Making Connections

I just returned from the NAEYC Leadership Conference in Pittsburgh. I always enjoy this conference because it is made up of professional leaders and instructors in the field of early childhood. I appreciated the conference this year because of the workshops that I attended to keep my skills sharp. Past conferences have concerned me because many workshops were so high-level that I didn't understand how that information could be helpful to the teacher on the front line. This year, I found the information much more usable. I think one problem we have in education is the disconnect between "experts in the field" and the front line teacher or caregiver. We should never lose sight of how to support children on a daily basis in an effort to show how much we know.

The First Three Years

As I have been writing an organizational tool for caregivers of infants and toddlers, I have been amazed at the developmental milestones that occur during the first three years of life. Having grandchildren in the age range of 11-36 months, it has been nice to see how those milestones occur. It is also evident that it happens at different times for different children. There are things caregivers and parents/grandparents can do to support this development. I am committed to have many more conversations with my grandchildren. The development of language is so critical.