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From "Oops" to "A-ha!" Coach's Column Amanda Gooch December 1, 2024 We had such a wonderful and reflective time at our last professional development day. We welcomed Dr. Maleka Donaldson, Assistant Professor of Education and Child Study at Smith College, as she presented "The Power of Mistakes: Creating a Positive CLASSroom Climate." We celebrated learning from mistakes by encouraging children to embrace mistakes that lead to new learning experiences, we developed strategies for a positive and supportive classroom culture and reflected on personal experiences as learners and teachers as we continue to connect theory with practice. The workshop highlighted several important points. Including the understanding that although there are numerous ways to learn, when we make mistakes and receive corrective feedback, we are able to help learners avoid future errors. To build children's comfort with making mistakes, it is important to pay close attention to the language used when mistakes occur. What steps can teachers take in the classroom? Key themes include: Offer differentiated responses to mistakes Build a positive community-focused mistake culture Promote and facilitate self-correction Make adjustments to instruction Manage outside influences "The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually afraid you will make one." - Elbert Hubbard Wishing you all well during the holiday season, Amanda & Todd Back to Coaching Back to Newsletters

Simple Interactions | Dr. Dana Winters | Fred Rogers Institute Simple Interactions February 11, 2023 Dr. Dana Winters Fred Rogers Institute Handout (PDF) Workshop Photos Back

Wunderled - Unlock the Power of Play | Sally Haughey | Wunderled Wunderled - Unlock the Power of Play December 9, 2023 Sally Haughey Wunderled Understand your identity and gifts as an early childhood educator Understand brain science research around learning environments Learn to appreciate the small meaninifgul interactions in your work Handout (PDF) Workshop Photos Back

Conscious Discipline is a journey and filled with many ‘oops’ moments. The goal is to continue on the path no matter how many curves may come our way. Coach's Column Paulette Maggiacomo May 2, 2022 Did you feel that whoosh of air that blew into Vero Beach on the Saturday, the ninth of April? That was Kim Jackson, Master Instructor from Conscious Discipline who joined over 125 early educators to explore how to implement Conscious Discipline practices in the classroom and to reflect on where each individual educator is on their Conscious Discipline journey. Kim asked us to truly reflect on how we practice Conscious Discipline. Is it done with fidelity? Are we able to: Compose ourselves before we engage with our children? Are we aware of our triggers and are then able to implement the Five Steps to Self-Regulation (I am, I Calm, I Feel, I Choose, I Solve)? Do we suspend judgement and notice using DNA (Describe, Name, Acknowledge)? Do we use MRI (Model, Respond, Instruct)? Most importantly, do we calm ourselves before we approach a child in need? Conscious Discipline is journey and filled with many ‘oops’ moments. The goal is to continue on the path no matter how many curves may come our way. This leads us to the Post Test that you all completed. Let’s look at the three questions that proved the most challenging: Brain Smart Start consists of the following four components: Activity to Unite (morning welcome song), Activity to Disengage Stress (breathing), Activity to Connect (I Love You Ritual), and the Activity to Commit (Safekeeper Routine). Remember that these activities should be incorporated all day long. In order for change and transformation to occur, we must accept the moment as it is and embrace it; this is the prerequisite needed. The Power of Love and Skill of Positive Intent integrate the two hemispheres of the brain so that we can achieve short-term goals. This allows us to see the best in others and create teaching moments when there is conflict. We are very proud of you and thankful for all that you do for the children entrusted into your care! In closing, here is a special message from Kim: Let your light continue to shine brightly. You’ve got this! Wishing you well on your continued journey. Love, Kim Jackson Until next time, I too am wishing you well, Paulette Back to Coaching Back to Newsletters

