#ECEchat Archive
We chat every Tuesday night at 8:30-9:30 pm CST. All are welcome, especially EarlyEd teachers, leaders & experts. Co-founded & moderated by @techwnancy @JessicaCabeen & @VealHeidi
Tuesday March 15, 2016
Welcome to . Please share your name, where you are from & what you do.
Rosie Brandt from Angola, IN kindergarten teacher excited to join in.
Hello PLN my name is Nancy. I am an AP on a bilingual early childhood school in N. TX. Looking forward to the learning tonight.
Hi Jessica from Austin MN-Kindergarten Principal.
Danielle K Tchr in AZ! I missed last week! Looking forward to learning from you all!
Hello Reba from Dallas! Ed. Consultant w/Houghton-Mifflin-Harcourt. Glad to be hear
I lead the innovation division of a school company in
Hey, Heidi. Here for a while -- from beautiful Alexandria VA, where I work as an ed consultant. : )
Cheri Izbicki, Principal at Pearson Early Childhood School in Plano.
Remember to include the hashtag so everyone can follow along.
A1: In my 15 years in , I have seen a greater focus on academics and an increase in rigor.
is in a Q/A format with Q1, Q2, etc. Mark responses w/ A1, A2, A3,...etc
Hi everyone! My name is Katlyn and I am a pre-service teacher from North Carolina. I look forward to learning from you! :)
Hi everyone! I'm Kevin, and I lead the innovation division of a preschool company in
Hi Danielle so glad you are joining tonight!
Keri from SC. Kinder teacher and technology trainer. So excited about this one. STRONG opinions about the topic! warrior
A1: that is called push down academics.
Anna Dutke, Nature Preschool teacher from MN
Hi Welcome to tonight. I'm looking forward to learning with you tonight.
Hi neighbor. So glad to learn with you tonight on
Hello Everyone! I'm Bethany. Kinder teacher in Idaho
Hey Everyone! Kim from Calgary! I teacher and love EVERY moment of it
Hello
Michelle, Kinder Teacher, TX
Looking forward to this chat.
A1: I think has become more global w/ greater emphasis on global citizenship and .
Hello from Baltimore Maryland! Kindergarten teacher
A1: in my 12 years, both K4 and K5, I've seen the slide from play based learning to play-less learning. Lacking DAP in ECE for sure
A1: I think politically there's more interest too. Policymakers are finally seeing what we've all been talking about for years!
A1. There is an overall pressure to introduce Ss to concepts earlier to increase success later. PreK starting to look like K
Q1: In the time you have served as an Early Childhood educator, how have you witness change & morph? https://t.co/aFp1e9cMhQ
A1. A great focus on academic abilities & growth. A greater need to connect to others & collaborate w/ others. Early reading skills
Hi I'm Holly, K-5 STEM Coordinator in Tampa, FL! Excited to join in tonight!
Welcome to Kevin! Your role sounds so interesting. I can't wait to learn from you!
A1: I have definitely seen a push on academics and less focus on play.
A1 As an online ECE instructor, there has been an increase in BS requirements for ECE preschool teachers
A1: the other change I see is that .5 day does not serve the family, both p's work. kids are stuck in day care for 12 hour days.
A1 in my almost 20 years working with young kids the biggest change seen is loss of play and a push for inappropriate academics
A1 Greater evidence available for why matters. Now we need better funding for .
A1: I am in year three and every year the resources available keep GROWING! The technology especially!!!
Welcome Keri! How have you been? Glad you are joining tonight.
A1 I have seen the emphasis on PreK-5 standards & curriculum alignment greatly increase.
A1. Dev, appropriate practice has been pushed aside. Standards, college-ready, test scores driving curriculum expectations
A1: Overall academic/social expectations have increased significantly! Kindergarten is the new 1st Grade https://t.co/JSkDvZieZO
Q1: In the time you have served as an Early Childhood educator, how have you witness change & morph? https://t.co/aFp1e9cMhQ
A1-In 10 years I've seen K expectations turn into PREK expectations and 1st Grade expectations turn into K expectations.
