The holiday break will be approaching soon. There are many things we can do to engage children!  Some of the things I like to do at home:
​1. Cooking with your children 
​2. Go for a hike/walk
3. Start traditions (watching movies, baking cookies, trimming the tree, writing a letter to Santa).
4. Ride bikes 
5. Take pictures
6. Take a day vacation to your nearest museum or zoo.
7. Ask the teacher for things to work on at home.
8. Build a snowman (if it snows)
9. Visit a nursing home or someone shut in. Take a goody basket.  Begin teaching children to be observant and care for others.
10. Rake a yard if there are leaves/clean off a neighbors porch
11.  Read books
12. Take a trip to the library
13. Always take time to play
14. Make hot chocolate and watch a movie
15. Make popcorn and take a break

Many of these things are about staying busy, building traditions and having fun.  Time is something you can never get back. What are some things you enjoy doing with your child?

Recently I was able to sit down with R.L Stein (I know right)!  And Patrick Carman. They have launched a new Podcast called GOKIDGO! It is pretty amazing. Here is more about it!

www.educationworld.com/blog/incorporating-podcasts-your-classroom-environment-gokidgo

Professional Development:

• My colleague and I host an Early Childhood Chatter Podcast.  We release a new show every other Wednesday.   You can find this wherever you get your podcasts. Never miss an episode by subscribing.  Each of these podcasts give you the opportunity to hear from someone working with children, families, communities and advocating for young children and learning.
• Every year we also hold a FREE Virtual Early Childhood Conference!  This year’s conference is Aug 10, 11, 12, 2021. This year there will be three amazing key notes and three full days of learning from colleagues that have something special they want to share with you about working with children and families.  You can earn badges and participation certificates each day.  Make sure to pre-register so you can get it on your calendar!
• During the year we provide professional development each month with our Early Childhood Seminar.  It is 3rd Wednesday of each month at 9:00 a.m PST.  It is a spin off of the ECE conference and allows you to attend a PD each month to gain new ideas, discuss with other professionals and learn hot topics that are happening in the world of education.
• You can find all of the sessions that we have hosted in the past on our ECE YouTube Channel.

I have shared this before, and I wanted to share again!  I am a co-host of a Free ECE Conference! You wont' want to miss this years sessions! This year you can pre-register so you can keep it in your calendar so you DO NOT forget! 

Here are the links to take a peek at:

 FREE Virtual Early Childhood Conference! 

This year’s conference is Aug 10, 11, 12. This year there will be three amazing key notes and three full days of learning from colleagues that have something special they want to share with you about working with children and families.  You can earn badges and participation certificates each day. 

Make sure to pre-register so you can get it on your calendar!

The first time I had the opportunity to hear Scarlett Lewis speak I was in awe. Her son was killed in the Sandy Hook school shooting. After I heard her speak I knew I needed to get to know her! I asked to her to be a Key Note at my ECE Conference, and she agreed :) I was so excited.  Then she came on my ECE podcast and we featured here in four episodes.  She has committed to being a Key Note again this year in August to talk about Social Emotional Learning!  It will be a topic you won't want to miss.  But recently I worked with her team and I wrote and article about all of the Amazing things she is doing to help others!  I wanted to share it with you!

Thanks Tisha

Choose Love

As teachers face going back to school this year, there are things that we are all thinking about.  Right now, schools are still trying to determine if it is safe enough to actually return face to face or in a virtual capacity.  I wanted to share a few things with you, that I have found that will help ease into this transition. 
My Pinterest page is full of fun ideas for the classroom and teaching through a pandemic and online:
Dr. Shipley's Pinterest Page:
I also co-direct a Virtual ECE Conference each year.  Here is the YouTube to all of the videos from the last several years:
​Ashford ECE Conf Youtube

​I have also had the opportunity with colleagues to share with you a Series called "The Dog Ate My Mask"  this will provide strategic ideas on how to learn this year and from home:
Here is the schedule of “Dog Ate My Mask” webinars:
 
Why Are the Crayons in Your Lunchbox? Organizing Your Learning Environment for Success
Wed., August 12, 2020 at 1 pm PT
Creating a home learning environment that fosters success is essential in helping students remain focused and engaged in required assignments.
 
No, You Can’t Play Video Games Right Now: Staying Motivated through Online Learning
Wed., August 19, 2020 at 1 pm PT
Students in a virtual environment often find it difficult to maintain their engagement and motivation to work in an online environment. This session will provide tips on how students can navigate through a school day while being successful in their studies.
 
