Dr. Rebecca Isbell’s Blog

Give Your Brain a Break!

Our brain is working, sorting, and making connections all day long. My world, like yours, is filled with creative work, in-depth projects, and many personal responsibilities. Some include: books to be written, selecting words to explain ideas, using conversations to build relationships, and presentations to develop. These diverse tasks are so time consuming that few moments remain for thinking creatively or nurturing an interesting idea.

Much of the literature on creativity emphasizes the need for us to take a break from all the busyness that keeps our mind on high alert, running on adrenaline, and stressed out from our high expectations. It is difficult to find a way to relax our mind, clear our heads, and experience the joy in the moment.

For the past two weeks I have had the incredible opportunity to relax, not think about deadlines, and to take in the beauty of a new place… Portugal. There is something about being in such a beautiful place, surrounded by ornate architecture built thousands of years ago, unique hand painted pottery, delicious and fresh food, and interacting with interesting people that helps relieve the stress and put our lives in perspective.

By the time I returned home my creative juices were flowing, and new projects were developing in my brain.

If you can’t go to Portugal, you can find a quiet place and take some time for yourself in a National Park, forest, or even your own backyard where you can clear your mind, turn off the phone, and simply enjoy the beauty around you. This quiet time will allow you brain to unwind, delete unnecessary junk, and open your senses to the amazing world around you. This break will give you renewed energy, and new ideas that you have not experienced in a while. You will be amazed at your creative possibilities that are lying dormant, but rise to consciousness when given a break!

I often encourage teachers, my students, and colleagues to take some time off during breaks. If you are going to work during the break, take a few days to disconnect and immerse yourself in a different environment.

After that relaxing down time you will feel better, be filled with more creative possibilities, and finish the project you wanted to complete!

Take a brain break!

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A Life Changing Experience for Early Childhood Teachers

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/

 

 

 

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Collaboration: An Important Element Needed for the 21st Century

This past weekend I had the opportunity to see effective collaboration in action in Birmingham, Alabama.  A team of professionals from Childcare Resources were guided by a competent and caring leader, Amy Bradley. These women worked together to plan and implement a quality conference that provided professional development to many early childhood educators.

Collaborative groups share responsibilities, adapt and adjust to changes, and communicate to each other about their important contributions in their roles. It was great to observe all these things occurring during the conference. The participants at the conference felt the positive attitudes of the group, saw their effective organization demonstrated, and appreciated the sessions in the program.

How wonderful it was for me to do the keynote on 21st Century Skills which included the 4C’s – while observing Collaboration working so effectively!

As we plan professional development opportunities for your early childhood educators we need to strive to be a collaborative team – just like this fabulous group in Birmingham!

Remember the 4 C’s: Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, and Critical Thinking!

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April Snow Does NOT Deter Early Childhood Educators!

Carmen Albert, Gwenn Elmblad, Dr. Rebecca Isbell, Eva Hatfield and Corey Holcomb

I am just back from the Upper Peninsula, Michigan, where I provided the keynote and closing session for a wonderful early childhood conference – IMPACT: Instilling More Play and Creative Thinking – held at Bay College in Escanaba.  Lake Michigan was frozen but the early childhood educators at the conference were so warm and welcoming to me! The morning of my keynote we experienced an April snow – but these MI folks did not let the snow stop them!  They came, participated, collaborated, and were inspired by the excellent sessions they attended.

This conference was organized and implemented by a seven-person board. It is truly amazing what a small group of people can accomplish when they are hardworking and dedicated.  This was clearly demonstrated as these professionals shared a mission of supporting young children, their teachers, and quality programs through professional development.

One of my favorite things at conferences is chatting with the early childhood educators during the day, at lunch, and after sessions. They share their interesting stories with me about their work and ways they interact with young children.  I learned about infant teachers who respect the preferences of babies, preschool teachers who recognized the creative potential of their children, a director who strives to hold all the pieces together, and a Children’s Museum director with fascinating ideas. What a wonderful profession I am in, with so many creative and dedicated people!

I am thankful that I had the opportunity to communicate and collaborate with such special people.

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Trying Something New

A frequent suggestion for strengthening your creativity is to “do something you have never done before.”

So, inspired by the quote, I have decided to do something new and different – something I have never done before! I am participating in an ALL ONLINE Conference, “Transform Challenging Behavior” developed by Barb O’Neil.

Barb interviewed me and videotaped our conversation which will be shown during the April 3-9, 2019 conference. We discussed the importance of the development of creativity in today’s young children as well as few other topics including storytelling to young listeners.

It was an interesting experience, but the knowledge that the video would be seen by thousands was daunting. It is indeed challenging to try something new, but we benefit from the challenge and the experience.

Here’s a preview from my video:

Watch me on my very first online conference and let me know what you think and the questions you want to discuss. The conference is free, and it is just a click away!

Let’s grow more creatively every day and see you in “cyberspace!”

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A New Year with Limitless Possibilities: 10 Ideas for Nurturing Your Creativity

As we move into 2019, we have the opportunity to think about this New Year and decide how we can nurture our own creativity. In all aspects of our lives we can stretch our thinking, try new things, and find joy in the small happenings.