Self-care looks different to each one of us. Coach's Column Paulette Maggiacomo August 20, 2020 This week’s newsletter focuses on the webinar Trauma and Culturally Responsive Self-Care for Early Childhood Educators featuring Julie Kurtz, Julie Nicholson, and Lawanda Wesley. The focus being on you , the educator, and how you can take care of yourself in order to respond to the needs of those around you. The topic of self-care has woven its way into many of the webinars in this year’s Transforming Challenging Behaviors Conference . In a previous newsletter, I wrote about Sandi Phoenix and The 5 Phoenix Cups (Safety, Freedom, Mastery, Fun, and Connection ). I hope you visited her website to see which cups are the ones that you need to be filled the most in order for you to be at peace. I also discussed Laura Fish and Mindfulness . One of her main points being that we need to be able to identify what brain zone we are in to successfully deal with children. Finally, Antoinette Taylor asked you if you were willing to put down some of the many plates that you are juggling in order to lower your stress level. So let’s unpack this popular term of self-care and see what it looks like and means to you and what can we can learn from it. This concept has become extremely popular over the last decade in magazines and on social media, suggesting that in order to take care of others, you must first take care of yourself. However, very little thought has been given to different socioeconomic levels, race, and ethnicity. Easy answers such as get a massage, a manicure/pedicure, or take a yoga class are not viable for everyone. Self-care looks different to each one of us. The illustration below is a compilation of over 400 surveys from around the world as to what early educators thought of when they heard the term self-care. So what does self- care look like? Self-care doesn’t need to cost anything or be exciting, it just needs to feel right to you. Suggestions for Individual self-care : Read Take a walk Drink a cup of tea Write in a journal Call a friend or family member Take a nap Eat healthy Daydream Let go of negative thoughts Start a new hobby. Collective Group self-care might look like this: *The suggestions should be in compliance with COVID-19 restrictions of course. Attend church Donate your time or items to a food pantry Cook for your neighbors Join an online book club Shop for those who still cannot go out Make cards for nursing homes Volunteer or advocacy work for a cause you believe strongly in How does our level of self-care affect the children we are in contact with on a daily basis? This is where the concept of “mirror neurons” comes into play. Julie Kurtz shares, “Children borrow our calm to co-regulate themselves. We are the external Wi-Fi for the child’s internal world. So if we are calm, the classroom will be calmer. If we feel regulated, the children will be more regulated and that is the magic of mirror neurons.” How might self-care be incorporated into your child care site? The following flow chart illustrates how a child care center on the East Coast instituted a plan that allows the staff to acknowledge that they have been triggered without letting the children know. This unique idea eliminates shaming the child or children who have triggered the adult. Those of us who chose to be in this wonderful world of early education did so because we have a very high level of compassion. Our super power is helping others but our kryptonite is not helping ourselves . We give and give of ourselves until there is nothing left. This can lead to compassion fatigue , where our body literally breaks down from the various stressors in our lives. This may show up as migraines, tight jaw, digestive issues, and back pain. If you take away only one thing this week, I hope it is that you will treat yourself with the same loving kindness that you extend to others, because you are so deserving of that too! Until next time, I wish you well. Paulette Back to Coaching Back to Newsletters

Tracey RN, BSN, Director, Wellness and Early Intervention at Childcare Resources of Indian River Tracey Griffis RN, BSN Director, Wellness and Early Intervention Student Wellness | Mental Health Referrals Joined Childcare Resources in 2017 Contact 772-567-3202 ext. 112 Back

< Back Meet Gladys Local early childhood education center director Gladys Williams has long been committed to furthering her knowledge and education. Attending Childcare Resources’ director networking meetings and professional development workshops, Gladys has worked hard to better serve the children, families, and educators she supports. When she first heard about the Childcare Resources Higher Education Program , it was the clear next step she had been waiting for. “Being a part of the Higher Education Program was an experience of excellence,” says Gladys. “Networking with students gave me strength and encouragement in my craft.” This past spring, Gladys graduated from Indian River State College, having earned her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with the help of Higher Education Program staff. Says Gladys, “I am excited to remain involved with the program to further my education and capabilities.” Previous Next

Childcare Resources of Indian River provides and promotes high-quality early education throughout Indian River County. Childcare Resources. For Families. For Educators. For the Future. Latest News Starfest 2026 Welcomes Major General Mike Hall for a Powerful Celebration of Early Learning Childcare Resources Advances the Early Learning Workforce Through Higher Education Community Generosity Brings Holiday Joy to Childcare Resources Families View More "The first five years have so much to do with how the next eighty turn out." - Bill Gates Now Hiring Apply Today!

Conscious Discipline: Resilience | Mandy Lloyd | Conscious Discipline Conscious Discipline: Resilience October 2018 Mandy Lloyd Conscious Discipline Handout (PDF) Workshop Photos Back

Todd , Early Education Coach at Childcare Resources of Indian River Todd Morrow Early Education Coach Educator Coaching Joined Childcare Resources in Contact 772-567-3202 ext. 115 Back

Big Ideas for Early Mathematics | Lisa Ginet | Erikson Institute Big Ideas for Early Mathematics March 2019 Lisa Ginet Erikson Institute Handout (PDF) Workshop Photos Back

Learn more about our communities of practice for early educators, facilitated by our early educator coaches. Community of Practice A community of practice is a group of people combining individual and diverse strengths to achieve more together than they can individually. It’s somewhere for you to learn, collaborate and exchange ideas and experiences. Each community of practice, led by an early educator coach , will meet once a month for four months. Communities of practice are free to attend limited to a small group of participants And provide a certificate of in-service hours/CEUs hands-on learning experiences Register today for the Spring 2026 Community of Practice! In this community of practice, you will learn instructional strategies to help boost observation results, increase student engagement and, ultimately, increase student learning. Meetings : Wednesday, January 14, 6:00 - 7:30 pm Wednesday, February 11, 6:00 - 7:30 pm Wednesday, March 11, 6:00 - 7:30 pm Learning Showcase: Tuesday, March 17 REGISTER VIEW FLYER