A1: While I am not yet an ECE, I have noticed a much greater inclusion of 21st century skills and technology within the classroom.
A1. I have seen an increase in the intentionality of the work done w/ early learners, including intro. & using content vocabulary.
Hi Kim! How have you been. So glad to learn with you on tonight.
A1:K looks like first grade! https://t.co/1mQQCQvfc6
A1. There is an overall pressure to introduce Ss to concepts earlier to increase success later. PreK starting to look like K
Ts have access to SO much PD in the palm of our hands, all they have to do is put in the effort to join in!!
A1 In my 36 yrs I've seen much that makes me sad. The demise of play as primary method of learning, a focus on academics.
A1 I've noticed a shift toward academics. Although this has sadly pushed out play, we've also noticed how capable Ss are to learn
A1 While academic expectations have increased, I also think we're more aware that children can do more than we thought possible
A1 I too have seen the wish 2 bring in play & balance it w/academics in kinder. How successful will it b?
A1: regardless of what the push down is or the standards say, a 5-year oldies still developmentally a 5-year old.
RT Q1 In the time you have served as an Early Childhood teacher, how have you witness change & morph? https://t.co/JK81MGaunj
A1. But happy to report that there seems to be more awareness to importance of true play-based programs
Hi Heidi!!! So good to join in! I have been great and you!? Glad the time worked out for tonight!
A1:In my 5 yrs of ECE I've seen great leaders take our kids places we never thought possible in academics. Also an increase of tech
Lurking tonight on to learn from these awesome early childhood expert teachers! Hope all is well &
That's a very accurate description from my POV too. https://t.co/8U5UVWZzE6
A1: in my 12 years, both K4 and K5, I've seen the slide from play based learning to play-less learning. Lacking DAP in ECE for sure
hi everyone ! My name is Rebecca currently write curriculum for Pre-k and out of school time.
I always say Lurking is Learning.
A1. Seeing more and more articles going viral about importance of social skill development, outdoor play etc voices are being heard
I love the positivity in this post! https://t.co/8Pk7CgdqqC
A1:In my 5 yrs of ECE I've seen great leaders take our kids places we never thought possible in academics. Also an increase of tech
A1: yes Rae. We have to teach our teachers how to play!
This is part of the academic shift I love! We are doing a disservice to Ss when we play down S potential https://t.co/hppoWBNYsX
A1. I have seen an increase in the intentionality of the work done w/ early learners, including intro. & using content vocabulary.
Exactly! Child development cannot be accelerated!
I've been great too. This has been a fun Spring so far.
Agreed! My Ss own their new learning which is inspiring to me. It's all about delivery.
A1: I am always trying to find ways to make learning fun and hands on while meeting rigorous curriculum!
A1:Academics expectations are increasing while play and oral language development is decreasing
A1 That is so true! Great ideas everywhere!!
A1:I've seen that many ppl use "play" as a shield to🚫advance children where they could be. "Intentional Play" is what our kids need
A1: access to new technology and shifts in pedagogy - a shift in how we promote play alongside academic learning
A1 Another change I've witnessed is that ECE is being noticed at the national level! That has its good & bad points.
It is absolutely amazing to me of what they are capable of at such a young age! Mind blown every day.
March Madness is distracting too!
A1: however the best teachers are great at dap and playing with kids.
A1 I observe this too. We miss out on serving many children by offering only 1/2 day programming for PreK. https://t.co/RpsxXdJgYw
A1: the other change I see is that .5 day does not serve the family, both p's work. kids are stuck in day care for 12 hour days.