Ten ideas for nurturing your creativity in this new year:

  1. Notice the beautiful things in your world: Succulent plants, 3D-art or sculptures, a pattern in a scarf or wall hanging, a bow in a child’s hair, and the shining stones during a walk. (So many beautiful things if we take the time to see!).
  2. Carry a “thinking journal” with you wherever you go: Each day hundreds of ideas and possibilities fly though our conscious mind—only to be last forever because we have not documented it. If you have a small notebook or journal with you it makes it possible for you to catch and keep the idea!
  3. Wear something you have never worn before: Patterned socks, a unique hat, a brightly colored stole, or something in your closet that you thought were so beautiful, but you never had the courage to wear it.
  4. Create a quiet place in your environment where you can read, think, listen to music, or meditate. It can be a tiny, tiny space but it should contain things that you love and bring you joy. Of course, you need a comfortable place where you can lounge. Make it a habit to visit this quiet place every day.
  5. Read a book, blog, or article that will stretch your thinking: Perhaps a new topic or something you have always been interested in but couldn’t find the time to explore.
  6. Reflect on your day: At the end of your day, when things have finally quietened down, reflect by focusing on moments and events that were special, made your heart sing, and built your creative confidence.
  7. Find time to play with children, family members, or colleagues: Play is intrinsically motivating, and it allows us the freedom to try new ideas without fear of failure. After all, play is pretending, imagining, and exhilarating.
  8. Reconnect with a friend, colleague, or relative that has a positive attitude and has many amazing ideas. Collaborating with a creative person will ignite new ideas and possibilities for you. Brainstorming with others often produces a path to opportunities that you might not have generated on your own.
  9. Identify music, recordings, stations, and instruments that lift your spirits and inspire you. Listen to these when your spirits are down, or when you are thinking of having a “pity party.” Sing along, tap your toe, or just enjoy listening.
  10. Recognize that you are a Creative person filled with amazing ideas and unique opportunities. When something occurs that reminds you of your creative capabilities, treasure it, write it down, and celebrate your special talent.

As we work with young children and colleagues each day, we are demonstrating what an innovative thinker looks like. We model behaviors that show creative thinking, and we gain confidence in our creative abilities.

May 2019 be filled with Creativity and Joyful Learning!

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NAEYC 2019 Conference in Washington, D.C.

Join us at an exciting meeting for Early Childhood Professionals where we can reconnect with friends, gain new information, collect amazing creative ideas, and have time to play!

We would like to invite you to our session:

Thursday Nov. 15 at 3:00-4:30 in the Marriott Marquis.  We will be in Marquis Salon 9/10!

“What the World Needs Now: Creative Young Children who can Communicate, Collaborate, and Problem Solve.”

Sonia Yoshizawa and I will be sharing the skills that are essential for our Young Children to thrive in the 21st Century.  It will a lively time with wonderful visuals, real stories, and lots of laughter.  We will also be sharing some unique ideas that can be used in your classroom to spark creative thinking in your children.

New studies have identified a frightening decline in young children’s creativity. The challenge is that young children in our classroom today will be living in a very different world with expanded knowledge, new jobs, and challenging issues. We want to nurture our creative thinkers so they will be able to be successful in this changing environment.  An essential element in this process is creative teachers who can inspire and value innovative ideas, encourage their communication, and provide opportunities to collaborate.  Together we can build on the positive abilities of young children and design a fascinating environment that will support and challenge their creative thinking.

Come join us to be inspired and ready for the challenge of “What the World Needs Now.”  

Let’s connect and find ways to build creative thinkers!

 

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A Very Special Invitation to my Friends and Colleagues in Texas

 

I am thrilled to be providing the Keynote for the Texas AEYC on October 12, 2018 in Galveston, TX! This is like returning to my second home where I can be with all the wonderful early childhood educators I have worked with in Texas.

My keynote is focused on The Challenge of the 21st Century; Nurturing Young Children to be Creators, Communicators, Collaborators, and Critical Thinkers. In addition, I will be doing breakout sessions on Oct. 12 including, The Power of Play: An Essential Element in Young Children’s Learning, and The Stories Behind the Humor: Smile, Laugh, and Be Happy!”

Come by and join me for some positive support for your important work – and find time to share an inspiring story together!

I hope to reconnect with my longtime friends and make some new connections with the dedicated early childhood educators in Texas.  Please come by and tell me about your latest adventures in the lives of young children!

See you soon in Galveston!

 

Texas AEYC Info & Registration
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My Journey to Beautiful Copenhagen with Amazing Scholars

For over twelve years, I have been working with two professors from Aarhus University in Copenhagen, Denmark.  We have visited each other several times, presented together at professional conferences, and written numerous articles and book chapters together.  It has been such a rewarding international collaboration for me!

This week, I had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of a Celebration for Dr. Grethe Kragh-Müller, recognizing her 40 years of writing in the area of early childhood development.  Mira Nymo Wessels, from Børneringen (the publishing company that gave the party), invited me to be the “surprise” speaker for the event. What a joy it was to be a part of this marvelous celebration and to be the guest lecturer!

I was able to discuss the international need for Creative Thinkers in the 21st Century and referred to Grethe as a great example of a creative person.  Many of Grethe’s colleagues, area supervisors, early childhood teachers, and friends attended this afternoon event and joined me in honoring Grethe for her important work in our field.

Each time I visit Denmark I am touched by the wonderful people who live in this country.  I am always amazed how we share so many beliefs about young children and agree on effective approaches for nurturing their capabilities.

 

 

Grethe’s Celebration

My work with Grethe and Dr. Charlotte Ringsmore have expanded my global understanding and helped me better understand young children.  Although we live thousands of miles apart, we share our beliefs about the potential of young children and our respect for the dedicated people who work with them in America and Denmark.

Together we can be a powerful positive voice for young children and those who work with them.

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