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Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, conference, huddle, and training rooms, as well as executive offices and classrooms. Founded in 2011, Zoom helps businesses and organizations bring their teams together in a frictionless environment to get more done. Zoom is a publicly traded company headquartered in San Jose, CA.

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Jennifer Gillespie (Instructional Coach)'s Personal Meeting Room

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9178322664?pwd=dXVuNEtCUFd3RXZySnp0cGU5WVVMQT09

Meeting ID: 917 832 2664

Passcode: #4code

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Optional

Tuesday @ 1:30pm (monthly)

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Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, conference, huddle, and training rooms, as well as executive offices and classrooms. Founded in 2011, Zoom helps businesses and organizations bring their teams together in a frictionless environment to get more done. Zoom is a publicly traded company headquartered in San Jose, CA.

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https://padlet.com/ectrop/gold-introduction-to-gold-exploring-my-teaching-strategies-emn2s49f1ue3kztq

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Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, conference, huddle, and training rooms, as well as executive offices and classrooms. Founded in 2011, Zoom helps businesses and organizations bring their teams together in a frictionless environment to get more done. Zoom is a publicly traded company headquartered in San Jose, CA.

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Joining the Pre-K Grant: Requirements and Opportunities

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Joining the Pre-K Grant: Requirements and Opportunities

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Resources and Inspiration for the Ball Study

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Setting Up Your Classroom for Creative Curriculum

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Setting Up Your Classroom for Creative Curriculum

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A quick tutorial on how to make your weekly/monthly teaching plans online.

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Cohort Meeting - Fourth Tuesdays at 1:30pm, 10/26, 11/28, 12/19, 1/23, 2/27, 3/26, 4/23, 5/28

All Team Meetings: January 25th, May 23rd 6:30-8:00pm

Checkpoints for TSG: 12/8, 3/9, 6/14

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We should all be completing this initial study around the 17th of November (Friday).

We will aim to start the Ball Study the week of Thanksgiving.

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https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85839106870?pwd=V3VwT3oyd1p5Qnp5ajJyOERWMmI5Zz09

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Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, conference, huddle, and training rooms, as well as executive offices and classrooms. Founded in 2011, Zoom helps businesses and organizations bring their teams together in a frictionless environment to get more done. Zoom is a publicly traded company headquartered in San Jose, CA.

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Teaching Strategies for Early Childhood Education

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The First Six Weeks: Building Your Classroom Community

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Due on the first of each month

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Please click the link to complete this form.

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Due on the 28th of each month (for fastest payment)

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Please click the link to complete this form.

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From DAP to DEEP: Exploring the New NAEYC Position Statement on Developmentally Appropriate Practice

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Teaching Strategies for Early Childhood Education

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Introducing The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool, Guided Edition

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Educators who engage in developmentally appropriate practice foster young children’s joyful learning and maximize the opportunities for each and every child to achieve their full potential.

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Maryland EXCELS is the state's quality rating and improvement system for child care and early education programs that meet nationally recognized quality standards. Maryland EXCELS rates the quality of child care and early education programs on a scale of 1 to 5.

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December 8th, March 8th, June 14th

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Features

Maryland Rebuilds is a Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) grant opportunity designed to support the state's child care system in utilizing federal funds to stabilize, strengthen, and sustain the child care system and mitigate the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic.

This funding opportunity is designed for licensed child care providers. Applicants may be a family home child care provider, a large family home child care provider, a child care center, or an education program under a Letter of Compliance.

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has been awarded a $26.8 million Preschool Development Birth through Five (PDG B-5) Renewal Grant.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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Maryland Rebuilds is a Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) grant opportunity designed to support the state's child care system in utilizing federal funds to stabilize, strengthen, and sustain the child care system and mitigate the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding opportunity is designed for licensed child care providers.

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Teaching Strategies Early Childhood Education Blog

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Explore our blog to learn from experts about innovative classroom strategies, early childhood education best practices, product updates & more

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Please click the link to complete this form.

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The Praxis tests measure the knowledge and skills needed to prepare for the classroom.

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National Association for Family Child Care

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Home-based Child Care

The only national professional association dedicated solely to promoting high-quality early care and education in home-based settings

Power of FCC Voices

Amplifying the genuine perspective of FCC across the country to inform federal policy while building the collective power of FCC at state and local levels

Continuing Education

Stay current on the latest. Minimize legal risks. Continue your quality journey. Move up in your profession.

