In response to Episode 4 with Dr. Pauline Harris, Wyoming literacy expert and lover of children’s books, Julie Eastes, talks about the most important things we can do to encourage literacy development in young children. Throughout this episode, Julie shares ways to bring literacy into the classroom by connecting to children’s interest, family and culture.

Dr. Pauline Harris from the University of South Australia discusses key ideas in young children’s development of literacy. Dr. Harris enthusiastically shares her work supporting families and communities to bolster children’s literacy and the transition to school. Listen as Dr. Harris explains what literacy looks like for our young children. 

Host, Nikki Baldwin, and Mary Harrill, Senior Director for Higher Education Accreditation at the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) discuss the NAEYC Unifying Framework for the Early Childhood Profession. This vision for the early childhood workforce has significant implications for early childhood educators in Wyoming. Listen in to hear about this exciting opportunity to grow our profession in Wyoming.

Three sisters involved in early childhood in Wyoming respond to Camille’s interview and share their insights into what Developmentally Appropriate Practice means for caregivers, teachers, and families in Wyoming.

Camille Catlett discusses key features of the new NAEYC Developmentally Appropriate Practice Position Statement and shares great resources for early childhood educators and higher education faculty. Listen as Camille talks about the new fourth edition of the DAP and the Three Core Considerations in the new position statement.

This is the final episode in a series of three episodes on Trauma Informed Practices. Join Brittany Geringer, Pepper Stevens, and host, Nikki Baldwin, as they dig deeper into the principles of trauma informed practice and share experiences with young children and families that have shaped their thinking and teaching and help us know how we can better support the families and children we care for. 

Julie Kurtz, national expert on trauma responsive and resilience building strategies, shares important evidence on the impact of trauma on young children’s development. She offers advice and tools for trauma informed teaching and creating trauma responsive classrooms. 

Julie Kurtz, national expert on trauma responsive and resilience building strategies, shares important evidence on the impact of trauma on young children’s development. She offers advice and tools for trauma informed teaching and creating trauma responsive classrooms.

Nationally recognized author and presenter, Julie Bullard, shares practical tips for teachers looking to improve their classroom environment to support high quality learning. She also shares wisdom from her years as a professor, consultant, and author.

Nationally recognized author and presenter, Julie Bullard, shares practical tips for teachers looking to improve their classroom environment to support high quality learning. She also shares wisdom from her years as a professor, consultant, and author.

Nichole Parks and Joelle Wheatley with the national non-profit Leading for Children discuss the power of collaborative learning and the impact it can have on early childhood professionals and their programs. They shared their experience leading a 6-month learning network with 30 Wyoming early childhood professionals and parents that resulted in the creation of Wyoming’s Coherent Path to Quality, a new vision of quality for the State of Wyoming.

Nicole Philbin, a participant in the Quality Learning Network led by Leading for Children facilitators Nichole Parks and Joelle Wheatley, responds to their Episode 5 interview. Nicole shares about her experience as a member of Quality Learning Network and what she learned from this group. She also tells us how she utilized collaboration to face the biggest challenge of her career and the amazing turnaround her program experienced as a result.

Nichole Parks and Joelle Wheatley with the national non-profit Leading for Children discuss the power of collaborative learning and the impact it can have on early childhood professionals and their programs. They shared their experience leading a 6-month learning network with 30 Wyoming early childhood professionals and parents that resulted in the creation of Wyoming’s Coherent Path to Quality, a new vision of quality for the State of Wyoming.

Stephanie Rino, and Maureen Giordano, two Wyoming early childhood program owners and directors, respond to the Episode 3 interview with Debbie LeeKeenan. Stephanie and Maureen share how their experiences and identity shaped their work as early childhood professionals. They offer wisdom from their experiences opening programs to address unmet needs in their communities and leading early childhood educators through the process of change.

On this episode Debbie LeeKeenan shares important lessons learned in her years as a program director and in her work with leaders from across the country. She is full of practical advice, offering leaders simple tools for successfully navigating the complexities of early childhood leadership. Debbie encourages programs to think beyond traditional models of family school partnerships.

On this episode of Voices from the Village toddler teachers, Christy and Shaila, respond to episode 1 with Deb Curtis. They share insights gained from years working in the unique role of toddler teacher and mentor to hundreds of future early educators. Shaila and Christy share what happened when they shifted their focus from the “stuff” in the classroom to children focusing on each other?

On this episode nationally renowned author and early childhood expert, Deb Curtis passionately shares her expertise about educating young learners.  To increase learning for both children and educators she shares The Thinking Lens as a tool to support teachers in taking time to pause, listen, and reflect on what children are offering.