Mindfulness and Purpose in Early Childhood Education

In this ever changing world of early childhood learning and theories, early childhood educators should never forget the roots and spirit of their early childhood education:   CHILD DEVELOPMENT .  ECEs are masters in early child development.  It’s what we do.  We know young children and how they develop. OBSERVATION SKILLS .   We watch and learn, so we’re fully aware of where children are on the developmental scales. PROGRAM THROUGH PLAY . We set up play based environments based on our observations of children.  And  every  ECE, who wants to calls themselves an ECE, should be able to: •Make play dough. •Run circle time.  •Capture and maintain the creative imagination of young children.  

First, What is Hygge? Hygge, pronounced (hue-gah) is the Danish concept of comfortable and cozy living.   Because winters can be awfully miserable and dark for much of the day, it's important to be able to come home to a warm blanket, a cozy cup of cocoa, a soothing fire and soft lights. Hygge is the enjoyment of creating and celebrating beautiful moments of comfort, acknowledging special feelings of love and friendship, and enjoying the splendor in the ordinary. HYGGE IN CHILD CARE  is creating rich moments for children to enjoy themselves, with each other and their teacher. It's teaching children how to enjoy and appreciate special moments and simple things.      Hygge is appreciating the basics.    The quite everyday things that build a meaningful childhood and life experience. CREATE A HYGGE PLAYROOM Use soft lights – turn off those overhead florescents! Use a water diffuser with essential oils – put it up ...

FREE TO BE ME is a positive living skills program that develops positive perspectives,   life skills and stress control strategies in children through a variety of group and independent activities.   The program has been researched extensively and developed over a ten-year period by Dr. Terry Orlick, a renowned educator, internationally recognized mental training consultant and doctor of sports medicine.   Dr. Orlick developed the program in Ottawa, with the support of area schools and the Humanities Research Council of Canada. The program teaches children to think positively and focus effectively to improve not only their schoolwork, but to enhance their social skills and daily lives. The program uses a variety of activities that have been proven to increase children's ability to: ·          Relax effectively ·          Cope constructively with stress, conflict, ange...