Early Childhood Educators

Susan believes that PreK and Kindergarten teachers are the most important educators in a child’s life because they set the tone for the future.  As early childhood educators and leaders, we have a tremendous responsibility to ensure children experience joy, success, and appropriate challenge.  Children at these ages come to us full of wonder and curiosity and we must capitalize and enrich these gifts through developmentally appropriate practices.  The following topics can be presentations or workshops or can be developed over time with support from Susan as a process consultant.

Think about the experiences children have when they come from literate homes.  This session focuses on simulating that literate home in the classroom through the creation of a meaningful print-rich environment.  As children engage in play experiences, teachers intentionally integrate opportunities to explore reading and writing in developmentally appropriate ways.  Susan will share ways to do this, so children find joy in literacy.

This session will focus on an overview of developmentally appropriate practices as outlined by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children).  Teachers and administrators will learn what is considered appropriate and what is not.

Susan developed an emergent literacy model for small group instruction.  The model is based on where the children are on the literacy continuum. Through planned experiences, the teacher builds on children’s strengths each day, going from the known to the unknown.  The priority for this model is to ensure children experience joy while they grow as emergent readers and writers.

Children come to their first teacher with varying skills and talents.  Through an intentional design of learning experiences and centers, teachers can provide opportunities for children to be appropriately challenged and successful.