Prior to creating the Transform Challenging Behavior Online Conference and TCB Teachers’ Club I traveled to give conference presentations, train teachers, and consult with EC programs. 

I LOVED it.

…and then, I’ll be honest: I got tired.

Until recently I’ve stuck with that decision, politely declining invitations to deliver keynote talks and responding to requests for private trainings with a short list of trusted colleagues.

But I’ve missed seeing some of you all in-person! 

I decided I would resume in-person. But, pace myself. Taking care of myself: what a concept!

I dream of a world where every early childhood teacher has what they need.

Early childhood teachers are usually expected to magically know how to work with children who hit, swear, disrupt, defy, refuse to cooperate, and run out of the room.

Children do a whole host of behaviors that can be scary, unpredictable, and puzzling. 

(And many behaviors that are wonderful, of course).

Most early childhood teachers have not had adequate training to prepare them for this.

…and many don’t get enough support with challenging behavior day-to-day.

Happy New Year! I’m late but wanted to acknowledge it.

I love a New Year.

Whether it’s a new calendar year, a new school year, the winter solstice when the days start getting longer, a birthday, or learning about cultures or religions that have a holiday celebrating a new year or even just a new period in life. 

Any excuse for a fresh start is a good thing in my book!

Currently I am mulling on what I can create for you in 2024 that might be of help.

Can you share your input? 

What do you MOST need help with right now?

If you’ve been around me and Transform Challenging Behavior for awhile then you know I’m a HUGE advocate of using a Teacher Puppet (also known as a Class Puppet).

A Teacher Puppet is a special puppet that only you as the teacher use.

If you need a little inspiration to start using your Teacher Puppet more here you go…

On the last blog, we talked about Xavier needing support during clean up time.

We explored giving the whole class a five-minute warning, giving Xavier a 1:1 reminder of the five-minute warning, and then announcing (or singing) that it’s time to clean up when those five minutes are up.

But what if that wasn’t enough? What if Xavier still struggles to clean up?

How can you use what you know about Xavier to motivate him to transition and prevent behavior problems?

Seeing a lot of challenging behavior during your classroom transitions?

Transitions are tough.

Not just for kids but for many of us as adults.

I still remember that when I was a new preschool teacher at the University of Minnesota Child Development Center in the early 1990s our Ed Director, Sherry, did a fabulous workshop on transitions. She pointed out that even for us as adults, transitions can be hard. She referenced packing for a vacation as an exciting yet stressful transition. How many of us get discombobulated or fight with our loved ones during transitions as small as getting out of the house in the morning….or as big as getting ready to move to a new home?

I’m not sure if you know this, but the Transform Challenging Behavior framework, is based on an understanding of:

• How the brain works, so both teachers and children can stay calm and regulated. (brain-based)

• Research finding that Children of Color are disproportionately suspended and expelled from preschool due implicit bias. (equity-educated)

• The power of play to motivate and connect with the hardest to reach children. (play-powered)

There’s more to the TCB approach than that, but those 3 key ideas are threaded throughout everything I teach.

Are you a storyteller?

Most early childhood teachers (hopefully!) read stories several times a day (at least once?) but what about oral storytelling? That’s when you tell a story from your mind (and heart!) after “putting the book down.”

It could be your best effort to memorize and paraphrase an easy and repetitive book like The Very Hungry Caterpillar (hence the phrase “putting the book down”) or it could be a story you made up. Or, even a story from your own life.

Do you have children who get REALLY upset and have trouble returning to calm?

See children grabbing or otherwise struggle to control their impulses?

Or, have one or more children in your preschool class who are bursting with energy and can’t seem to “down-regulate” and pay attention during story time or morning meeting?

If so, you may have wondered how best to teach children to self regulate.

Are you excited? I AM.

Registration for our free Transform Challenging Behavior Training Series opens next week!

Is this opportunity right for you?