As you make plans for 2020, here are 20 ideas to get you off to a creative start.

For you

1. Do something you have never done before. (What will it be?)
2. Wear an item of clothing or jewelry you have never worn.
3. Notice the change of the seasons and identify your observations.
4. Drive to work using a different route.
5. Try a new recipe or change the ingredient in an old favorite.
6. Wear two different earrings or two different shoes.
7. Use a new word or phrase in your conversations. Observe the response.
8. Bring something you love to work and share it with others.
9. Actively listen to someone else’s story.
10. Have a conversation with someone significantly older or younger than you.

With your children

11. Respond positively to children’s unique ideas. (Wow, amazing idea! You are really thinking.)
12. Read a new story to your children that is intriguing and thought provoking.
13. Add a large piece of colorful fabric to the block center and observe what happens.
14. Include a beautiful new item in your classroom. (a picture, sculpture, pottery, weaving, collage)
15. Provide a new center in your classroom that builds on your children’s interest. (Nature Center, Fitness Spa, Inventors Lab)
16. Introduce a finger play or poem that you haven’t used in several years. Add motions, sound effects, or music to create a new version.
17. Add a collection of interesting hats to the Home Living Center.
18. Collect paper that has texture and include it in the Art Studio for painting, cutting, and constructing.
19. Think about ways to give your children more choices during the day so they can become decision makers.
20. Design a quiet space that will provide a place where a child can find a place to calm, think, or have creative ideas.
21. Ask your children what they would like to add or change in their environment.  Let them help make some of these changes.

Everyday we have the opportunity to try something new or do it the same way we have always done it. Make 2020 the year you break out and try new things, adventure into new possibilities, and nurture your creativity.  You and your children will be glad you did.

Grow creatively,

I just returned from an amazing event with New York State Early Childhood Education teachers called NYSED Professional Learning Opportunities: An Inspirational Night with Dr. Rebecca Isbell, author of Nurturing Creativity.  The session was filmed inside the beautiful WMHT Public Media TV studio where we explored the creative potential of young children. We examined aspects of creative development during their early years including their ability to communicate, collaborate, and problem solve. The exciting evening was planned and implemented by the leaders of the NYS Department of Education: Early Childhood Division, and was led by Karen, Jane, and Rebecca (not pictured), Associates in the Office of Early Learning.

After working all day, these fabulous teachers were still energetic, responsive, and engaged. These dedicated teachers will return to their classrooms and create wonderful environments that will nurture their young learners.

It was such a joyful experience for me to have the opportunity to work with these exceptional early childhood professionals who are striving to integrate creative possibilities into their classroom while valuing the unique responses of their children. They are at the “tipping point” for getting students ready to thrive today and in the 21^st Century!

Creative teachers nurture creative young children. Go NYS!

I recently returned to my special place in the mountains and I reflected on how I came to love and appreciate nature and beauty.

When I was a young child, my favorite and frequent outing was to travel to the Smoky Mountains National Park about an hour from my home. The best part was jumping from rock to rock in the mountain stream that ran through the Chimney picnic area.  We would sit on boulders in the middle of the stream and eat my mother’s pimento cheese sandwiches. I was not a coordinated child, but I loved to jump from rock to rock often landing in the cold mountain water. I was never scolded for my missteps. My dear mother simply always came equipped bringing little Becky a complete change of clothes, so when the inevitable happened, she was prepared.

I was blessed to have loving parents who took me to the forest, parks, and lakes instilling in me a love for the natural world.  When we saw a beautiful site, a massive tree, a blooming flower, a fern, or a waterfall my father would always say “Take a picture in your mind of this and you will have it with you forever.”

Today I returned to that mountain stream that I took a picture of over 50 years ago. I was amazed that the picture that I often remember was the same one I had carried in my mind since that time.

Young children need to experience, explore, and treasure the outdoors and all its beautiful splendor. And that love will last them a lifetime.

Share the outdoors with a young child!

It has been a busy month working with diverse Early Childhood Programs across the country from Texas to New York to Michigan.

