Conscious Discipline Parenting Support

September 13th a large group of parents attended Jennifer Hearne and Beth Reeder's presentation.  At WCS, Conscious Discipline guides our classroom management strategies and supports social and emotional growth in our young learners. When parents and teachers speak the same language and share common expectations the children are more successful regulating their emotions and behavior and ultimately have more focus on learning. We captured this wonderful presentation on video. You can view it here in four 15 minute segments We also have copies of the corresponding book "Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline" by Dr. Becky Bailey in the EC office if you would like to purchase a copy for $11.
I hope you enjoy learning more about Conscious Discipline!

WCS Parent meeting CD part 1

WCS Parent meeting CD part 2

WCS Parent meeting CD part 3

WCS Parent meeting CD part 4

When joy multiplies

This week I want to celebrate one of our school's greatest resources, the parents. I asked a few parents to consider helping our teachers create some artwork for an upcoming school event.  I knew that this group of parents would help if their schedules would allow. I knew that they would be organized and creative. I was confident that they would make adorable pieces of art with our little ones. What I did not anticipate was how much joy they would create in the process. As this photograph shows, the parents had as much fun as the children. I am in awe of the respectful, kind, generous way these loving ladies brought joy into each others lives and made lasting memories for all 230 children in our school.  My heart is overflowing with happiness and gratitude.
The artwork will be ready for display soon and  I can hardly wait to see the joy on the children's faces when they show it to their parents.

Welcome to my blog

I have designed this blog with parents and teachers of young children in mind.  I hope you will find this blog helpful as you enjoy the journey of the early childhood years. I have spent my life working with young children and I have walked in your shoes as a parent. Please use this blog as a resource and a place to share ideas with others. Our collective wisdom and experiences shared will be the 'village' of support we long for in raising healthy, happy, productive citizens of our world. 

Blessings to you and your family, 
Becky O'Hearn
Head of Early Childhood 
Wichita Collegiate School

Brains at Work Through Play

Young children flex their brain 'muscles' through play.  I hope you will take 5 minutes to watch this gem about the important brain development we work on each day at WCS.  This video explains the mental processes that enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instruction, juggle multiple tasks successfully, set and achieve goals, and control impulses.  Thanks to Harvard University for sharing this with us.

Executive Functions: Skills for Life and Learning

Enjoy!

Expectations and Emotions Effect Learning

On Monday we had the privilege to learn from Dr. Judy Willis for our professional development day at WCS.  Dr. Judy Willis is a board certified neurologist from Santa Barbara, California who has been fascinated with how the brain learns.  She was so highly interested in understanding the impact emotions and expectations have on learning that she embarked on her own research.  In the process, to inform her research she felt compelled to become a classroom teacher.  She wanted to see first hand how students respond to instruction in a school setting.  I quickly realized how lucky I was to get such valuable information on a typical in-service at my school. I thought I knew quite a bit about the brain and her presentation would be a review, but, oh was I wrong. There is so much more I have yet to learn. I was fascinated the entire six hours of Dr. Willis's presentation and I left with my brain full but wanting more.
 If you are a 'learning and brain research junkie' like I am I think you will enjoy hearing her speak. I have added a video clip from one of her presentations a few years ago. This clip is 25 minutes long, so grab a snack and take a break while you watch.  Dr. Judy Willis TEDxASB

 Dr. Willis has authored many books and the next one on my reading list will be How the Brain Learns Best.  Here is more information about Dr. Willis if you want to learn more:
https://www.edutopia.org/users/judy-willis-md

I am very thankful for the wonderful opportunities for professional development I have at Collegiate.
Gratefully,
Becky

Early Childhood Physical Education: Dad's Day 2016 is out of this world!

Kathy Wagner and the EC team did not let the rainy weather spoil our special day on Friday.  Thank you Kathy for providing extra activities when we had to move Dad's Day inside last Friday.  These photos show the joy on the faces of the children and their dads!

Early Childhood Physical Education: Dad's Day 2016 is out of this world!: Click here to view pictures in the above slide show. Even though "the force" seemed against us for our Early Childhood &quot...

Thank you for joining our school family

School is off to a great start and the teachers, staff and I want to commend you parents on a job well done. You have prepared your child for a successful transition to school. I imagine you are feeling as proud and relieved as we are.  Getting young children ready to make a major change to their daily routine can seem overwhelming, but you all did it beautifully!  For your efforts I give you my gratitude and appreciation. We will work diligently as a team throughout the year for your child's optimal school experience. One of the tenants of our philosophy is to develop a sense of belonging in each child.  This sense of belonging, like in a family, will develop empathy and motivation in each child.  These emotional and social skills will lay the foundation on which optimal learning occurs. There are a myriad of other benefits as well which we will discuss in more detail at our parent discussion groups.  Here is a link to a brief video of the Conscious Discipline basics by Dr. Becky Bailey.  Please take a minute to watch this video to learn more about our approach to classroom management and join us on Sept. 21st at 8:15am to learn more. Video: Conscious Discipline Basics
Gratefully,
Becky and the WCS early childhood team