Ts have more opportunity to rely on each other, rather than re-creating the wheel, we learn from our colleagues & work together
Very true! they are still 5 so incorporating those age appropriate skills are important! https://t.co/7JpqCRFTAY
A1: Overall academic/social expectations have increased significantly! Kindergarten is the new 1st Grade https://t.co/JSkDvZieZO
Q1: In the time you have served as an Early Childhood educator, how have you witness change & morph? https://t.co/aFp1e9cMhQ
Agreed https://t.co/uOfhngPGJC
A1 Another change I've witnessed is that ECE is being noticed at the national level! That has its good & bad points.
Yes also places where it's half day K or no mandatory K! We don't even have mandatory PK in AZ. Foundation! https://t.co/Qg3r9N3vfP
A1 I observe this too. We miss out on serving many children by offering only 1/2 day programming for PreK. https://t.co/RpsxXdJgYw
A1: the other change I see is that .5 day does not serve the family, both p's work. kids are stuck in day care for 12 hour days.
A1 is getting noticed nationally but also globally. and are doing fascinating work
Aboslutely! those little muffins constantly blow me away, and always make me smile! https://t.co/3heeR7MdPI
It is absolutely amazing to me of what they are capable of at such a young age! Mind blown every day.
A1- I'm hearing you all talk about the capabilities Ss have- I see it daily, but they must also be allowed to be little- balance!
Pre-K is NOT daycare unless we treat it like so. It's up to us to demonstrate what learning looks like https://t.co/YJ8h41cD6Q
A1 I observe this too. We miss out on serving many children by offering only 1/2 day programming for PreK. https://t.co/RpsxXdJgYw
A1: the other change I see is that .5 day does not serve the family, both p's work. kids are stuck in day care for 12 hour days.
It's important to acknowledge that "play" can be 100% standards-based! MUST be intentional and thoughtful. PBL is a great way
A1: I wish Lilian Katz could join us. We did more projects years ago but had to put it aside due to academic rigors and assessment
Yes, and ways tech can be integrated in a DAP way. https://t.co/osJ0ESC6ZI
A1: access to new technology and shifts in pedagogy - a shift in how we promote play alongside academic learning
A1: Integrating technology has been the biggest change since this is our first year being 1:1
A2. Much more accountability at primary grades push down to K.
A2 I think we're seeing evidence that leads to better social and economic outcomes
This is an awesome change! ; ) https://t.co/x9g3OnEQje
Ts have access to SO much PD in the palm of our hands, all they have to do is put in the effort to join in!!
A1 I have seen more technology implemented and daycares are not just babysitters.
Hello everyone joining in late, rizza from Philippines, k-3 physed
A2. Recognition in the importance of early education for student success later in school. 1/2
So true Pre-k is know Kinder and I have to constantly remind myself they are only 4 https://t.co/6kSxibKVtR
Very true! they are still 5 so incorporating those age appropriate skills are important! https://t.co/7JpqCRFTAY
A1: Overall academic/social expectations have increased significantly! Kindergarten is the new 1st Grade https://t.co/JSkDvZieZO
Q1: In the time you have served as an Early Childhood educator, how have you witness change & morph? https://t.co/aFp1e9cMhQ
A2: Accountability and higher expectations in earlier grades has impacted what happens in the classroom
A2: As the focus on testing has increased I think they feel what we do in ECE isn't enough to get these kids ready to test. JMO.
I too right curriculum. I love designing engaging work for little ones.
A2. The foundation it builds is relevant to the needs of Ss . Ss gain experiences early on that can be applied to other learning.
A2: Times changing & educators need to do what's best 4 our Ss by changing/adapting & allowing creation/openness for what's new!
Truth!
https://t.co/dFTOeSDm7t
A2: Accountability and higher expectations in earlier grades has impacted what happens in the classroom
A2 more accountability but also better integration. preK is more seamlessly connected with learning expectations in K and beyond
A2 Accountability and NCLB has dramatically changed our public education systems
A2. On other hand more accountability has allowed more understanding of whole child at age of 5
A2 It has been influenced by a mixture of research and politics. Unfortunately politics tends to have more pull than solid research
A2-College readiness has been a focus and now has everything being pushed down. The pro to this is we are now getting tech too.
