For programs who shut down over the summer or for those who run a summer camp program, it’s somewhat bittersweet to return to school in the fall. For me, it is always sad to see summer come to a close, but there is also something exciting about a new school year starting.

Here are some things that I look forward to as a new academic year kicks off….please feel free to share your excitement with us too.

• Meeting new students and parents
• Greeting returning students and seeing how much they have grown since last year.
• Ordering supplies for our teachers and watching them get excited about setting their classrooms up.
• Having our floors waxed and buffed…that smell reminds me of back to school!
• In-service training….I do in fact enjoy spending time with my staff and getting to know them better while we train.
• Hosting our “stop by and say hi” event. I love watching our students come in to see their cubbies, meet their teachers, and see their classrooms.

For me, the beginning of the school year represents a new beginning for us. I find that staff are at their most energized and motivated…..a very special time of year. If you share in my excitement we’d love to hear from you!

As Early Childhood professionals, we become that first teacher in many children’s lives. For many children, child care or preschool is their first educational experience away from Mom and Dad. The same goes for the child’s parents. We teachers and administrators need to treat this first experience with great tenderness; we have a huge responsibility for setting the tone for many years of education to come. We want this first experience to be positive and give a child and parent a sense of trust, safety and love. Each family is different and unique and we must recognize this and act accordingly.

On the first day of school you will come into contact with some families who are able to drop and go with no issue … no tears, no worries, a smooth transition by both parent and child. You may have situations where a child is a little weary, yet you are quickly able to intrigue a child with something of interest in your room and soon they are feeling comfortable. You may have a situation where the child is very sad and has a harder time separating from a parent. There are even situations where the parent has a harder time than their child and the parent may linger. With each of these scenarios, it is crucial to build a positive relationship with the parent and child so trust can be built. Having patience during those first weeks is also important; and letting the parents know that you really want school to be a place where the child and the parent looks forward to coming back to everyday.

For years I have given parents advice on how to take that first step of letting go. I stand in the halls with parents as they peek through the door window to make sure their children are ok. I help parents during times when their child cries at drop off … assuring them that they will be ok. Most children settle in very quickly once mom and dad leave. For some parents, I even encourage and coach them to go and drive the nearest coffee shop and just enjoy a cup of coffee in peace knowing their child is having fun in a loving environment.

Then .. came my day. For me, directing a program is the best job for raising young children. My children have been with me at work since they were infants. I always had them right down the hall from me from age 6 weeks to the time they went off to school. Then came Kindergarten for my first child and there I was … crying like a baby at that bus stop … trying to let go, feeling as though a part of me was being taken away. My poor son, he was so embarrassed. The car ride to work felt foreign with just my daughter in the car, but that experience allowed me to empathize with all the parents that I see each and everyday at my center saying goodbye to their children for that first time.

So as the first day of school comes to your center, remember that this is a big step for children as well as parents … treat it with love and tenderness.

I have to admit, I love the first day of school! I can remember as a young child not being able to sleep the night before the first day of school due to the excitement and anticipation I felt. And now, as a Director of an early childhood center, I still become excited about the first day of school.

This week my staff has been busy, busy, busy getting their classrooms ready. They have been painting walls and shelves, setting up classroom centers, creating bulletin boards, setting up cubbies, and laminating endless pictures and labels. The classrooms are looking crisp, fresh and ready for new students to visit on Friday morning to meet their teachers and then start on Monday.

As a Director, I take the start of a new school year very seriously because I know how important it is for students to have a positive experience their very first day of school in their life. For many early childhood programs, your school door is first of many more classroom doors that will open for the rest of their life. Their first school experience will set the stage for years to come, so make it a positive one.

First impressions matter…so be sure to welcome your students and parents in a way that is warm and caring.

Prepare your classroom in the same way, taking time to ensure the students recognize their name and maybe even their photo somewhere in the room.

Try to take a few moments to chat with each child and their parents in order to begin building positive rapport.

And last, keep in mind the important role you play an educator; the influence you will have on your students this year will change each one of their lives forever, so get excited and make your first day count!

During the past couple of weeks there has been a lot of debate over the way that the Town of Middletown, CT was handling behavioral issues with elementary school students. Many reports have mentioned the use of “scream” rooms for children who needed to be removed from classroom situations. (Click here for the full story). As you can imagine there has been much debate over these practices. A full investigation is being conducted in the Town of Middletown and I’m sure the findings will be made public.

As I was riding in my car listening to talk radio on Tuesday, this topic came up on a popular AM station. A number of callers voiced their opinions. The host of the show made a clear statement, that no one would support the act of isolation for a child with disabilities, however, there are children with major behavioral challenges that do cause a threat to other children and teachers. These children who have social and emotional issues can be found in high school all the way down to our elementary schools. There are times when these children can become highly disruptive, physical and dangerous. The question raised, was how should these situations be handled?

There are so many layers to this story, so many factors and variables, but I have been thinking a lot about behavior in our early childhood settings. How can we as early education providers help to prevent these types of stories? Are we doing our job to …

1. Detect developmental delays early, delays that could cause frustrations resulting in inappropriate behavior

and

2. Are we doing our job as early educators to help children that we know have behavioral challenges or are we allowing inappropriate behavior to continue and build as the child ages?

Furthermore…what is our role as early educators to assist parents in providing their children with appropriate behavior teachings?

I’m sure that this topic will continue to be headlines in our state and national news, and although the current situation focuses specifically on elementary age students, I feel that it is worthwhile for early educators to look at our impact on improving these types of situations earlier rather than later.

What are your thoughts on the topic?

We are pleased to introduce a new guest blogger, Charlie Margolis, to our site, who can share his expertise on public speaking and preparing for interviews and presentations.

Charlie Margolis is a veteran art educator, who taught in Newington’s middle and high schools for 35 years. During his career, he received multiple awards for teaching, community service and leadership; among them were the Celebration of Excellence, Newington Chamber of Commerce Public Service Award and the William P. Ward Award for Educational Development. He founded and directed the “Neighbors-Helping-Neighbors” Program, coordinated the Anti-Defamation League’s “World of Difference” cultural diversity program at Newington High and Chaired the Newington Youth Adult Council. Mr. Margolis served as Chair for the Review Committee for the Approval of State Teacher Preparation Programs. He is on the Board of the Directors of the Rob Branham Foundation, which provides assistance to victims of leukemia and other blood related diseases.

Presently, Charlie is Chair of the South Windsor Human Relations Commission. He was Poet Laureate of South Windsor and the author of the poetry book, “Class Dismissed: A Teacher Says Goodbye“, published by the Connecticut Education Association. Under Mr. Margolis’ leadership, South Windsor became the first community to publish a book of poetry, called “Voices“, entirely written by residents and former residents of the town.

Charlie is Executive Director of Interview Image Associates, LLC. The firm specializes in preparing political candidates, pageant contestants, job aspirants and college applicants for interviews, speeches and presentations. Charlie is a well known pageant interview coach, who has helped contestants win many titles and interview awards. He is the author of “Did I Really Say That?” The Complete Pageant Interview Guide.

As directors, teachers and early childhood professionals, we find ourselves in public speaking situations all the time, whether we realize it or not. Charlie is pleased to be a member of the SEEDS team, and will be happy to answer your questions about public speaking, interviewing