At each program, I found the place and people were unique and very interesting.  At Humble School District in Texas, an energetic team was led by Jennifer who, with her dedicated team, planned and implemented an Academy for their PreK programs from 18 different sites. The Conference was held in a new middle school that was so beautiful, sleek, and massive. I was so encouraged working and interacting with these warm and responsive PreK teachers. They were so focused on finding ways to nurture young children’s thinking and providing a language-rich environment during the critical early years.  Together we explored many possibilities for integrating these 4C’s into their classroom. This strong program and dedicated teachers in Humble will have a positive impact on many young children in TX this fall and for many years.

In Grand Ledge, Michigan, we explored the skills needed for young children to thrive in the 21^st Century: Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, and Critical Thinking. We suggested another important C: Confidence, which requires trying new things, taking risks, and being persistent. The capable director of this program is Breanna who was assisted by Maria and Devon. Throughout the day these amazing educators participated in small group activities that demonstrated how thinking and language skills could be integrated into their early childhood classrooms.

In one hands-on activity, participants were asked to create something from the ingredients of a clear plastic bag containing a collection of open-ended materials: a straw, pipe cleaner, PVC elbow, piece of ribbon, a nut cup, rubber band and a small twig.  These creative teachers came up with original ideas and confidently shared them with us. We ended the day with humorous stories about our experiences while working with young children. We explored the meaning of some funny recent happenings and laughed and laughed. An early childhood teacher needs a great sense of humor, and these teachers certainly had this important characteristic. The young children in these classrooms are getting off to a great start, which will last a lifetime.

When flying back home, I reflected on my wonderful adventures with these Early Childhood Teachers.  It was amazing to acknowledge our shared vision and celebrate each teacher’s importance in the lives of young children.

Together we can change our world, one child at a time!

The Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation honored 50 preschool teachers this past week in Philadelphia, PA. These award-winning teachers experienced an amazing weekend in a luxury hotel with incredible food and a festive Award Ceremony that celebrated the recipients. All of this was planned and implemented by the foundation established by Kay Lokoff in honor of her daughter who was an early childhood teacher. Today, the foundation is led by Jamie Lokoff, with his brother Robert, Sharon Bell, and a small team of competent people who have been involved since 1987.

It was my honor to be the speaker for the teacher’s breakfast and the Keynote for the Award Ceremony.  I knew this was going to be a wonderful experience for me afterall – these are my people! However, I was not prepared for how magnificent it actually was! I understood this would be a transforming experience for these early childhood teachers who are seldom recognized for their important work and their powerful impact on young children and their families. This weekend was a wonderful tribute to each of them for the important work they do.

On Saturday morning, I had the opportunity to listen to these impressive early childhood teachers speak about their work and describe the brilliant projects they had submitted as part of the application process. The 50 teachers selected for this award received a $1,000 grant with $500 to be used in implementing their projects in their classroom. The projects ranged from a Sensory Outdoor Playground, to Art Shack, and to Literacy Materials.  The other $500 in the grant was awarded to the teachers to acknowledge his or her dedication as a child care teacher. I was shocked when the teachers talked of getting their car fixed or paying a long due medical bill.  If they were paid the wages they deserve, this would not be the way to spend their awarded money. Whatever their choice was, however, I am sure it will be used well and appreciated.

The Terri Lynne Lokoff Family and Foundation have chosen to turn the terrible loss of their beloved daughter and teacher into an amazing celebration each year for a special group of early childhood teachers. To these award-winning teachers, this celebration has clearly demonstrated that their work and dedication is appreciated not just by their parents and young children, but by the National Child Care Teacher Awards! This designation will build their confidence in their abilities and inspire them to mentor other early childhood teachers. Jill M Corea was selected as the 2019 Preschool Teacher of the Year.

These 50 marvelous early childhood teachers will always remember this important day at the 2019 National Child Care Teacher Awards. My own life was enhanced by meeting these amazing teachers and working with the Foundation’s Family who chose this miraculous way to remember Terri Lynne Lokoff.

Thank you for including me,

 

 Please visit their website to learn more about this wonderful foundation and the application process: https://www.tllccf.org/