A2 Wish I knew the answer to that! Where has the belief that earlier is better come from? Why has it infected our culture?
We have realized that the only way 2 move ➡️ is to start intentional learning younger!It's sad BUT true. https://t.co/5jVLI3rTWv
A2 It changed due 2 strong push 2B school ready n kinder. It should have evolved to include better social/emotional skills too.
A2. 2/2 Pressure to "fix" schools from failing Ss by starting earlier. Need to look at what we are doing in K-5 that's not working
A2: ECE has evolved so much over time due to increasing demands of adulthood. It is an attempt at creating effective citizens.
A2 I also think we've recognized - globally and nationally - that is connected with better health outcomes for children.
Why do you think this has happened?
A2. new research and study alongside new technology.
A2- teacher accountability coupled with top down created standards that left us with the leftovers. Can create a weak foundation
Define earlier. Are you saying something of us are old enough to identify that? Hmm
If only more people jumped out of their comfort zones and tried it :)
yes, planned, playful, and purposeful.
A2 our public systems have also learned from other traditions like etc
How do we balance the academic demands w/ what we know are developmentally appropriate practices like play? https://t.co/vcrxwyZvMo
A1 In my 36 yrs I've seen much that makes me sad. The demise of play as primary method of learning, a focus on academics.
A2 My mom was nursery school tchr all her career and into retirement. She worried when parents demanded homework in 1970s!
A2 we are still eay behind in our efforts in the Philippines but Nat'l govt is slowly making progress
A2. Seeing an increasing rise in nature preschools/outdoor learning. Recognizing value in something we lost over time
Yes. https://t.co/rcrr9bmCCI
A1: regardless of what the push down is or the standards say, a 5-year oldies still developmentally a 5-year old.
State Testing down to 3rd grade- Ss get just a few years 2 b ready for testing-but not a measure of their learning.
It bothers me that politicians won't listen to research or the people that are actually in the "field"
A2 30 years ago, my daughter’s kindergarten tchr said they would have no time outside cuz their reading curr. took too much time
EVERY GRADE should be connected.2nd&3rd grade ts should not be trying 2 remediate what wasn't done earlier https://t.co/rd4XIEPqJD
A2. 2/2 Pressure to "fix" schools from failing Ss by starting earlier. Need to look at what we are doing in K-5 that's not working
is it specifically early ed or services included in programs that provide early ed?
A2. Also a shift in pedagogy for older students with design thinking and PBL play making its way up the school ladder too
Don't agree that that's true, Margarita. Children do great when allowed to learn as they're meant to.
Educate, educate, educate. And put into practice while documenting the learning to show proof it works! https://t.co/qoafjQaaP7
How do we balance the academic demands w/ what we know are developmentally appropriate practices like play? https://t.co/vcrxwyZvMo
A1 In my 36 yrs I've seen much that makes me sad. The demise of play as primary method of learning, a focus on academics.
A2 business sector has valuable ally in . Worth looking at what are doing
A2 I think 1 way things are getting worse is MORE admins control PreK & K, yet FEWER of them have any knowledge about those years!
Q3: Coming up in 1 minute
Like I said, unfortunate but true. https://t.co/tejQqqGuXe
Don't agree that that's true, Margarita. Children do great when allowed to learn as they're meant to.
You are leading the way by being the change. https://t.co/5zx36ZoY3I
If only more people jumped out of their comfort zones and tried it :)
A2: Higher Expectations on Kids
Q2: I think the bar has been raised but as T's we need to find ways to continue to create intentional play
A2 I tell about the past because sometimes we act like alllllll our problems stem from common core. Truth is they go deeper!
