This past month I was given a second chance!

My husband and I were having lunch. When we left, I noticed my right arm had fallen asleep, my cheek became numb, and my speech was slurred. My husband, an optometrist, immediately took me to the ER, which was 15 minutes away. After an MRI, they administered the “clot-busting” infusion. After 24 anxious hours, I regained consciousness. The second MRI showed no signs of a stroke. I am thrilled to say I have entirely recovered, and I want to share with you the importance of recognizing the symptoms of a stroke. A helpful acronym to remember is FAST – Face, Arm, and Slurred Speech. The T is to remind us that speed of getting the treatment is critical. If you see any of these symptoms on yourself or someone else, call 911 (US) immediately. They will arrive and begin treatment while notifying the ER to be ready.

I am thankful to have a second chance, and you can help another potential stroke victim have another chance, too!

We also have a second chance after Covid to create an amazing environment for young children that will help their development blossom to their full potential. We can re-establish a place designed for the specific way young children learn: holistically, actively, and joyfully. This place will be filled with opportunities to play and choose where they will be involved. The materials in this space will be interesting, allowing many different ways to be used and varied ways to create. This wonderful changing space will be filled with art, music, and movement opportunities to enrich young children’s world and extend their thinking. It will include opportunities to use the 21st Century competencies: Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, and Problem Solving. Children’s ideas, work, and creations will be treasured and valued!

At the center of this inspiring environment will be a close relationship between the teacher and each unique young child in their classroom. They will value each child’s capabilities and possibilities in the engaging space.

We both have a second chance to do things in new and better ways!

In this continuous year of uncertainty and mammoth changes we need to think about, how do we make the best beginning of this new year for both young children and their teachers? What are some of the ways we can help make the transition from isolation to group continuity? How can you build a caring, and learning community?

It is important that we establish a community of learners that will thrive in this unsettling time. Young children need a safe place – emotionally and physically – where they feel secure. They need to feel valued and supported by adults who can be trusted to take care of them. You can create that amazing environment that will encourage these wonderful and capable children by planning with these few suggestions in mind:

Building relationships

Every child needs someone who thinks they are wonderful and capable. How can you help your young children understand that you can be that person to them? You listen to them, you observe their interests, you follow their ideas, you treasure their uniqueness. You demonstrate your positive feelings, using words to support these thoughts, and their involvement in group work and projects that interest them.

Slowing the Pace

This is not the time to rush, push, or demand. This is the time to slow down, take your time, don’t be in a hurry, and enjoy each precious moment of your children’s discoveries. Observe what your children are doing, what they are curious about, who they are working with, and what they are saying. This slower pace will allow them to move at their own speed, retry, and move on. It will also give you the time to best understand the unique abilities of each child and determine ways to inspire those capabilities.

Make notes, videos, and pictures of what you are seeing for future inspiration. Your insights will help you shape additional  possibilities and opportunities that match your children.

Finding more time to Play

Play allows young children to influence their world, to work through problems, and control the events as they are happening. During play, children can adapt and adjust to the situation, collaborate about the experiences, and build confidence in their growing capabilities. Their language will be nurtured as they use words to accompany their activity and listen to others as they share their thoughts. By providing more time to play, including open-ended materials to use, and opportunities for them to interact with others, you are creating a place where children can become collaborators, creative thinkers, and problem-solvers.

Integrate Music and the Arts

The arts can provide safe ways for children to express themselves, to explore their feelings, and use different tools in these engaging experiences. These unique ideas and use of new materials encourage and support young creative children with different abilities and capabilities. You value their work, so celebrate their possibilities as they are immersed in these expressive arts.

 

This is a new year for you and your young children.  You both need a caring and safe environment in which to grow and think creatively. You can provide that nurturing place and the loving relationships that are needed. You will find great joy and satisfaction by knowing you are providing a “safe haven in a storm” for your young children!

Today is a new beginning!

 

During these dark times, there is a light shining on early childhood education. The country, media, and economists are recognizing that Early Childhood Education is essential for the United States and the families of young children. We have seen women, mothers, and families being devastated economically because of the lack of sufficient child care and inadequate funding for programs.

We are at the tipping point. A time when interest, concern, and information is focusing on the benefits of quality early childhood programs. If we join together to make our voices heard, we have the opportunity to make things happen. If we are to push the tipping point to positive action, we must be strong, loud, and focused on the needs of young children, their families, and the teachers who work with them.

The time is now! Not since the 1980’s have we had this opportunity to gain support for young children. How can we gather the voices needed for improvement, support, and the vision for quality programs for all young children during their critical stages of development? How can we gain support for families as they try to work while trying to provide a nurturing home environment?

We have watched as other countries throughout the world have gained support, funding, and amazing programs for young children. It is time for us to demand that young children and families in the United States deserve quality programs!

Unite for Young Children,

For years, I have wanted to learn how to play the Native American Flute. I thought about it, checked on places to purchase, but never had time to follow through.

A couple of weeks ago, our local paper ran a story about an individual named James. He lives in my community, about 5 miles from my home in Jonesborough. His story was intriguing to me. He had been taught how to make and play the flute by his grandfather and father, both of Cherokee descent.

I saw this as my chance to learn how to play the Native American Flute. Every year I try to do something I have never done before, and I decided this year I would play my own authentic flute.

My husband Ben and I drove the short distance to his home and shop. James had begun making flutes again after his retirement. When confronted with a personal health crisis, he chose to return to the craft. He once again began creating beautiful wooden flutes reminiscent of his father and grandfather.

I found James to be creative and interesting. He was kind enough to show us how each flute was made and tuned. What a wonderful process! In sharing his talent and knowledge, he was keeping alive the tradition of his family.

As we talked, we learned we had a personal connection. Over 40 years ago, Ben had fitted James with his first pair of glasses, at around 6-years-old. We learned further that James also was one of my students from when I taught music at his elementary school. This was my first teaching job after graduating from college. This revelation had brought us full circle.

This amazing story and connection was the highlight of our holiday season. We reestablished a relationship with James, saw his creative process, and purchased a beautiful Native American Flute (tuned in G). I can hear the music in my mind, and now it’s up to me to replicate it. This season, learn something new, reestablish friendships, and value the creative work of an artist!

Happy Holidays,