There is a familiar pattern in early childhood education. A teacher is exceptional with children. Her classroom is organized, families trust her, she understands child development, and other teachers frequently seek her advice…

Recently, I had the opportunity to listen to a group of early childhood leaders talk openly about what was going well or a “rose,” what they were looking forward to or a “bud,” and what was challenging them or a “thorn.” I was there primarily to listen, and that is exactly what I did…

There is work we can see in early childhood education - teaching, preparing activities, communicating with families, supervising children, completing paperwork, cleaning, and managing routines.

Then there is the work happening inside an educator’s head.

Remembering. Anticipating. Monitoring. Prioritizing. Adjusting. Problem-solving. Making one decision while already thinking about the next three…

Image walking into an early childhood program after a challenging day.

• A teacher forgot to complete a required form.

• A child was injured on the playground.

• A parent complained about communication.

• A classroom schedule fell apart.

The immediate question many leaders ask is:…

As an early childhood coach, I often spend months working alongside programs preparing for QRIS assessments. At first, everything appears positive. Staff members are warm, friendly, and respectful…