A1 You know politicians and district will not read NAEYC's DAP Position Paper What is appropriate for kids https://t.co/ubGl5s57Wb
Q3 What are the most critical components of that should remain unchanged despite pressures? https://t.co/crLB6OaqlS
Great point. It's so important for us to advocate for our students so expectations and outcomes are aligned to DAP
I think good teachers keep the children at the forefront & manage to teach academics thru play & DAP.
A2 U know politicians and districts will not read NAEYC's DAP Position Paper What is appropriate for kids https://t.co/RPiyqeCFcI …
Exactly! Let's work together to beat the system https://t.co/qdSFmc21YT
Q2: I think the bar has been raised but as T's we need to find ways to continue to create intentional play
Yes and this is ABSOLUTELY possible Early Educators ARE AMAZING at thinking OUTSIDE the BOX! !
What Karen said make me reflect that many EC admins are coming from elem when ece is a different beast
such a tough role, we need to inform and recognize its not k-12 but PreK-12
A3. Give families a choice for their child's experience.
I agree. I see this in my school every day! ; ) https://t.co/ALWNLCIRcA
I think good teachers keep the children at the forefront & manage to teach academics thru play & DAP.
A3: learning at ones own pace, self directed learning, child size furniture and materials,
intentional teaching is 1 aspect of play so yes important but not the only thing moving Ss forward in play!
A3: Foundational lit. & math skills that are planned, playful & purposeful are essential components of a high quality program.
A3 DAP -and play based learning need to go unchanged
A2-maybe pressure has always been there? But we know overly didactic practices & less play not the answer https://t.co/henImVw40D
A2 30 years ago, my daughter’s kindergarten tchr said they would have no time outside cuz their reading curr. took too much time
A3 Preschool /Kinder classrooms MUST incorporate intentional play and know what is developmentally appropriate. I learned from it
A3: HIRE GREAT TEACHERS!!!
A3. Social/emotional growth! Ss aren't ready to learn if they don't feel safe, comfortable & engaged.
A2: Trying to grow Ss too fast forgetting they are still children through intentional play and high expectations they will succeed
Exactly! People who nothing about ECE should NOT be making decisions for & about young children!
A3 I like the new emphasis on global citizenship (character education, foreign language exposure, introduction to cultures)
A3 EXPOSURE. Students can't be what they can't see... It's our job to expose them to all of the possibilities out there!
A3-Free social play times, recess, making sure that the foundation is firm despite what those above think they should be learning
A3 We can't be evasive about social skills. For some Ss, this is their first interaction outside of home & shapes the rest of life
A3: Social/emotional development taught through play, language rich environments, opportunities for exploration (natural/creative)
RT Q3 What are the most critical components of that should remain unchanged despite the pressures of changing times?
A3-We must continue to meet individual Ss needs. We need to find ways to keep learning developmentally appropriate!
Such a key component!! all grades too! https://t.co/WB2R4MjvZL
A3. Social/emotional growth! Ss aren't ready to learn if they don't feel safe, comfortable & engaged.
Beautiful https://t.co/SGKOzxiSUZ
A3 EXPOSURE. Students can't be what they can't see... It's our job to expose them to all of the possibilities out there!
A3 choice, collaboration, challenge, responsibility, respect and realise opportunities 3Rs & 3Cs and DAP of course!
A3: They are kids! AMAZING human beings! We need to foster creation, imagination & the importance of being unique!
A3: There should be a continued emphasis on the developmental needs of each student. Everyone does not learn the same.
A. Play and ensuring our Ss and Ts voices are heard in any changes we need to make. https://t.co/KSYp9HXnKu
RT Q3 What are the most critical components of that should remain unchanged despite the pressures of changing times?
A3 I wrote this with other PD providers about our worries: The D.A.P. Gap: Is Cute the Enemy of Quality? https://t.co/yNJRLaTTQl
A3 S/E skills too, outside time, use of imagination!
A3 ABSOLUTELY!!! Totally agree. No#1 task And Teachers who understand their student population and what they need.
