Shaping Little Minds

2022 was a hard year for many, myself included and today, I wanted to share some lessons I've learned over the last year. I wanted to share these lessons with you because I truly believe they are invaluable and can help you grow + move into the new year positively.

1. There is a way to integrate work and life without burnout
2. Identity outside of your work is crucial
3. Being productive is not everything

These lessons have helped me to live the life I love and create a business that I love.  As hard as it was to learn these lessons, they gave me the opportunity to grow in a tremendous way and therefore, have the ability to share them with you.

Happy Listening!!

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Behavior management has become the topic to discuss. Why? Behaviors in the classroom are more drastic and very different than they’ve been in the past. So many teachers are struggling to gain control of those said behaviors and it is one of the many reasons teachers are leaving education. This becomes a reason teachers burnout; when the classroom is chaotic, teachers feel like life is chaotic. And when that happens, teachers burn out much quicker. I personally don’t believe burnout needs to be in a teacher's vocabulary if they are taking the right steps to navigate their classroom and create a strong identity outside of teaching.

1.  Incorporate Sensory Play
2.  Movement
3.  Social Emotional Learning

You can dive even further inside of my mentorship program, The Confident ECE. Learn more with the link in the show notes below OR apply to get on a free call today to see if this program would be a good fit for you. 

Follow: http://www.instagram.com/shapinglittlemindspodcast
Episode #70: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shaping-little-minds/id1549702974
Learn More: https://shapinglittleminds.mykajabi.com/pl/2147637103
Apply Today:  https://forms.gle/dwe4RHi3VTSEVq1QA 

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Today, we are diving into the juicy details of what it means to join The Confident ECE. I answer questions like: who is this for? How much will it cost? What is the time commitment?

The Confident ECE is a mentorship program for new and struggling teachers who are looking for in class support. Tune in to find out if this program is the right fit for you.

Learn more: https://shapinglittleminds.mykajabi.com/pl/2147637103
Confident ECE Application: https://forms.gle/dwe4RHi3VTSEVq1QA
Out of the Class Partnership: https://www.ootcjobs.com
Questions? http://www.instagram.com/shapinglittlemindspodcast

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Have you ever thought about incorporating sensory play for your students? 

In today’s podcast episode, I got to talk to Tiffany about sensory play in the early childhood classroom. We dive into what sensory play is, how it encourages learning, various activities teachers can incorporate, and the way it impacts a child’s development and behavior. 

Thank you so much for listening to this week's episode! Below you'll find various ways to connect with Tiffany.  I hope you share this episode with teacher friends who might be looking for more guidance. 

Learn more from Tiffany: 

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/skillsetreset
• Website: skillsetreset.com

Learn more about The Confident ECE: https://shapinglittleminds.mykajabi.com/pl/2147637103

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Classroom and behavior management is something all teachers are struggling with at the moment.  When I put a poll up to ask what teachers want to learn about, the most prominent answer was classroom management. In today's episode, I dive into the 4 steps I've taken to create a classroom management plan . It's the steps I find to be the hardest and challenging inside the classroom.

Step 1: Ask for help
Step 2: be proactive instead of reactive
Step 3: Master routines + transitions
Step 4: Rinse and Repeat

All of this is found inside of my mentorship program, The Confident ECE. We dive into ALL things in the classroom so that you can not only be an amazing teacher but also find joy in your life outside of teaching. When your classroom is organized + feeling under control, you have the capacity to truly live life and navigate anything that may come up every once in a while. 

Free Resources: 

• Reflective Guide:  https://shapinglittleminds.mykajabi.com/offers/sBQ3dtkB
• Podcast Reflection + Exercise: https://shapinglittleminds.mykajabi.com/offers/iNYKAEC5

Learn more about The Confident ECE: https://shapinglittleminds.mykajabi.com/pl/2147637103
Follow: http://www.instagram.com/shapinglittlemindspodcast

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We can’t just assume that our students will know what they are feeling let alone be able to verbalize it. We need to teach them the vocabulary necessary to express their feelings. In this episode, we dive into various ways we can start to teach our students about emotions and feelings throughout the school year.

A question to consider: What does the feeling look like?

This will help our learners recognize others feelings and their own. One of the leading causes of burnout is behavior management and I believe that if we became intentional about teaching our students about emotions and feelings, the classroom dynamic would start to shift. 

Continue the conversation on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/shapinglittlemindspodcast
The Confident ECE Application: https://forms.gle/dwe4RHi3VTSEVq1QA

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I talk a lot about this idea of getting consumed in teaching to the point where we end up losing who we are at the core. I think that a big part of this is the idea that rest is bad and the only way we’re using our time wisely is by being productive.

What if you changed your mindset around rest?

Today we discuss the lessons I've learned after shifting my mindset around the idea of rest. Shifting your mindset around rest can help you to create the balance you've been looking for as a classroom teacher.  

PLUS, I can support you in this with a free 60 minute call!

Apply today for a free 60 minute call: https://forms.gle/dwe4RHi3VTSEVq1QA
Follow: http://www.instagram.com/shapinglittlemindspodcast

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I’m excited to dive into this week’s episode because I’ve never done an episode on this topic. I’ve talked about all the things you can do inside an early childhood classroom to encourage learning and play but I’ve never discussed the importance of listening. Listening is a powerful tool educators need and should practice on a consistent basis.  We talk about the 4 ways you can become more intentional in being an active listener inside the classroom:

1. Be present
2. Focus on compassion
3. Talk less, Listen more
4. Respond quickly

Being an active listener isn't necessarily easy. It takes time and work. This is our time to do better for our students.

Classroom Leadership Podcast Episode (#38):  https://open.spotify.com/show/0dIVj44W5HjCVmef8vXK5C?si=4b2a1d6678b045e2
The Confident ECE Application: https://forms.gle/dwe4RHi3VTSEVq1QA
Follow: http://www.instagram.com/shapinglittlemindspodcast

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Today, I’m going to dive into a topic I’m super passionate about and it happens to be my #1 piece of advice for early childhood teachers. If you’ve been with me a while, you know that I whole-heartedly believe that early childhood teachers need a mentor. Someone that will help to guide and support them throughout their education journey. 

We'll cover:

• Why mentorship is so critical for new and struggling teachers
• How a mentor could've changed my first year of teaching 

Find your mentor by applying to my brand new program, The Confident ECE. If you have been in search of a mentorship program that will truly help you grow and learn inside the classroom, this is the perfect opportunity for you.  Apply Here!

Follow: http://www.instagram.com/shapinglittlemindspodcast

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I’m bringing the theme of play back onto the podcast but we’re diving into how to make play a part of the learning process. I got to welcome back my good friend, Carla Ward; an early childhood educator and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Early Learning Foundations and is one of the biggest advocates for early childhood educators.

Here's what we cover:

• Why play is a controversial topic in the early childhood classroom
• Benefits of play in the classroom
• What skills children develop by playing
• How to make play a part of the learning process
• Resources teachers can dive into to learn more

Connect with Carla: https://www.instagram.com/elfoundations
Learn More About Play:

• https://media.kaboom.org/docs/documents/pdf/ip/Imagination-Playground-Theory-of-Loose-Parts-Simon-Nicholson.pdf
• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/248909268_Block_Play_Performance_Among_Preschoolers_As_a_Predictor_of_Later_School_Achievement_in_Mathematics
• https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/mar2015/ten-things-children-learn-block-play 
• https://www.teachearlyyears.com/learning-and-development/view/the-benefits-of-block-play

Schedule Your Call for The Confident ECE: https://calendly.com/newteachercoaching/confidentece

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