November 30, 2011

Celebrating the Diversity of December

Fat men sporting red suits, wreaths, silver bells with bows, elaborately decorated trees, and aisles of pricey toys just waiting to be plucked off the shelves – the reminders of Christmas are everywhere. It’s no wonder kids who don’t even celebrate this holiday can still tell you what it’s all about.

There’s no doubt, Christmas is a magical time for families across the globe. However, this is not the only important celebration that happens in December – Hanukkah and Kwanzaa also go on during this time of the year.  Continue reading →

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November 15, 2011

Build Confidence as a Childcare Professional

Not being confident in yourself can show in everything from the way you interact with children and coworkers to the way you manage your classroom and even your ability to boost enrollment. If you are a childcare professional who struggles with self-esteem issues, use these tips to build your confidence, and become a better early childhood professional. Continue reading →

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November 15, 2011

Keeping the Flu Bug at Bay

Fever, headache, body aches, chills, coughing, sneezing, stuffy nose, and fatigue – yep, flu season is in full swing, and there are plenty of germs to go around. Unfortunately, when you work in a childcare setting, kids share more than their giggles and hugs with you, they also share their germs. If you haven’t already caught the flu bug, use these tips to avoid the misery this illness can bring.  Continue reading →

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October 29, 2011

Is Fitness Interfering With Your Professionalism?

Mrs. Morgan took her preschool class on a field trip to the local pumpkin patch. They went on a hayride, walked the corn maze, and played with the animals in the petting zoo area.  It should have been fun, but not even halfway through the field trip, Mrs. Morgan was gasping for breath, had pains in her lower back, and could barely keep pace with the kids.

To make matters worse, when 27-year-old Mrs. Morgan stooped down to play with the rabbits on the farm, one of the workers noticed her struggling with her balance, so he took her by the arm and helped her up. When the outing was over, Mrs. Morgan vowed she would never take her class to the pumpkin patch again – it was just too much for her to handle. Is this really the best solution? Continue reading →

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October 29, 2011

Fostering Language Development in Infants

By the time infants are nine months old, most of them will understand simple words. By the time they get 12 months old, they will have learned all of the sounds they need for language. Since infants can start attending childcare programs when they’re as young as four weeks old, it’s important for you to do everything you can to foster language development in the classroom. Here are some ways to accomplish this: Continue reading →

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October 11, 2011

Accommodating Special Diets in Childcare

Whether kids are vegetarian, or have special nutritional needs due to allergies or intolerance to certain foods, special diets in childcare are not uncommon. When children have special dietary needs, you can do one of two things to accommodate their eating habits: You can go out of your way to provide them with specialty food items, or you can ask the parents to bring in what their children need every day. Continue reading →

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October 11, 2011

Classroom Set Up for Optimum Toddler Development

When children are young, their environment plays a major role in how they develop. Since toddlers spend most of their waking hours in the childcare setting, it’s important to provide an environment that supports their development. Keep in mind that safety should be the most important thing when you’re arranging your classroom for optimum toddler development. Continue reading →

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October 11, 2011

Tips to Boost Professionalism in Your Childcare Program

When your childcare program exudes professionalism, parents are more comfortable leaving their kids in your care, employees treat your business with respect, and you feel great knowing you’re doing everything possible to secure the future of your business. If your childcare program lacks professionalism, use these tips to whip it into shape. Continue reading →

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September 22, 2011

Basic Rules for Transporting Children Safely

Transporting kids to and from childcare facilities is part of an everyday routine for some providers. When parents trust you with this responsibility, they expect you to take every precaution necessary to get their tykes where they need to go safely. Here are some basic rules to follow when you’re transporting kids to and from your childcare facility. Continue reading →

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September 22, 2011

Boost Your Professionalism With a CDA

If you are looking for a way to boost your professionalism, improve your skills, and open doors for promotions and raises in the workplace, consider getting a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA). The CDA is a nationally recognized credential issued by the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C. Continue reading →

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