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Let’s Talk… What’s with the “A”?
When we are very familiar with something it can be easy to assume others know as much about it as we do. This past year that has been my experience regarding the acronym STEM. STEM stands for Science,...
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Let’s Talk… Winter Weather Ahead
Welcome again guest blogger Jamie Smith, ISU Environmental Rating Scale Assessor. As much as we hate to admit it, winter is approaching. We know weather can change in a matter of minutes, and it’s...
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Let’s Talk… The Gift of Autumn
Our guest blogger Lori Schonhorst, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Early Childhood Specialist and I-Consult, shares her passion for the creating memories in nature. Last night as I was...
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Let’s Talk… Making Friends with Math
When I say the word “math”, what comes to mind? If you are like a lot of folks, formulas, equations, and maybe balancing your check book come to mind – YIKES! (Last week my 14 year old son explained...
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Let’s Talk… Safe Sleep
Let’s face it… talking about infant safe sleep best practices in a marketing world full of soft plush blankets and generations of parenting practices can a challenge. Some of my most difficult...
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Let’s Talk…Windows and Mirrors
Occasionally when the topic of of multiculturalism comes up in early childhood conversations in the state of Iowa, I hear child care providers comment that they do not serve a diverse population, so...
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Let’s Talk. . . Minimizing Plastics
Take a moment and think about one of your activity centers. What are most of the objects in the center made of? If you said plastic, you are not alone. According to the Environmental Working Group,...
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Let’s Talk… Humble Inquiry
Our guest blogger Lori Schonhorst, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Early Childhood Specialist and I-Consult, encourages us to consider humble inquiry. Recently I have been reading the book...
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Let’s Talk . . . Essential Oils
HURRY… Registration for the EcoHealthy Child Care® series ends this weekend! A recent news story about sick children and adults from essential oils diffused in a child care center concerned me. In our...
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Let’s Talk… Winter Reminders
Do you have new snow today? Here, guest blogger Kris Corrigan, Early Childhood Specialist and ERS Assessor, shares some reminders about winter weather considerations. We all enjoy going outside when...
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Let’s Talk…Sea of Toys
Welcome again guest blogger Jamie Smith, ISU Environmental Rating Scale Assessor. You just got the room all cleaned up and you hear a crashing sound. Little Susie dumps the entire bin of small blocks...
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Let’s Talk…Valuable Real Estate
Below is a follow-up post to last week’s blog by guest blogger Jamie Smith. Whether you provide care in a family child care home or a center-based program, space is a hot commodity. You are constantly...
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Let’s Talk…Group Time
Welcome again guest blogger Jamie Smith, ISU Environmental Rating Scale Assessor. Group times can be great. When appropriate, they can foster a sense of community, enhance children’s patience and...
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Let’s Talk… ACEs and Resilience
Adverse Childhood Experiences… have you been hearing about these? If not, put the topic on your “need to know” radar. Adverse Childhood Experiences – or ACEs – are categories of childhood experiences...
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Let’s Talk… Infant/Toddler Environments Photo Contest
Do you wish you could see how other early childhood professionals arranged their environments to meet high quality care standards in infant/toddler classrooms? Are there elements of in your program you...
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Let’s Talk… Pack-n-Plays and Play Yards for Nap
Welcome guest blogger, Melissa Wagner, Early Childhood Coordinator for Environmental Rating Scales at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Recently we’ve had questions about the use of...
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Let’s Talk… Gidgets and Gazmos
Welcome again guest blogger Jamie Smith, ISU Environmental Rating Scale Assessor. I worked in a center-based program for many years, beginning in college. For many of those years I was a closer-the...
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Let’s Talk…Homelessness & Young Children
Welcome guest blogger, Jenna Pattee, human sciences intern at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. As difficult as it is to think about young homeless children, this is an important problem in...
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Let’s Talk… Creating Relaxing Days
May can be a crazy time of year… are the children in your care feeling the stress? Here, guest blogger Kris Corrigan, Early Childhood Specialist and ERS Assessor, shares some ideas for helping children...
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Let’s Talk… Wordless Books
Ok, I’ll be honest. When I was a family child care professional I didn’t have a clue what to do with wordless children’s books. You know, those early literacy books often full of amazing photos or...
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