See how our everyday interactions with children matter.

Car Dealership

Connection, Reciprocity, Opportunities to Grow

Playing together often creates teachable moments for sharing. By joining the children in play, Ms. Thomas gently defused a potential conflict and guided the children to play and share with one another.

Jump to Bed

Connection, Reciprocity

Few children willingly and swiftly go down to nap. This experienced staff took her time to allow each child make a game out of going down to nap. No drama. No conflict. But a lot of friendly banter, patience, and humor!

Moo Bahhh Reading Time

Connection, Belonging

This video is contributed by Ms. Devore. Simple reading time with an enthused teacher is a time to learn and a time to be part of the group. Attitudes are caught, not taught. Love of reading is certainly contagious here!

Nap Time Story

Connection, Reciprocity, Belonging

What do you do when a child is brand new to your child care and cries for mommy at naptime? Ms. Devore, a seasoned provider of a small home-based child care, makes creative use of whatever she had on hand to help a little girl feel safe and connected—and yes, eventually to fall asleep.

Up From Nap

Connection, Reciprocity, Belonging

This video is contributed by Cherie. Sometimes, the most important indicator of quality care can be about the most routine activities. Giving each child space, time, and his or her own way to get up from nap time helps to smooth the transition into what is coming up next.

I Did It Myself

Connection, Belonging, Opportunities to Grow

Tending to the different skill levels of each child while organizing a whole group in the same activity take a lot of attentiveness of the educator. In this craft activity, the staff carefully scaffolds and encourages a young child to attempt something difficult—and the child knows that she accomplished something worthwhile!

Junk Mail Lullaby

Connection, Reciprocity, Belonging

Sometimes, our spur-of-the-moment decision and action are born out of years of experience caring for children. In this extended version, we have the opportunity to hear from Ms. Devore the provider as well as the young mother of the child. Interestingly, the mother herself was a child under Ms. Devore’s care many years ago!

Mustache

Connection, Reciprocity, Belonging

This video is contributed by a provider. This is an example of what you can film yourself to capture the good in your practice. The video captured fun interactions while the teacher and children play together.

Shopping List

Connection, Belonging, Opportunities to Grow

This video is contributed by a provider. A video clip does not have to be professional and polished. Even simple video captured on a grainy cell phone camera can tell us a lot about how we are helping children learn and grow. From making a list and going shopping, a lot is happening in these brief clips.

Walk Around the Block

Belonging, Opportunities to Grow

Ushering a large group of children around the street block isn’t quite so simple. But finding something along the way to notice and talk about makes it a lot easier. This provider makes the best use of transition time to help children see their neighborhood on the way to the playground.