CAN Voices

By the Council Alumni Network (CAN)A menudo escuchamos la frase “aprendizaje durante toda la vida”, pero para los educadores de la primera infancia, no es solo un lema. Es una necesidad, una mentalidad y, en muchos sentidos, un acto de cuidado personal y colectivo.Cuando seguimos aprendiendo, damos lo mejor de nosotros a los niños y las familias que servimos.Aprender es parte del trabajoLa educaci

By the Council Alumni Network (CAN)We often hear the phrase “lifelong learning”—but for early childhood educators, it’s more than a slogan. It’s a necessity, a mindset, and in many ways, a radical act of self and community care.When we embrace learning for ourselves, we show up better for the children and families we serve.Learning Is Part of the WorkThe field of early care and education is consta

The Council is closed for our annual Staff Retreat until Thursday, August 15th. During this time, our Customer Care Center, YourCouncil online application system, and bookstore will remain open and available for customers. We look forward to serving you when we return on August 16th.We appreciate your understanding as we provide our employees with this special professional development, wellness, a

Written by: Maisah Williams-FooteThe word “matter,” when used as a verb, means “be of importance, have significance.” When asked what “matters” in early childhood, the response often involves the benefits of high-quality early childhood education. Research supports that children who experience quality early learning and care programs, as published on the Start Early website, are:   25% more likely

Written by: Andrea GibbsDistractions are ubiquitous challenges in every learning space. Yet, these interruptions can significantly stunt cognitive and social growth for toddlers whose attention spans are as fleeting as their vast curiosity. Daycare educators are entrusted with the care and the critical task of sharpening young minds to navigate and rise above the hum of diversions. As we embrace t

By: The LENA Team, https://www.lena.org   A preschool teacher at Jack and Jill Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, talks with two of the children in her care during a “LENA Day,” when children wear an innovative device that analyzes how much interaction they experience.   Would it surprise you to hear that one in five children in child care has almost zero verbal interaction with their teachers? T

Estamos encantados de anunciar la serie de webinarios CDA para este año 2024, un conjunto completo de webinarios dedicados al Sistema de certificación de Asociado en Desarrollo Infantil (CDA). Esta serie está diseñada para servir a nuestras diversas comunidades en los EE. UU. y sus territorios. Nuestro objetivo es brindarle toda la información que necesita sobre el proceso de preparación, solicitu

We are thrilled to announce the CDA Webinar Series - a comprehensive suite of webinars dedicated to the Child Development Associate (CDA) credentialing system. This series is designed to serve diverse communities across the USA and its territories. We aim to provide all the information you need about the CDA preparation, application, and assessment process. Each session will also offer a Spanish v

We are excited to announce the 2024 CDA Home Visitor Webinar Series presented in English and Spanish! This series has been designed to provide clear and accurate information about the CDA Credentialing System for educators working in the Home Visiting Program. Join us as the Council discusses the importance of this credential and the professional growth opportunities it offers home visitors. Get u

Join us for an exciting webinar series in 2024! Early Childhood Education Registered Apprenticeship.In collaboration with the Early Childhood Workforce Connector, the Council for Professional Recognition presents The Early Childhood Education Registered Apprenticeship: Webinar Series. The series offers valuable insights for early childhood educator directors/administrators, childcare owners, state

Escrito por Alecia Carter ¿Estás listo para comenzar el nuevo año con una nueva perspectiva? Mientras nos despedimos del año pasado y contemplamos las posibilidades del nuevo, es esencial tomarnos un tiempo para reflexionar. Reflexionar sobre el pasado puede proporcionar información valiosa y ayudarnos a establecer intenciones significativas para el futuro. Establecer intenciones es un proceso de

Written by Alecia Carter Are you ready to start the new year with a fresh perspective? As we bid farewell to the past year and embrace the possibilities of the new one, it's essential to take some time for reflection. Reflecting on the past can provide valuable insights and help us set meaningful intentions for the future. Setting intentions is a process of setting clear intentions and direction f

Escrito por Angela A. Wilson Cuando era niño, ¿le animaban a decir "gracias" cuando alguien le regalaba algo? Por supuesto, eso puede haber sido un intento de promover los buenos modales, pero también puede haber ocurrido algo aún más importante. Animar a los niños a reconocer y expresar agradecimiento es la base para cultivar una actitud de gratitud. Ser consciente o estar atento es un paso funda

Written by Angela A. WilsonAs a child, were you encouraged to say "thank you" when someone gave you something? Of course, that may have been an attempt to promote good manners, but there may also have been an even more important development occurring. Encouraging children to acknowledge and express thankfulness is the basis for cultivating an attitude of gratitude.Being aware, or mindful, is a fou

Written by: Katorra Enoch-LongshoreAs a black early education professional attending the NBCDI 2023 conference, the importance of creating a better future for Black children holds monumental importance both professionally and personally. The powerful discussions and connections made with fellow early education professionals deeply moved me. The emphasis on targeted universalism and NBCDI's compreh

With over twenty years of experience, Maisah has dedicated herself to guiding the strategic direction and successful implementation of early childhood organizations, fostering both nonprofit and for-profit business development, and managing federal and state-funded initiatives aimed at addressing systemic barriers to quality education for children and their families. Her unwavering dedication to a

Written by: Vilma M. WilliamsOne of the most wonderful aspects of being part of the CDA community is knowing that our actions to support a diverse early childhood education workforce reflect a deep and sustained commitment.   The Council’s commitment to diversity is unparalleled:    We don’t simply extoll the virtues of diversity, we live it!   The Council offers the CDA credential to an early edu

Angela A. Wilson is the owner and president of Esteem Life Coaching. For more than 30 years, Angela has served children, educators, and families in the early childhood field by providing classroom instruction, professional development, educational resources, conference presentations and life coaching support.  She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensbor

Chieftess Olufemi Yeshua El is an Entrepreneur, Consultant, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategist (DEI), and Educator. Chair, NYAEYC DEI committee, engaging members and non-members in Courageous Conversations along with the other committee members. She was involved in helping to create The Harlem Playspace and Learning Center, the first Playspace in Harlem for families with newborns to three

Written by Alecia Carter Self-care is not a selfish act. In fact, it's an essential part of maintaining good mental health and well-being. So why do we often view self-care as selfish or self-indulgent? The truth is, taking care of yourself is necessary to take care of others and to be the best version of yourself. According to Southern New Hampshire University, engaging in self-care has been clin