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Monica , Director, Outreach and Philanthropic Services at Childcare Resources of Indian River Monica Cheslak Director, Outreach and Philanthropic Services Professional Development | Educator Outreach | Starfest Joined Childcare Resources in 2014 Contact 772-567-3202 ext. 104 Back

Nurturing Young Children in Nature Coach's Column Amanda Gooch March 1, 2025 What an absolutely incredible time it was at our professional development day this past Saturday! We will welcomed Dr. Michele Lucia from Walden University as she presented “Nurturing Young Children in Nature.” Together we gained an understanding of the key factors in how to implement nature-based play and why it matters. We were also encouraged through outdoor play as a way to improve young children’s physical abilities, develop strategies for teamwork, emotional regulation, and fostering independence. Finally, we explored how outdoor play boosts cognitive growth such as problem-solving and curiosity. Let’s review our three buckets of learning that the workshop supported: Physical Development - Outdoor learning provides numerous opportunities for young children to enhance their physical abilities. By playing and exploring outside, children can develop their fine and gross motor skills along with encouraging a healthy lifestyle. Cognitive Growth and Environmental Awareness - Outdoor settings offer a wealth of sensory experiences and learning opportunities that foster cognitive development. Social Well-Being and Emotional Intelligence - The outdoor environment is an ideal backdrop for developing teamwork with social interaction, independence and confidence. To learn more about how you, as an early childhood educator, can incorporate nature into indoor spaces along with providing a learning culture through play and creativity; where children can develop the skills and confidence to connect with the natural world; visit Childhood by Nature: https://www.childhoodbynature.com/7-ways-to-bring-the-outdoors-inside/ “Play is the highest form of research.” - Albert Einstein Wishing you all the best, Amanda & Todd Back to Coaching Back to Newsletters

Tiffani , Executive Assistant, Development Manager at Childcare Resources of Indian River Tiffani Atteo Executive Assistant, Development Manager Joined Childcare Resources in 2023 Contact 772-567-3202 ext. 102 Back

Classroom Visuals Coach's Column Amanda Gooch September 1, 2024 I hope you all had an incredible day of Conscious Discipline training with certified instructor Cheryl Cotter this past Saturday. You should have all left feeling ready to start the school year strong with proactive strategies for setting up your classroom for success. Our training focused on empowering educators the Conscious Discipline way. Together we learned about the importance of soothing the lower center of the brain for learning. We compared and contrasted proactive tools and strategies for maintaining regulation and reducing of task behavior. We also constructed a school plan implementing structures, routines, and rituals which in turn will build classroom safety, connection and problem solving. One of our favorite parts of the training was when we dove in deep on the significance of classroom visuals. The predictability that visuals create offer a felt sense of safety while also scaffolding learning for children. This scaffolding creates opportunities for future success. Fostering safety through predictability is especially important. Visuals provide a predictability pattern that should be displayed in an easily accessible way. Use the following formula for creating visuals in your classroom (MAP): M = Model the procedures and expected behaviors A = Add visuals of the steps and expectations P = Provide many opportunities for practice, practice, practice Adults think in words; however, children think in pictures. Using pictures to show children what comes next provides their consistency brains require in a visual form they can easily understand. This webinar from Conscious Discipline Certified Instructor Elizabeth Montero-Cefalo makes the process easy! Watch Elizabeth's webinar Visual Daily Schedule to learn more about why and how to use this resource. Wishing you all the best, Amanda & Todd Back to Coaching Back to Newsletters