Equity in Quality

Quality markers informed by equity and relevant and applicable to the home-based setting

Latest News

Stay up to date with what's happening in the field

Strong Alliance: NAFCC and FFCHA Partner to Empower Family Child Care Across Counties

At the heart of every child's growth and development lies a nurturing environment, and the cornerstone of that environment often rests within the caring confines of family child care.

Imagining a Day Without Child Care: Supporting All Child Care Educators

Imagining a day without child care almost seems almost unimaginable. We'd see a butterfly effect of children unable to access their regularly trusted and qualified child care educators causing parents, guardians, families and others to assume yet another role, all while disabling them from continuing their work and maintaining their regularly scheduled lives. At NAFCC...

NAFCC "On the Move" (April Highlights)

April was an eventful and empowering month for the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), as team members and NAFCC members embarked on a journey of advocacy, collaboration, and recognition within early childhood education. From prestigious White House gatherings to impactful state-level conferences, each event was crafted to uplift and amplify the voices of...

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Home-based Child Care The only national professional association dedicated solely to promoting high-quality early care and education in home-based settings Power of FCC Voices Amplifying the genuine perspective of FCC across the country to inform federal policy while building the collective power of FCC at state and local levels Continuing Education Stay current on the latest.

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Erin Mullinex, Taneytown

Olga Baranova, Mount Airy

Urvi Pandya, Woodbine

Destinee Stewart, Suitland

Marla Houston, Clinton

Khadijah Robaina, Waldorf

Rebecca Quinn, Bel Air

Lisa Feldman, Aberdeen

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MARYLAND FAMILIES ENGAGE - It's never too early to ENGAGE, CONNECT, AND LEARN

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All early care and education providers can support families by promoting a nutritious diet and healthy eating habits in babies and children, which will lead to children's healthy growth and development. All early care and education providers can support families by helping them to find consistent medical care and encouraging them to have their children monitored regularly.

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Friday, June 7th 8:00am-5:00pm

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Please click the link to complete this form.

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Jennifer is thrilled to join the FCCA Aspire team! She comes from New York City where she spent the past 13 years supporting parents, teachers, and students from 2 to 62. She began her career as a preschool inclusion teacher working closely with parents in the classroom at the West Side Co-Op School. She transitioned into supporting young learners with special needs in schools all around NYC as a Special Education Itinerant Teacher. After completing her Master's degree in Educational Psychology at Hunter College, Jennifer joined the research team for the FamSCLE project and began to teach courses at Hunter College and supervise CUNY graduate students at their worksites. Jennifer continued to take on new roles and experiences including Director of Imagine Early Learning, SETSS at Luria Academy, and Executive Functioning Coach at Educational Connections.

Her newest role in the early education field is as a parent of a 15-month-old. After looking at various childcare options, Jennifer knew that family childcare was the best place for her son to have a warm, playful, and individualized experience. Her son is lucky to have childcare that feels like a loving second home and a wonderful second family! On the weekends, Jennifer takes her husband and son to the many outdoor and unique events she finds in her new home in Frederick, MD.

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The Maryland State Family Child Care Association (MSFCCA) is a non-profit organization that supports and advocates for family child care providers in Maryland. MSFCCA offers a variety of resources and services to help providers improve their businesses, including training, networking opportunities, and advocacy.

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Brightwheel | The Easiest All-in-One Childcare Software & App

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See why brightwheel is the #1 childcare management software for preschools and child care. The all-in-one platform is built to save you and your staff time.

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GOLD Training - Friday, October 13th 9:00am-4:00pm

Brightwheel - Monday, October 30th 1:30-2:30pm

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Please click the link to complete this form.

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What's A Judy Center?

The Judith P. Hoyer Center Early Learning Hubs, also known as "Judy Centers," benefit everyone in Maryland by improving the quality of life for families. Through a dedicated staff of early learning professionals, they help prepare children age birth through kindergarten for school readiness. Located at Title I schools in every Maryland county, Judy Centers play an important role in the communities they serve.

Judy Center Services

Judy Center Early Learning Hubs prepare children for success in school and life. By connecting families with high-quality, comprehensive, full-day, full-year early education services, the Judy Centers promote school readiness for children ages birth through five. Utilizing a multigenerational approach for families and children, and providing professional development for early childhood educators, Judy Centers help to support all of the adults in a child's early years.

