Enjoy this short, ad-free article from Early Childhood Rocks, a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the world through early childhood care and education. Every once in a while, after 50 years of teaching infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, I discover something new. This fall, it's the toddler timeline, and I use it daily to maintain my sanity and serenity. Here is an example: I don't use this version of the timeline with the toddlers I care for, though. I start fresh daily and use...

I've written a lot about whining over the years because, as an early childhood educator for the past 50 years, I've heard plenty of it. I've tried many different responses, and some work better than others. Here are a few: My ears don't hear that tone of voice. Ask me again, without whining, and I'll answer you. We don't serve whine at Nanci's. What am I waiting for? I use sign language by pointing to my ear after explaining that it means you are whining, and it won't be addressed. Giving...

Enjoy this ad-free post from Early Childhood Rocks, a nonprofit organization Some people feel that when a young child mistreats another young child, they need to receive immediate punishment to teach them a lesson. Others think they need to be reasoned with and gently told what the right thing to do is over and over again until it sinks in. But another question remains. Could we teach young children to problem-solve instead? Is that even possible? Problem-Solving Science and research can...