This Is the Way We Learn from Home, Learn from Home, Learn from Home: Supporting Elementary Pre-K – 5th Grade Students with Learning
Wed., August 26, 2020 at 1 pm PT
Elementary and early childhood students have unique needs and require a more hands-on approach to learning. This webinar will address the unique needs of this age group in relation to learning in an online environment.
 
Scrolling and Eye Rolling: Promoting Teen (6th – 12th Grade) Student Success in Online Learning
Wed., September 2, 2020 at 1 pm PT
Secondary students also have unique needs in terms of online learning. This webinar will address how to support students at this level to maintain their engagement in learning. 
 
Now for the Good Stuff: What’s Out There to Add to My Toolbox?
Wed., September 9, 2020 at 1 pm PT
There are numerous resources available for parents that can provide students with practice in a fun and interactive environment. This session will review some of the resources available to parents outside of the classroom.
 
Distanced but Not Detached: Supporting Students as They Navigate Online Learning
Wed., September 16, 2020 at 1 pm PT
Many students will struggle with or experience mental health issues during their time learning at home.  This webinar will provide access to important mental health resources that support parents at home.
 
Voices from the Field
Wed., September 23, 2020 at 1 pm PT
This session will feature a roundtable discussion with various education professionals and administrators as they share experiences in dealing with challenges in their school districts.
 
You’ve Heard from Us…What’s on Your Mind?
Wed., September 30, 2020 at 1 pm PT
The final webinar in the series will be an open conversation with leaders from Ashford’s Department of Education and Liberal Arts regarding pertinent issues related to at-home or online PK12 education.  


You can register for this special webinar series by clicking here.  

I am going to continue to find resources to help teachers and families through this time, so check back in soon! :)
​Dr. Shipley

Hello Everyone! I hope summer is going well for you! I have never been a fan of summer as I love the winter holidays and the weather. I love snow, sleet, rain and ice.  I know---crazy right?  
I think that everyone has a different love for different times in their lives. I wasn't a huge fan of summer, as I didn't enjoy being out of school. I missed my teacher, I missed my friends and I LOVED SCHOOL--hence getting a doctorate degree! :)
I still love school and could picture myself going back and learning more!

I do stay engaged with professional development and even co-direct and Early Childhood Conference every year.  
What:  Ashford 4th ANnual ECE Conference
When: Aug, 3rd, 4th, 5th (All Day 9:00 a.m PST-6:00 p.m)
Free
Virtual
Open to the public
If you have any questions please reach out:  latisha.shipley@ashford.edu

Here is the agenda and where you will log in for day 1:
https://sites.google.com/site/auecevirtualconference/

Here is the Youtube Channel with Past Presentations:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNKQCZvjW-cNwUReiXj1rqg
We hope to see you there!
​Dr. Shipley

In this time of uncertainty lets think of it as the gift of time we will never get back. Your children are only small once. There are things you have put off doing that NOW you have the opportunity to do!  I have complied a list of fun things you can do with your children during this time:
​https://www.educationworld.com/blog/things-do-your-child-and-family-during-time-uncertainty

As you welcome your students back to your classrooms, what are some of the most important things on your to-do list?  What kind of community will you set up?  A classroom community is a vital part of how well your class will run this year.  Here are some great ideas on how to begin building your classroom community.   I wanted to have a high quality learning environment where developmentally appropriate practice was present and the daily schedule allowed for hands-on learning, engagement and collaboration.   Here are some tips and tricks for your back to school :) 

Building a reciprocal relationship with families before class stated was also something that was important to me.  I made sure through my monthly Family Forums that they knew we both wanted the same thing---for their child to learn, grow and develop this year! :) I wanted families on my side, and I also wanted them to know that I genuinely cared for their child.

I wanted them to understand that homework was NOT something I would be sending home and I wanted them to understand why. I wanted them to understand my philosophy of teaching and that I believe children learn through play.  I sent home Family Learning Bags and they were a hit!

I wanted families to understand that I would use multiple ways to reach them and that they could follow  me on my professional ECE sites.  My most important things deal with families and students. I want to be the best teacher I can be each day that I walk in to the classroom.
What is something new you will do? 

I am so excited to have a featured article from Little Sunshine's Playhouse and Preschool.  Their website is: https://www.littlesunshine.com/
I hope you will check them out! :)
What a wonderful article they have written! 
​
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A PRESCHOOLChoosing a quality preschool is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your child.
Early childhood education plays a seminal role in cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. It prepares young learners for long-term academic and life success.
But what should you look for when researching preschools in your area? Professor Deborah Stipek, former Dean of the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University and an expert on early education, recommends four basic criteria for selecting the best preschool:

• Quality teaching
• Classroom environment
• Attention to student performance
• Student-staff interactions

Let’s take a closer look at these criteria to guide your own preschool search.
QUALITY OF TEACHINGTeacher qualifications help to separate a preschool from a daycare center. Here are some indicators of teacher quality you’ll want to look for.

