Young children are naturals at analysis and reasoning. They want to understand. They want to solve problems, experiment, and compare. And we can help them! First, let’s look at what Analysis and Reasoning means. To analyze is to look closely or examine; reason means to form conclusions or inferences based on what we know or experience. Every time preschoolers ask questions, predict, classify, compare, or evaluate, they practice analysis and reasoning skills ..read more

I’d like you to take a minute and think about the answers to the following questions: Why do you write out a shopping list before you go to the grocery store each week? Why do you scramble to do 3 loads of laundry on a Sunday night just before the week begins? Why do you spend time writing out lesson plans to submit to your Director at the beginning of the month? What is the purpose of balancing your checkbook each month ..read more

Unravel the world of bilingual education with our special guest, Karen Nemef, a celebrated author, consultant, and staunch advocate for high-quality early learning experiences for young multilingual learners. Throughout this episode, Karen enlightens us on the power of bilingualism, offering a profound understanding of what it means to be a dual language learner and the importance of connecting with these children in their languages, regardless of their proficiency level. Karen brings her expertise to bear as she shares fascinating research-backed evidence, demonstrating that supporting a chi ..read more

Show Notes In today’s episode, we explore the intricacies of the childcare system with distinguished guests Jen Huffman and Anna Kresse from the Prenatal to 3 Policy Impact Center at Vanderbilt University.  Focusing on the enormous ripple effects of investing in affordable, high-quality childcare, our guests highlight the far-reaching benefits of such investments, including enabling thousands of mothers to return to work, lifting children out of poverty, and feeding millions of dollars back into the economy. The discussion explores the difficulties of providing quality childcare at an a ..read more

The process of fostering children's critical thinking and problem-solving skills can be challenging yet rewarding. In today’s episode, you’ll hear an enlightening conversation with early childhood education expert, Shawn Kaplan, about the art of cultivating thoughtful interactions in children and unlocking their cognitive abilities ..read more

Navigating the evolving landscape of early childhood education, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, is no small feat. With concerns of expanding literacy gaps, educators and leaders search for effective strategies. Among the most promising avenues is a timeless and fundamental one: meaningful educator-child interactions ..read more

Teachstone recently sat down with Janea Menicucci, Rebecca Thomas, Jennifer Armstrong, Alexis Rel, Cammie LePlatt, and Candise Forgue, a group of educators in New Mexico. During this discussion, they were kind enough to share the purpose of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework and how they use it to enhance their learning environments and improve student outcomes. Many aspects of UDL align with the principles of the CLASS® tool, making it easy to use both frameworks to support the growth and development of children, including those with special needs.   ..read more

How can educators use trauma-informed strategies as they work to engage with the families of their students? In today’s episode of our podcast, we dive deep into the transformation of family engagement in education amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic. Today’s guest is Shawn M. Bryant, Director of Professional Development and Adult Learning with the Child Lab at Yale University ..read more

As a new school year approaches, educators stand at the threshold of exciting possibilities. This is the moment to breathe life into classrooms through the power of meaningful interactions by using the principles of CLASS as a guide.  ..read more

What does social-emotional learning really mean, and why is it so important? In today’s episode, we explore the transformative power of social-emotional learning (SEL) with renowned experts Dr. Bridget Hamre and Erin Gruwell. Join us as we delve into the true meaning of SEL, its impact, and some critiques.  ..read more