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The journey of a person through the lifespan is an intricate tapestry of experiences, challenges and growth, which I see as a continuous process marked by the evolution of intellectual change, the development of wisdom and the inescapable march of the change and growth process itself. These key ideas are deeply intertwined and reflect myRead More…

Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, label, express and regulate emotions (self and others) in appropriate and effective ways. Resilience is the ability to cope with stress, adversity ad change in positive and adaptive ways.  (I have previously discussed ‘resiliency’ here: Bouncing Back : How to nurture resiliency across the lifespan.) Both emotionalRead More…

When the success of one person’s efforts is dependent on the contribution of others, the condition of trust is critical.   This is certainly the case in ECE settings. Trust is developed when relationships are characterised by reliability and honesty (Hunter, Bailey, & Taylor, 1999). Fostering a trusting and collaborative environment and building and maintainingRead More…

Collaboration and consensus decision-making is easier within smaller groups of teachers. It is still important, however, that ECE leaders develop their problem-solving expertise and become skilled in facilitating discussions and encouraging participation in the formulation of workable solutions to complex problems (Robinson, et al, 2009). Solving complex problems requires a combination of analytical thinking, creativity,Read More…

Early childhood educators are leaders who have the influence, authority and responsibility to create a positive learning environment for children, families, colleagues and themselves. They also face many challenges and demands that can cause stress and burnout, which can affect their physical, mental and emotional health, as well as their performance and relationships. Therefore, itRead More…