• What are the required teacher credentials? Quality preschools, such as Little Sunshine’s Playhouse & Preschool®, go beyond minimum licensing requirements to provide ongoing training that continually builds classroom management skills, including age-appropriate activities, effective discipline and positive communication.
• Ask how long teachers have worked at the school. What is the teacher turnover rate? Does the school conduct background checks?  
• Teachers should use purposeful activities. Is the teacher able to clearly explain the specific learning goal for every assignment? Building a tower using blocks, for instance, introduces preschoolers to basic physics and teaches cooperation with others.
• Teachers who are knowledgeable in child development understand how to work with varying attention spans. When visiting a preschool classroom, Stipek recommends taking a look at the art projects on display. Ask yourself, “Are they all a little different?” The answer should be, “Yes.” Developmental psychologist Jean Piaget revolutionized the child development field with his expansion on cognitive development. By creating and giving choices to children, in this case art, children are able to learn and expand on process instead of focusing on the outcome of the final product. With focus being on the process instead of the final outcome, children are able to find out what works, what doesn’t work, and create and cater to their imagination. In turn, the child often creates his or her own “masterpiece” which promotes healthy self-esteem.

CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENTLittle Sunshine’s Playhouse® implements a proprietary Creatively Shine™ curriculum, which holds that the preschool classroom is a child’s “third teacher,” in addition to parents and teachers.

• What’s the overall atmosphere? When touring a preschool, you should be allowed to see all of the classrooms. Do teachers and children look happy? Is there excessive crying? Do teachers respond appropriately when a child is crying?
• Activities should be readily accessible. Look for low tables and shelves where it’s easy for young learners to reach crayons, pencils, paper, toys and other items.
• Safety should be a priority. Check for rounded furniture corners, covered electrical sockets and dangerous items kept out of reach. Is the playground inspected for safety on a regular basis? Are staff members certified in CPR and basic First Aid?
• Pay attention to security. Each parent at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse® receives a door code. The school also maintains an authorized pickup list with photo ID verification.

ATTENTION TO STUDENT PERFORMANCEPreschool learning should prepare your child for the rest of his or her academic career. Look for a program that develops the skills needed to succeed over the long term.

• Ask to see the school’s curriculum. One of the most important distinctions between a preschool and a daycare is that a preschool has a curriculum. An effective curriculum is one that promotes cognitive, social and emotional learning and develops independent skills.
• Ask how the school measures development. For all outcomes described in the curriculum, the preschool should have a measurable, documented standard for measuring every child’s progress.
• 
  
  • Developmental traits to measure include self esteem, following directions, persistence and fine motor skills.
  • Social skills include taking turns, impulse control and cooperation.
  • Academic skills include identifying letters and numbers, counting, identifying shapes and learning to hold a book.
  • Preschool teachers should also be trained to notice possible signs of developmental delays, learning disabilities and health problems, so that children can receive early assessment and intervention.

STUDENT-STAFF INTERACTIONSPay attention to how teachers interact with the children, and how the children respond. As noted above, teachers and students alike should seem happy, which helps to create an overall positive atmosphere.

• Do teachers know how to listen? If a child draws a picture, rather than proclaiming “That’s so pretty!” a good teacher will ask an open-ended question such as “Tell me about this.” Giving kids the chance to describe what they’re doing and why helps to build verbal skills and understanding of concepts.
• Do teachers make eye contact with students? It’s best for teachers to interact with students on the children’s eye level. That means kneeling or sitting down to talk to them. Good eye contact encourages kids to talk longer, which further develops language ability.
• Do teachers encourage interaction? Project-based assignments, like those at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse®, promote cooperation and discussion between students. Look for children choosing to play together during recess. If two students disagree, say, over who was first in line or how to complete an activity, teachers should first monitor the conversation to see if the kids can resolve the matter through discussion, ready to intervene if necessary.
• Do teachers provide appropriate care when needed? Preschool teachers must be prepared to take on some parent-like roles during the school day. These might include First Aid for skinned knees and other minor injuries, help with shoe tying and tending to the occasional bathroom accident.

 
Are you looking for information on preschool programs in your area? Find a Little Sunshine’s Playhouse® location near you to learn more about our outstanding teachers and Creatively Shine™ curriculum.