The amount of websites devoted to the early education field is vast, but it is just a matter of finding the ones and using them as technology tools to enhance your child care program in a productive manner. These modern tools can also have a positive and collaborative effect on your program. Finding a balance between your early educator teaching methods and the usage of technology tools can positively change the overall learning experience for you, your co-workers and the children in your child care program. As early educators, you will find it useful to have a list of resources that can assist in anything from organizing your day-to-day schedule as a professional, to inspirational ideas for your classroom and even parent engagement.
Below are five helpful technology tools and additional options to accommodate diverse preferences:
1. Trello – Need help getting organized? Trello can help you keep track of daily tasks, make checklists, and create groups for co-workers’ activities and inspirational boards for your current and future projects. You can also use: Google Docs, Edmodo, and Symbaloo.
2. WordPress – Being creative in the workplace is far from difficult with WordPress. Get inspired by creating a child care blog where you can post short articles about your program, including announcements, activities and videos to be shared with parents. You can also use: Wikispaces, and Skype.
3. Teaching Channel – Keep up with education trends around the country and learn more about various education topics through Teaching Channel. This site mainly features videos from an online community of educators, who wish to share their knowledge through educational videos on a wide range of topics such as “Listening and Speaking: Formative Assessment,” “Using Guided Relaxation in the Classroom,” and “Meeting Students’ Needs Through Leadership Teams.” You can also use: Coursera and Edutopia.
4. Seussville – It doesn’t get more fun than learning from “The Cat in the Hat,” “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” and other Dr. Seuss stories through fun activities and games. Seussville provides a page dedicated to educators where useful features like Dr. Seuss printables and activities, lesson plans, and “Educator’s Timeline,” a monthly calendar of activities according to Dr. Seuss inspired holidays and other events can be found. You can also use: Scholastic, Starfall, and ABCya!
5. Crayola– This site has great resources that will inspire you to create new crafts and activities in your daily classroom plan. Crayola for Educators has art techniques, provides weekly activities, and printable coloring pages, among other features. You can also use: Smithsonian Education, Discovery Education, and MoMA Learning.
By keeping up with technology and learning, you have the ability to grow as an early educator and inspire children under your care to follow your lead as they learn from your educational techniques. Consider that as early educators you have the power to be constantly creative and inspire young minds to use the variety of modern tools available to us. Additionally by using them, you show families that you are open to different learning and engagement approaches as an early childhood professional. If you have other educator resources to share with us, please tag us on our social media pages below.
Facebook: CDA Council for Professional Recognition
Twitter: @CDAcouncil
A couple of years before becoming a mother, I saw the classic movie Terms of Endearment. Before the opening credits, the film portrayed Aurora, played by Shirley MacLaine, as a worried mom who checked on...
“Every child deserves a champion,” said longtime teacher Rita Pierson in a famous TED talk. She was talking about “an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and...
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, I wanted to share how it is important for us all to reflect on women’s progress in the business world and the importance of supporting and empowering...
My mom called me up some years ago to praise a movie about a pig. As she began to mimic the pig’s squeaky little voice, I started to wonder what this meant and worried my...
It takes a village to raise a child, the old proverb tells us. But we need to expand our perspective, according to pediatric surgeon, social scientist and mom Dana Suskind. In her heartfelt work, Parent...
Dr. Calvin Moore shared that when he first arrived at the Council and took on the CEO role, he was focused on assessing the early childhood education (ECE) landscape, the reach of the organization and...
We have probably all seen the commercials this time of year when you can hear the popular holiday song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, playing in the background as parents dance joyously...
Did you know early childhood educators in Maryland have a special benefit that can help them and the children they serve? The Maryland State Department of Education has awarded a $1 million grant to the...
For the first time in three years, the Education Writers Association (EWA) gathered in person for their National Seminar in Orlando last month. The event drew journalists from across the country to hear from leaders...
Chief Operations Officer
Andrew Davis serves as Chief Operating Officer at the Council. In this role, Andrew oversees the Programs Division, which includes the following operational functions: credentialing, growth and business development, marketing and communications, public policy and advocacy, research, innovation, and customer relations.
Andrew has over 20 years of experience in the early care and education field. Most recently, Andrew served as Senior Vice President of Partnership and Engagement with Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning, where he led the expansion of state and community-based partnerships to produce more equitable systems of service delivery, improved programmatic quality, and greater outcomes for communities, children and families. Prior to that, he served as Director of Early Learning at Follett School Solutions.
Andrew earned his MBA from the University of Baltimore and Towson University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland – University College.
Chief Financial Officer
Jan Bigelow serves as Chief Financial Officer at the Council and has been with the organization since February of 2022.
Jan has more than 30 years in accounting and finance experience, including public accounting, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She has held management-level positions with BDO Seidman, Kiplinger Washington Editors, Pew Center for Global Climate Change, Communities In Schools, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and American Humane. Since 2003, Jan has worked exclusively in the non-profit sector where she has been a passionate advocate in improving business operations in order to further the mission of her employers.
Jan holds a CPA from the State of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lycoming College. She resides in Alexandria VA with her husband and dog.
Read our monthly e-newsletter and keep up to date on all Council programs and services, as well as the latest news in the world of early care and education. Subscribe today to stay connected with us. You’ll receive timely information on events, webinars, special promotions, and more.