Judy Centers are uniquely positioned to support Maryland's youngest learners by empowering a child's first teacher- their families. Through various family engagement activities, such as playgroups and other family education events, Judy Centers help families to learn new ways to engage with their children. Years of research support the importance of positive early experiences as a foundation for future academic success. Judy Centers are critical in offering these experiences directly to children and instructing families to conduct similar experiences independently.

Each Judy Center is unique in meeting the needs of its communities. Still, all have common requirements and standards to coordinate the work and assist the staff in meeting their goals for families. Judy Centers provide services or connect families with local service providers for some of the following options:

Adult Education

Case Management

Developmental and Health Screenings

Family Engagement Activities

Parenting Classes

Playgroups

Early Intervention Identification

The location and contact information for each Judy Center can be found at marylandjudycenters.org.

For more information about the Judy Centers, please contact:

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The Judith P. Hoyer Center Early Learning Hubs, also known as "Judy Centers," benefit everyone in Maryland by improving the quality of life for families. Through a dedicated staff of early learning professionals, they help prepare children age birth through kindergarten for school readiness.

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We all remember getting worksheets when we were in school. These lesson aids were positioned as informative, fun, and necessary for us as students to retain the curriculum. But, in modern pedagogy, instructors are rethinking the utility of worksheets, especially in early childhood education. In fact, worksheets may be developmentally inappropriate and work against children learning their preschool curriculum effectively.

In this article, we'll discuss why preschool worksheets don't work 100% of the time, and developmentally appropriate activities preschool teachers can use to set the foundation for their children's future learning instead.

Source
What are preschool worksheets?

Preschool worksheets are lesson aids meant to help young children dive deeper into their curriculum. There are a variety of worksheet styles teachers use, but the most common are those that allow children to trace or write a letter repeatedly, draw lines from pictures to numbers or letters, or mark letters to differentiate between uppercase and lowercase letters.

On the surface, preschool worksheets seem to be beneficial for children to learn and grow the foundation of their knowledge, but in reality, many believe that worksheets aren't developmentally appropriate for preschool-aged children.

Why are worksheets not developmentally appropriate?

From two to seven, children are firmly in the preoperational stage of brain development. One of the major pillars of this developmental stage is that children begin to think symbolically and rely on their intuition, rather than logic, to understand the world around them. They'll need to fully move into the next developmental stage, concrete operational, to start understanding logical reasoning.

Worksheets require logical reasoning to understand and complete, mainly because they often have a "right" answer. At this stage of brain development, children are much more focused on performing make-believe, working on their language and attention span, and working out how the world around them works. So, giving them a lesson aid that doesn't play to their strengths can work against their long-term development.

Below are some other reasons why worksheets aren't developmentally appropriate.

Worksheets do not accommodate all learners

Another thing to consider is that worksheets don't accommodate all learners. They don't consider that even though every preschooler is technically in the same development stage, not all of them will be at the same level within it. Children progress at different rates and learn in different ways-which is perfectly normal-but because every child has the same worksheet, these nuances can't be considered.

Worksheets focus on short-term success

Worksheets aren't developmentally appropriate because these lesson aids typically focus on short-term success rather than long-term understanding. Worksheets are generally given to help drill down a concept, but what they can fail to do is help children understand the core meaning behind it. For example, a worksheet can help children memorize their ABCs, but without context, they won't understand that letters are the building blocks of all the words they say and read. Preschool should be about the process, not the product, but worksheets focus on the product.

Worksheets discourage socialization

Children aren't able to form rational connections based on logic at this stage, and they aren't able to work together to help each other complete their tasks. At this age, children are still learning social skills. Worksheets are naturally solitary activities, so children are missing out on vital opportunities to develop further, which could cause them to disengage from learning moving forward.

Worksheets can lessen a child's confidence in themselves

Because worksheets are designed to have a "right" answer, they also have a wrong answer. Worksheets are abstract, meaning there is a set logic for getting to an answer. At this young age, children use tangible reasoning, as well as trial and error, to help them understand the world around them. So, because they can't use these methods to complete a worksheet, they can easily get discouraged if they don't know the answer.

