If you’re looking for new ways to spice up your word/letter station in your program, this post will probably intrigue you! Joyful Learning has posted some fantastic ways for encouraging children to investigate and explore letter/words. Gone are the days of flashcards and drills. Not only are those methods developmentally inappropriate in early childhood, they’re not fun or engaging. They don’t properly stimulate the various learning styles either. The ideas included in this post encourage development in numerous areas.

Brandee, an in-home daycare provider, is looking for an assistant for the summer, if not longer. If you are looking for more experience please let her know. She is located on the border of Inver Grove Heights/Eagan. Contact Brandee Finwall. Phone number: 651-252-1223. Email: thefinwalls@gmail.com

Books are wonderful tools for engaging and motivating children. They also naturally inspire children through vocabulary and illustrations. Here’s a great example of how teachers can begin with a story and then branch off into activities in different developmental areas. How can YOU incorporate more book inspired lessons into YOUR program? If you already do this, tell us which books are your favorite and what curriculum ideas you use for them. Feel free to send pictures (no children please).

Four Square Preschool and Daycare is looking to hire immediately!

Positions available:
Infant aid- **12pm-4pm Monday through Friday ** assist the infant room during break time ** $8 per hour to start/ $9 after first month
School-Age Lead- **8am-5pm Monday through Friday ** Lead children kindergarten through 4th grade. Plan curriculum and activities.  ** $12 an hour for the first month, $14 an hour after
Preschool Assistant: **8:45-5:45 Monday through Friday **Assist lead teacher ** $10 first month, $12 an hour after

Contact Amy Shaver: (952)891-5437 work, (651)894-2756 cell

Julie, a family child care provider, is looking for assistance on Wednesday, Thursday, and Fridays from April 17th through May 15th and also over the summer. She is located in Prior Lake. If interested, call Julie @ 952 440 1183.

I’m happy to introduce Lynn  Kokal as our third guest speaker for Child Life Month. As part of our Child Life Assistant program at DCTC, Lynn received her field experience at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. She strongly recommends that students do at least six months of child life volunteer work in a hospital setting as they work toward their degree.

“I love helping children,” she said. “As a child life associate, you are the fun person. You provide distraction and support and are there to assist a child through a very difficult time.”

Lynn has provided some insight into her position as a Child Life Associate, along with her education/training, and tips for students. Listen to Lynn’s detailed message about what she does and the challenges she faces, along with the rewards of the career. (Scroll down to her name)

Playworks is donating two Play Packs for Child Life Month! Each includes 15 game cards for children of all needs and abilities.

“All children learn differently.We offer toys with universal design to maximize sensory awareness as well as gross and fine motor, language, and cognitive development among children with diverse abilities.These toys offer distraction and multi-sensory stimulation, particularly beneficial to special needs children.”  

Besides the drawing, there’s another opportunity for you to participate- join Playworks in their efforts to support the Project Carry On campaign to help early interventionists and early childhood education programs in the Rockaways to refill their toy bags and restock the shelves at the centers.  As you may know, Super Storm Sandy absolutely devastated that area last October and rebuilding has been delayed by a harsh winter and distribution of disaster relief funds. Read more »

You don’t have to step foot out of your home or office to participate in one of these webinars. You won’t need to pay a large fee or drive a long distance either. In fact, these free webinars are available online.

“Early Childhood Investigations offers free webinars to early childhood educators. The series is produced by Engagement Strategies, LLC., and presented by leading authors, experts, and leaders. Our goal is to help allow you to participate in conference-quality training without leaving your home, classroom, or office.”

These webinars are facilitated by experts and leaders in the field that present on a wide variety of topics related to early childhood. Read more »

Read more »

What is a CSA and how to choose the right one for you

Believe it or not, the growing season is just around the corner.  Last year I had a hoop house up at about this time growing beets, carrots, lettuce, kale, and radishes.  For me the beginning of the gardening season is the most fun.  After being cooped up all winter, being able to dig in the dirt, with the sun on your back, and to taste the first fresh produce of the year is the best part of spring.  However, usually toward August it can start getting a little old.  The days get much (much) hotter, the weeds tend to take over, and watering becomes a daily chore instead of something you look forward to doing.  That’s why this year, I’m scaling back on the growing efforts and letting someone else do it for me by signing up for my first CSA or Community Supported Agriculture program. Read more »