S1. Episode 1: The Heart of Teaching Toddlers - Pt 1.
Part 1 of 2, the Heart of Teaching Toddlers is continued in Season 1, Episode 2.
On this episode nationally renowned author and early childhood expert, Deb Curtis passionately shares her expertise about educating young learners. To increase learning for both children and educators she shares The Thinking Lens as a tool to support teachers in taking time to pause, listen, and reflect on what children are offering. Deb’s gift is noticing toddlers’ incredible competence and creativity and using it as a springboard to finding solutions to common challenges in toddlerhood like biting and sharing. Listen to find out insightful ways Deb has found to support toddlers’ learning and development.
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About our guest
Deb Curtis
Deb Curtis has spent the past 40 years working with children and teachers in early childhood programs, observing and studying children and child development. Along with teaching children, Deb has worked with early childhood educators in college settings, seminars, and institutes all over North America, New Zealand, and Australia. She has also been working as a toddler mentor teacher for the past ten years. She is the co-author of 10 books related to working with young children.
Show Notes
Check out the links below to documents and resources mentioned in this episode.
The Thinking Lens (2007), Deb Curtis, Margie Carter, & Ann Pelo
https://www.uwyo.edu/wind/_files/docs/echo/ec-resources/session-materials-thinking-lens-1.pdf
If you are interested in learning more from Deb Curtis click here to listen to her ECHO session webinars.
Children’s Lively Minds: Schema Theory Made Visible (2019), Deb Curtis & Nadia Jaboneta
Viewing children’s repetitive behaviors through the lens of schema theory can help us understand what’s really going on in children’s brains and know how to scaffold their learning.
Designs for Living and Learning (2014), Deb Curtis & Margie Carter
With hundreds of colorful photographs, this book is full of ideas that can be used as you create captivating environments that nurture children, families, and staff while supporting children's learning. It is full of simple and practical concepts for creative indoor and outdoor spaces and learning materials. This book truly is a source of inspiration as you learn how to shape welcoming spaces where children can learn and grow.
Learning Together with Young Children (2017), Deb Curtis & Margie Carter
This book puts children at the center of planning your curriculum. Learn to create a welcoming classroom culture, use The Thinking Lens, develop routines for self-regulation, and use Learning Stories to enhance experiences for the children in your care.
The Art of Awareness: How Observation Can Transform Your Teaching, Third Edition (2022), Deb Curtis & Margie Carter
The art of observing children is more than merely the act of watching them—it is also using what you see and hear to craft new opportunities in your classroom. It will help early childhood educators learn to observe in new ways, witness children's remarkable competencies as they experience childhood, and find new joy in their work with children.
Learn more about these resources at redleafpress.org or childcareexchange.com