Can we teach based on the research of how children grow and learn and still comply with all of the requirements of our center? Coach's Column Susan Roberts December 1, 2020 After attending Lisa Murphy’s webinar on Saturday my reasons for spending my career in Early Childhood Education was confirmed. If we are in this field, we believe children are our first priority . We believe we should teach at their pace and to their interests, and that having a rich, stimulating environment is very important. The challenge has always been how to do what directors and child care teachers know is best for children within the constraints of lesson plans, pacing expectations, standards and other rules and regulations. Can this be done? Can we teach based on the research of how children grow and learn and still comply with all of the requirements of our center? Yes. But we need to know the “why” behind the “what” of what happens in our classroom. Dr. Peg Oliveira, from the Gesell Institute for Child Development, reviewed the milestones of child development at a Childcare Resources workshop in 2019. If you went to the workshop you were provided, Foundations of Child Development Birth – Age 5. Most curriculum programs and standards are based on similar child development milestones. The milestones indicate what your children should be practicing and doing by age. You will probably have a span of development from one year before and one year after the age you teach, i.e., if you teach 3’s you will probably have children who are developmentally from 2 1/2 to 4. You may be doing a unit on winter. That’s a challenge here in Florida. Here are some ideas to a provide stimulating, language rich, environment for learning. Read any book that has snow. How is the winter in Florida different from the book? Encourage discussion. Ask questions about experience with snow: How do you think it feels like, looks like, texture? What happens to it? How do the characters prepare for being in snow? How do animals move, and what do they eat when it snows on everything? Compare and contrast with Florida winter. For responses that are not on topic re-ask questions, “I see, but what do you think about?” Or use “Hmmm”, “Interesting!”, “I see!”. (Open ended questions, feedback loops, self-talk, vocabulary development, parallel talk, repeat and extend) Investigate cold and melting using a dollar store white table cloth or shower curtain and ice cubes. Do this outside. In a small group have each child put an ice cube on the plastic. What do you think will happen? Why? Will all the water puddles look the same? Relate melting ice cube to what happens to snow. Trace around the puddle made by the cube with a permanent marker. When you come back together as a large group compare sizes and shapes of puddles. Count children and count puddle shapes. Are the numbers the same? Color puddle shapes in with paint. You have a work of art! Or you can sort buttons, bean, animals, etc on the mat. It also makes a great mat for messy activities. This activity can also be done on the sidewalk with chalk. No shower curtain needed! (Language development, states of matter (solid to liquid), science inquiry, math concepts of number, size, shape) On a messy mat put a tray of Oobleck (made by the children). Put out a collection of cranberries, small pine cones, small branches, pine branches, leaves, tweezers or tongs. Let the children put the items in and out of the Oobleck and experience the textures. Where do all of these things come from? How would you describe how they feel? (Fine motor skills, states of matter, and language development) Bring in children’s summer hat, winter hat, sandals, boots, coat, swim suit, scarf, etc. and have children discuss if items would be worn in cold weather or warm weather. (Language development, critical thinking, textures/materials) These are just some examples of providing an exploratory and stimulating environment for children. Think beyond your given curriculum. Are these experiences potentially messy? Yes! Is it worth it? Yes! If you are having fun and being inquisitive and creative the children will feel it and be excited in their learning also. You are setting up their environment for them to learn and advance in their development. They are getting their cognitive, physical, language and social/emotional needs met and will have a memorable time doing it! Lucky children, successful you! If you need any of the resources below or assistance with planning your environment contact Susan for further information. Dr. Peg Oliveira, Gesell Institute, Foundations of Child Development Birth – Age 5 handout Lisa Murphy, Even More Fizzle, Bubble, Pop and WOW! Ooblick, pg 69* https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/pine-tree-evergreen-oobleck-science-winter-sensory-play/ Oobleck sensory tray * If you participated in Lisa's November workshop, this book was provided to your center as part of technical assistance. Back to Coaching Back to Newsletters

< Back Meet Cassandra and Zariah Twelve years ago, a young mother faced uncertainty about how to care for her family. A single parent with a newborn daughter, Cassie was desperate to find support and build a strong future for her family. She found this help at Childcare Resources. “They didn’t just open their doors to us,” Cassie says. “Childcare Resources was a complete support system. I had peace of mind knowing my daughter was safe. Their structure and guidance helped me feel secure during a stressful time.” Cassie’s daughter, Zariah, thrived at Childcare Resources from infancy through early learning, benefitting from on-site occupational and speech therapy, and graduated fully prepared for kindergarten and beyond. Now in middle school, she excels academically and creatively, recognized as an award-winning artist and a math lover. “The teachers and staff at Childcare Resources shaped my daughter into the confident, curious, and capable girl she is today,” Cassie says. “Because of their care and commitment, our lives have been forever impacted. Childcare Resources was my anchor. Because of this program, I was able to focus on my studies and earn valuable certifications advancing career opportunities, all while knowing my daughter was receiving excellent care.” Previous Next

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Latest News Aug 20 2 min Childcare Resources Celebrates 2024 Graduates, Welcomes Volunteers as New School Year Begins The Childcare Resources School recently held a graduation ceremony for the 2024 class of program students. Aug 7 1 min Childcare Resources Receives Grant from John’s Island Foundation for Outdoor Classroom “Outdoor classrooms are dynamic spaces where children can observe and experiment,” says Shannon McGuire Bowman, Executive Director. Jul 22 1 min Childcare Resources Staff Receives Literacy Micro-Credentials from UF Lastinger Center “I explored new strategies that help support high-quality interactions in my VPK classroom. " Jun 26 1 min Childcare Resources Holds Summer Community of Practice, Motivating Early Educators Community of Practice meetings are fashioned to mirror family gatherings, fostering a sense of camaraderie among educators. May 30 2 min Childcare Resources Highlights Its Wellness and Early Intervention Program for Mental Health Awareness Month Childcare Resources’ Wellness and Early Intervention Program has logged over one thousand hours of mental health therapeutic intervention.

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Beth Dingee MSW Director, Development Fundraising Joined Childcare Resources in 2024 Contact 772-567-3202 ext. 108 ​ Back