lucky enough to be in their light.

Help me honor some of the strong and talented teachers who are in early childhood education!

Nominate a Teacher

May we honor them and be one of them!

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Let’s Celebrate Creative Teachers

Today we continue to recognize “Creative Teachers.” I would like you to meet Beverly (Dugger) Wigington. Early in her career, she was a toddler teacher. I have often said, “Working with toddlers takes a very special person.” They must be very flexible and able to go with the flow of the changeable toddlers. Beverly was that special person who understood toddler development, could guide their actions, and enjoyed their endless energy. I watched her “herd” small groups of toddlers to very appropriate and active group time. I learned from her that toddlers could enjoy group time if specifically designed for them. She integrated music, frequent movement, and carefully selected stories that invited their participation. I was always amazed at how these toddlers engaged in her creative experiences and showed great joy in their interactions. A creative teacher like Beverly can capture the interest of young children, adapt to their responses, and enjoy the exciting process.

In an effort to recognize other “creative teachers” who work with young children, I ask you to nominate a teacher you have worked with or observed that can be identified as a creative teacher. Think of the teacher doing unique things, creating an amazing environment, or being a marvelous storyteller. Then simply fill out an e-form at this link. We will feature many of them in my future blogs.

Let’s celebrate these teachers who are amazing and spark the creative thinking of the young children who are lucky enough to be in their light.

Help me honor some of the strong and talented teachers who are in early childhood education!

Nominate a Teacher

May we honor them and be one of them!

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Strong Women in Early Childhood: International Day Celebrating Women

Early Childhood is a profession that includes many strong and influential women. These amazing women have established the field of early childhood and set high goals for us to achieve. They have been strong advocates for the field as it grew. We must continue to move forward to secure more quality and expanded programs for all young children and their families.

When I first began thinking about these fantastic women, I was concerned that I would never be able to identify all these important people. I wanted to name a few that have impacted my life and given me a model to emulate in my own practices. These strong women have shaped many aspects of early childhood. Below I have identified some of the things that specifically influenced me.

Strong Women in the Field of Early Childhood Education

Sue Bredekamp: Fighting for “Developmentally Appropriate Practices”

Lilian Katz: Project Approach – following the interest of the children.

Sara Smilansky: The Value of Socio-Dramatic Play for All Children

Betty Bowman: Leader of the Field: As busy as she was, she took the time to write a letter of support for our Ph.D. program.

Shirley Raines: First Early Childhood person to be a University President. The University of Memphis.

Ann Terrell: Current President of NAEYC, whom I meet at a NAEYC conference in DC. A strong leader with a soft personal touch.

Lella Gandini: Introduced the Reggio Emilia to the US and me.

Who has influenced your thinking in early childhood education?

Have you thanked them for their positive influence on your life? We must appreciate our history to shape the future. Watch for more shakers and movers in Early Childhood in my next blogs.

I am proud of our profession and the strong women who built the foundation.

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Doing Something New

When reviewing articles and books about nurturing creativity, there is often the suggestion to “do something new.”  Doing something you have never done before activates your thinking and challenges you to adjust to new experiences.

For the past week, I’ve been taking a break and visiting Beaufort and Charleston, SC.  In looking at the historical sites of interest, I saw a tour that captured my attention. A visit to a Kazoo factory. Never had I visited a place that only made Kazoos. We not only saw how they made 5,000 Kazoos a day, but we made our very own Kazoo. When we finished, we played our Kazoos in a new band. Such a treat.

Have you done something new that you have never done before? Think of the many possibilities and choose one that captures your interest. And just do it! Think about how you felt during the process and what other ideas you had as you tried something new.

Today I want you to meet Mary Myron, a creative teacher, and caring person. I had the privilege of working with her in the ETSU Child Study Center and the University School, where she worked with young children, specifically Kindergarten.  She demonstrated her creativity in so many ways. She tried new things and did activities in unique ways.  One of my favorite creative ideas was her “Stage Center”. This visually attractive area had a raised stage (made from pallets) and a curtain that opened and closed. A box of dress items and fabric to create the outfits for the characters that the children wanted to include in their play. The children created their play, rehearsed, and presented it to their class. The entire production was amazing; the children were writers, performers, and audience.

Mary is a creative teacher who inspires her children to be creative players too.

I hope you will join me in my Circle of Creativity in March. We will have three sessions together and you will receive a copy of my book on Creativity. There will be one follow-up day in April if you cannot attend all three of the sessions in March. This collaborative group of early childhood educators will focus on developing your creativity, designing inspiring environments, and applying the suggestions to your classroom.

Give yourself the gift of growing and developing your creative abilities.

We will grow together.

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The Influence of Creative Teachers

Over the years, I have worked with many early childhood teachers and future teachers. It has been something that has given me great joy as I watched these folks grow and gain confidence in their capabilities.

Many have taught me much about being creative and influencing young children. In January of 2023, I began an effort to reconnect with some of these people and reestablish our bond.

In the next few months, I will introduce you to some educators who have shown me what creative teachers of young children can be. I will give you some anecdotes demonstrating their creative thinking and unique ideas that inspired young children.

Dr. Angie Baker, Professor at King University

Let’s meet Dr. Angie Baker. When I first met Angie, she was a preschool teacher and later a Kindergarten teacher in a low-income public school. She was also my student in her Master’s program and our doctoral program in Early Childhood Education.

