The school supplies are flying off the shelves, it’s that time of year again when parents and teachers are getting ready for the start of a new school year. If you are an early childhood educator, you are perhaps the most influential individual in the eye of a young child. As you begin to plan for the upcoming school year think about what changes you may be able to make within your classroom and even teaching practices that will provide plenty of opportunities for the young child to explore, discover, and investigate. Learning experiences that will lead to the child being inspired and empowered. Take the time to find out what each child’s interests are, and provide learning experiences that will fuel their natural curiosity and interests. With the push to incorporate more science, STEM and technology within the early childhood classroom think deeply about what science and STEM experiences you will introduce the children to. When it comes to incorporating technology within the early childhood classroom think beyond the computers and Ipads, and tool a child places in their hand to make observations, and gather more data about the world around them is considered a form of technology. Thus, incorporating mathematical tools such as rulers, measuring tapes and levels are a great way to introduce the children to tools and technology. Providing simple hand lenses and microscopes, plastic pipettes and beakers, simple household tools and tool belts are ideal for science and STEM exploration centers. Science and STEM exploration centers should allow children to use as many of their senses as possible, incorporate journaling and drawing, as well as access to children’s literature. The following video provides snippets of hands-on-minds-on science and STEM exploration centers that provide opportunities for children to truly explore and discover and make sense of the world around them. The science and STEM exploration centers are highly engaging and the concepts being learned are meaningful to the child. These type exploration centers are sure to inspire and empower the young child. For more information about the science and STEM professional staff development and interactive keynotes Dr. Diana Wehrell-Grabowski conducts worldwide contact her via the contact page. [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2vzWty0Zi8[/embedyt]
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Teachers Views on Professional Staff Development
Over 18 billion dollars in the United States alone is spent on professional staff development. Yet many teachers report that current professional staff development offerings are neither relevant nor effective. So, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation contracted with the Boston Consulting Group in 2014 to reach more than 1,300 teachers, professional development leaders, principals, professional development providers, and thought leaders through a series of surveys and interviews. Read the complete findings of the study here. Professional staff development that is designed and delivered to meet the needs of the specific target audience will have long lasting positive impacts on those teachers in attendance, and the students they reach. Check out the following video with snippets from professional staff development sessions that Education Consultant, Diana Wehrell-Grabowski, PhD has conducted. Teachers attending the professional staff development sessions are engaged, empowered and inspired. When these factors come together this leads to positive learning experiences and transformations. [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vAcLXmPRw0[/embedyt]