TK educators in Glenn County recently participated in a transformative professional development driven by the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL). This initiative is designed to enhance the social-emotional development and school readiness of young children from birth to age 5, aligning with the new Transitional Kindergarten (TK) standards that prioritize age-appropriate learning. This training marks the first in a series of ongoing professional development sessions aimed at equipping our teachers with the tools and strategies necessary for success in the evolving educational landscape.
During the training, our teachers engaged in a comprehensive exploration of evidence-based practices aimed at promoting young children's social-emotional competence and effectively addressing challenging behaviors. They utilized their prior knowledge of the CSEFEL Pyramid Model to align and plan for social-emotional classroom supports and instruction.
The training emphasized the importance of creating early learning environments that support holistic child development. Our teachers learned how to organize and manage various learning spaces, including classroom settings, play areas, caregiving spaces, and outdoor environments. They developed skills in crafting developmentally appropriate schedules and lesson plans that encourage choice, play, exploration, and experimentation.
Additionally, participants focused on equipping these environments with age-appropriate resources that reflect children's home cultures and adapt to their evolving interests and characteristics over time. This approach aims to foster a nurturing and inclusive learning atmosphere for all students.
To further enhance their understanding of effective TK classroom environments, our administrators also engaged in key activities, including:
- Walking the Room: Observing and assessing the physical setup of TK classrooms
- The Daily Schedule: Structuring the day to balance various learning activities and transitions.
- Transitions: Learning strategies for managing smooth transitions between activities.
- Learning Centers: Creating dedicated spaces for different types of learning and play.
- Providing Choice: Offering children choices to foster independence and engagement.
- Child-Centered Curriculum: Developing curricula that prioritize the needs and interests of the children.
- Early Childhood Rating Scale: Utilizing standardized tools to assess and enhance the quality of the learning environment.
This professional development training empowers our teachers to foster the social-emotional and academic growth of their students, ensuring a strong foundation for their future learning experiences. We are excited to see how these new strategies will positively impact our classrooms and the children we serve.