Visiting her classrooms for many years, I saw examples of her creative abilities inspiring children. She loved music and wove it throughout her day. She had learning centers that were unique and never seen before in a classroom. One of my favorites was her Music Center. She brought in an old record player and collected 45 rpm records which the children watched as they turned around. She turned a refrigerator crate into a recording studio, a place for the children to compose and sing new songs they recorded. These tapes were labeled and displayed for other children to hear. The child who had created the music became the star of their classmates, and their work was celebrated.

This amazing teacher demonstrated to me how a personal interest – music – can be shared with her children and inspire them to create melodies, patterns, and performances. Angie is a creative teacher who has positively influenced many young children who have felt supported in their efforts. She has mentored other teachers in their journey to become more creative people.

Next week on my blog, I will introduce you to another creative early childhood teacher. It is my hope that you will recognize some creative things you are including with your children.

You can nurture your creativity and begin to interweave new and exciting ideas into your classroom. Together we become more creative.

 

Join our small group of “Circle of Creativity” to expand your possibilities!

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Are You Creative?

When I am doing professional development with early childhood educators, I often ask them, “Are you creative?”

Too often, the resounding response is “No.”

I am always surprised by this response. I don’t believe anyone can be an educator of young children who is not a creative thinker. You are challenged to be creative everyday. For example, you have no red paint for Valentine’s cards. What can you do? You don’t have enough apples for a snack, but then you find the “heart” when you cut them in half. It is freezing, and you can’t find hats or gloves for all the children to go outside. How can you adapt? You forget the words for the children’s favorite song, so you improvise or compose some new words to fit the tune. Perhaps you don’t think solving these problems is being creative…but IT IS!  It is personal creativity that you use each day.

Would you like to unlock more of your creativity and set your spirit free? Perhaps you would like to have more ideas and possibilities to use with your children. Would you like to gain confidence in your ability to respond to challenges in the classroom?

The “Circle of Creativity” sessions, offered in March, may just be the spark that will help you unleash your amazing creative possibilities. You have the ability to think in new ways, design a creative environment, and be a model of creative thinking for your children. In this small, focused group, we will explore our capabilities and find new possibilities.

I am excited about this new opportunity that has never been offered before. I invite you to be a part of the first class of 15 early childhood educators as we gain confidence in our abilities and nurture our creativity!

Let us explore new possibilities for personal growth!

Specifics for joining the inspiring group are below:

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Are You Happy?

As the New Year begins, many publications and books are investigating what makes us happy.

It is not surprising to read studies that explain that money doesn’t make us happy, although it can buy things that bring us pleasure such as experiences, travel, or books.

But in all the articles I have read on the topic in the last two months, one elements stands out as essential for us to feel content and joyful.

Relationships

This can be close friends who we confide in regularly or small groups where we have a shared interest. Throughout my adult life, my best friends have been early childhood educators. We shared interests, concerns, and were supportive of each other during life’s mountains and valleys. Early childhood educators tend to be positive folks, skilled listeners, and know how to ask just the right questions.

When I first began teaching Kindergarten in a small elementary school, I still remember how alone I felt. There was no one to show me the ropes of being a new teacher, share helpful tips, or discuss what my students were doing in my classroom.  It was me alone.

Today we recognize how important it is to provide a helpful mentor to a new teachers or a teacher making a transition.

We can do so much more to help teachers feel like a part of a community of educators. We can provide opportunities for teams of teachers to meet together, support each other, and share new possibilities. Or host social events for early childhood educators in a school, region, or state where there is both learning and times to interact with others.

Being a part of a profession helps us feel connected and find others who share our vision and assist us as we grow and develop. Early Childhood Education is a fine profession with a long history of striving for quality programs for young children and their families. It includes valuing those who work with young children during their critical early years.

Is there a teacher or caregiver you can support, connect with, and develop a friendship? This connection will not only bring you happiness but make your new connection happy too.

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2023 is a New Year with Amazing Possibilities!

In 2022, we learned that:

Relationships are Significant

  • We need people and relationships with others to be content.
  • We learned about ourselves and the strengths of others through conversations, collaborations, and working with colleagues.

Play is a Powerful Way of Learning

  • Children are engaged, joyful, and learning in meaningful ways when they play.
  • Children develop and use the abilities they are learning during play.

Movement and Outdoor Play are Essential

  • Children need to move, explore, and discover the natural world throughout the day.
  • We recognize the brain and body connection that supports learning and development.

Flexibility is Important

  • As the world changes, new situations happen, and plans change. We must be able to adapt to these different directions.
  • How do we change? Personally, I had to adapt to some health changes that made it difficult for me to travel to sites for keynote and breakout sessions. For the past seven years, that has been a major part of my life. Traveling from Italy, Denmark, Texas, California, New York, Arkansas and Alabama, and many more wonderful places and working with marvelous early childhood educators.

My Personal Adjustments

Now, I must be creative and discover new ways to support early childhood educators. In 2023, I will present some new and exciting possibilities for us to work together. This change in focus can keep me contributing to the profession. I love to feel connected to the people who feed my spirit.

Join my new group, “Circle of Creativity!”

This small, intimate group will work (max.15 members) together and focus on “Nurturing Creativity.” I am excited to be doing what I love: teaching and collaborating with early childhood educators.

Specifics for joining the inspiring group are below:

 

Have a wonderful New Year with many new possibilities for personal growth.

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