This is a challenging time for public education. School boards are dealing with the politics of ethnic studies curriculum implementation, as well as the management of the rollout of Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK).

Many people agree that the early childhood education landscape is continually changing. Personal power can be used to meet the challenges of these changes.

Conference weekend is always exciting and this year marked a comeback from Covid. There were many more attendees than in recent years, many new faces to CAAEYC. Workshops were busy, a buzz was in the air.

Each educator is unique and irreplaceable in our programs. Each one of us has a unique style to be able to relate to our children and also to our parents.

In this book, Michelle shares stories that are full of insights into how she has learned to take care of herself. She said, “Through my life, I’ve developed what I’m calling a set of tools that help me get through.”

12 ways to relax, refresh, renew, refuel and recharge this month. An excerpt from American Society of Administrative Professionals August 7, 2018 training resources.

We’ve all heard flight attendants say, “Put on your own oxygen mask first.” That is care of self. We share the following stories with you, so we are cleared for takeoff. Taking care of myself has not been easy.

Today I went to a meeting for my work as a mentor in the family childcare group. If we talk about stress, there is nothing more stressful than having a day off and having to work that day. However, at the end of time, all these efforts are rewarded.

We all know that we are living in stressful times. As adults, we are thinking about Covid, flu, politics, the environment, the economy and more! I don’t mean to stress you out right from the start of this article! However, the first step in dealing with anything, stress included, is acknowledging it.

In thinking about Covid Lessons, one of the greatest things I have learned is about being open and accepting about whatever is happening “now” in my world. It seems to me that this has been a lesson that we who subscribe to the theory of emergent curriculum work with all the time.

Increasing uncertainty has been the story of our lives for the past several years. Uncertainty has disrupted our lives and the constant required flexibility has been stressful.

Imogene has a few problems to solve, and we notice that she is more than capable. But, some of the adults just don’t know what to do! Other adults have ideas about how to put those antlers to good use, which makes Imogene smile.

Well, my task for this issue of our newsletter was an adult book in support of us during these times of uncertainty and anxiety. Of course, I went to Google to see what there was.

As you read our column, we hope that you will create queries about the topic of freedom, queries that cause you to think deeply and creatively! We hope you enjoy the freedom of expression that we have experienced in our thinking together about this topic… that is critical to building our democracy!

Freedom! What an important word for our humanity, especially in these times as controversial as we are experiencing. So how can we as adults explain or instead exemplify what freedom is in our tiny humans who are in the process of development?

As educators we know that we have re- sponsibilities to the children and families that we serve as well as our employers and the community. That is a lot of responsibility!

I was now calling up memories of my childhood as a young ballet dancer; feeling the sadness, frustration, fear, and self doubt that came from looking at the other little girls, comparing my body with theirs, and measuring myself as not good enough.

In this month’s booklist you will find books on various types of freedoms, such as the right to be who we are, the freedom to attend school, and the right to work under safe conditions, just to name a few.

Children must have their basic needs met in order to feel safe and then interact and engage openly with those around them.

Back of the Bus, tells the story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and Rosa Parks through the eyes of a young child.