Worksheets can take away from more meaningful learning opportunities

Preschoolers thrive in environments where they can play and engage with their classmates and teachers. Worksheets take away from this environment because they're naturally solitary activities. So, teachers should use hands-on methods instead of worksheets to teach preschoolers.

So, why use worksheets in the classroom?

At their core, worksheets can help reinforce a concept so children can better understand what they've just learned. And while worksheets aren't developmentally or academically appropriate for preschool classrooms, they can be effective teaching aids for older children in a completely different stage of brain development to learn their curriculum.

In later stages of childhood development, children can apply logical reasoning to get to a specific answer. Worksheets work well here because children in later stages of development can work independently or in groups to figure out the answer. Then, once they've completed the worksheet, their work can be assessed and corrected to ensure the concept sticks.

How to teach without worksheets

Moving away from using worksheets in a preschool classroom is easy. You'll need to build lesson plans that prioritize developmentally appropriate and hands-on activities that engage your class. Here are some alternatives to worksheets.

Developmentally appropriate practice

Developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) considers a child's individual needs and their social and cultural contexts to create an engaging learning experience. With this method, teachers can learn about each child's strengths, needs, and interests and leverage their child development knowledge to determine the best ways to teach their children. For example, teachers may personalize lessons and activities and set classroom expectations that reflect diverse values and cultures. Developmentally appropriate practice encourages teachers to create a learning environment where children are emotionally supported and motivated to attempt challenging skills. Through observation, teachers can track their children's progress toward mastering new skills and encourage them to use their skills to complete new tasks.

Play-based learning

Another alternative to worksheets is incorporating play-based learning. Play-based learning is an approach that uses play as a context for learning. As children play, they engage their imagination, take risks, and learn problem-solving to support their development. It's an unstructured, process-oriented system that helps children create context around the concepts they've learned while also helping aid their social and cognitive development. So, instead of using worksheets to reinforce concepts and memorize content, activities like pretend cooking, singing and acting, or roleplaying can help children achieve similar results in a more hands-on and developmentally appropriate way.

Inquiry-based learning

Inquiry-based learning is a teaching practice that encourages children to use critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills to solve a problem. Challenging your children to think critically and solve problems based on their own experiences will create a more well-rounded learning experience than worksheets can provide. This is because inquiry-based learning allows children to use their intuition to come up with a solution to a problem. With this type of learning, there's not necessarily a "right" way to get to an answer; instead, each individual can use their knowledge and experience to devise their own solution.

Download our free daily lesson plan template and customize it to suit your teaching style and children's needs.

The bottom line

There are many reasons why preschool worksheets aren't the best teaching resource in an early education setting, and teachers should fully understand them before building a curriculum around these resources. Instead of worksheets, teachers should use hands-on, engaging methods that incorporate play, developmentally appropriate activities, and child-led exploration and experimentation. In a classroom without worksheets, preschoolers will be in a learning environment that supports their individual strengths and needs where they can fully thrive.

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Worksheet Woes: Why Worksheets Don't Work in a Preschool Curriculum

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Learn the reasons why preschool worksheets don't work in early education and ways teachers can engage more meaningfully with their children.

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To be shared after our first cohort meetings!

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https://form.jotform.com/232675814227056

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The Child Care Career and Professional Development Fund (CCCPDF) is a tuition assistance program for child care providers to obtain a college education at participating colleges/universities in Maryland. Funding is available for child care providers to earn a college degree in the following areas:

Early Childhood Education

Child Development

Elementary Education

Special Education

The fund does not reimburse participants as the payments are made directly to the college or university. MSDE will notify applicants of whether or not they have received fund approval.
CCCPDF Grant Application Guide
Application Due Dates

First-time applications are due by March 1.

Continuation applications are due by June 30.

Transfer applications (students transferring from a participating 2-year college to a participating 4-year university) due by June 30

First-time applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority is given to applicants who have not yet completed any college courses for credit from an accredited college or university.

CCCPDF

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Child Care Career and Professional Development Fund (CCCPDF)

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The Child Care Career and Professional Development Fund (CCCPDF) is a tuition assistance program for child care providers to obtain a college education at participating colleges/universities in Maryland. Funding is available for child care providers to earn a college degree in the following areas: Early Childhood Education Child Development Elementary Education Special Education The fund does not reimburse participants as the payments are made directly to the college or university.