Short Video: Early Childhood Research

Why is engagement and early learning so important? 

This short video provides a quick background about the importance of early childhood education and the value of family engagement. While this video is meant to be informative, it does contain some illustrations that are considered stereotypical of different socio-economic classes. This is only an example and it is known and accepted that ALL families regardless of ability, race, ethnicity, education or economic status have the potential and ability to nurture and engage their children. Families are their child's first teachers! 

World Down Syndrome Day!

March 21, 2018 is World Down Syndrome Day! It is also the release day of a very special book, Down on the Farm by Dawn Alsept, which features photographs of children with Down Syndrome. Dawn is an advocate, mommy, writer, and former Ohio social worker and has worked for the Department of Job and Family Services as a professional development trainer. She is one of us and we would love to help promote this 5 star children's book! 

As teachers, practitioners, and family members, we must advocate for inclusion and celebrate what makes each child different and unique. Therefore, consider the books that you have in your library, are all the children represented? Children want to see themselves in the books they browse! This is a beautiful addition to your classroom or home libraries! 

Please take a moment and check out the trailer below and head on over to Amazon to get your copy today! To learn more about Dawn and her mission, please visit her award winning blog and follow her by liking her page on Facebook!  

For our Elementary Followers!

The Ohio Council of Teachers of English Language Arts (OCTELA) will be hosting their 2018 conference at the Worthington DoubleTree in Worthington, OH on February 23 & 24th! If interested, click the link to register. Registration ends Feburary 2, after this date, a late fee of $25.00 will be applied. This is a great opportunity to receive professional development in teaching English Language Arts! The OH DEC will be there to disseminate information and resources to school-age teachers.

Put this on your calendar!