a child carefully counting beads, building early arithmetic skills

Meet the Teachers: Samantha

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Samantha Scott is the Infant Curriculum Coordinator at our West Cobb campus. A passionate educator who loves children, Samantha has been with Parker-Chase for five years. It’s a job she loves and says she is meant for.

“I’ve always loved kids and knew that I wanted to work with them, especially younger children,” Samantha says. “Working with infants has always felt like something I was led to do.”

During her time with Parker-Chase, Samantha has become a leader in her role as the Infant Curriculum Coordinator, and she inspires other teachers with her dedication to early childhood education and commitment to seeing every child prosper.  Samantha is an example of how Parker-Chase provides newer teachers with experienced mentors who share their passion and knowledge for teaching so that all our teachers can become caring nurturers and great educators.

“It’s nice now to be able to help lead and teach my teachers to then be better leaders for their students,” Samantha says. “And I get to hug and love on babies all day, so that’s a plus!”

Watch the video below to meet Samantha!

 

students learning about the decimal system using Montessori bead chains

Parents Experience ‘Night in Their Child’s Shoes’ and Learn About Conscious Discipline

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Earlier this month, Parker-Chase Sprayberry invited families in for a special “Night in Your Child’s Shoes” event. Families were able to experience the school the way their children do as they explored their classrooms with a quick sample schedule of the day. This was a great opportunity for families to learn more about our curriculum and enrichment programs.

We also had a special information session on Conscious Discipline, in which families got to practice “I love you rituals” and learned ways to work out conflicts!

What is Conscious Discipline?

Conscious Discipline is an important part of the Parker-Chase Preschools curriculum. Developed by Dr. Becky Bailey during the 1990s, conscious Discipline is a comprehensive social and emotional learning framework that prioritizes building safe and connected relationships as the foundation for optimal development. Rooted in neuroscience and child development research, this approach views challenges not as disobediences to be punished but as opportunities to teach self-regulation and critical life skills.

In early childhood education, Conscious Discipline plays a pivotal role for several reasons:

  1. Brain Development: Young children are in the crucial stages of brain development. By understanding the three primary brain states (survival, emotional, executive), educators can tailor their responses to better support children transitioning from reactive to more regulated, problem-solving states.
  2. Safety and Connection: Children learn best when they feel safe and connected. Through routines, rituals, and specific interventions, Conscious Discipline helps educators create classrooms where children feel a sense of belonging, enhancing their readiness to learn.
  3. Skill Building: Instead of relying on external rewards or punitive measures, this approach equips children with essential life skills such as empathy, responsibility, and self-control. By focusing on internal motivation, it sets the stage for lifelong positive behavior and decision-making.

Conscious Discipline is a useful tool that helps transform early childhood classrooms into nurturing communities where educators impart academic knowledge and mold emotionally resilient, connected, and self-aware individuals.

 

 

‘I Love You Rituals’

“I Love You Rituals” are a series of intentional activities, rhymes, and games designed to foster connection, improve attention span, and enhance self-esteem in children. Rooted in the principles of Conscious Discipline, these rituals are built on the understanding that a strong bond and emotional connection between caregivers and children are foundational for optimal brain development. By employing gentle touch, eye contact, and playful situations, the rituals create moments of shared joy and intimacy, reinforcing the message that children are loved and valued.

Whether it’s through song, touch, or playful engagement, these rituals help to wire the brain for cooperation and impulse control by creating positive neural pathways. Furthermore, by emphasizing safety and connection, they help children develop a sense of belonging and significance, leading to better socio-emotional outcomes and enhancing overall development.

In essence, “I Love You Rituals” provide a toolset for caregivers to nurture and deepen their relationships with children, ensuring that the bond is based on unconditional love and trust.

Conflict Resolution Tips

One of the central tenets of Conscious Discipline is the recognition that individuals, both children and adults, may not have developed the necessary skills to handle conflicts constructively. Instead of punitive measures or authoritarian responses, Conscious Discipline teaches individuals to become more self-aware of their emotions and reactions in the heat of a conflict. By encouraging mindfulness and self-regulation, individuals can pause, reflect, and respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. This helps in de-escalating conflicts and promotes empathy and understanding among all parties involved.

Here are five Conscious Discipline techniques to help resolve conflicts:

  1. Emotional Regulation: One of the core principles of Conscious Discipline is teaching individuals, particularly children, how to regulate their emotions. By understanding and managing their feelings, individuals are better equipped to approach conflicts with a calm and composed mindset, reducing the likelihood of escalating tensions.
  2. Time-In: Instead of traditional time-outs or punitive measures, Conscious Discipline encourages a “Time-In” approach. This involves providing a safe and nurturing space for individuals to process their emotions and thoughts, helping them gain self-awareness and self-control before addressing the conflict.
  3. I Messages: Conscious Discipline teaches the use of “I messages” to express feelings and needs. This approach encourages individuals to take responsibility for their emotions by saying things like “I feel upset when…” or “I need help with…,” fostering open and non-confrontational communication.
  4. Conflict Resolution Time: Designated periods for conflict resolution are established, allowing individuals involved in the conflict to come together and discuss their feelings and perspectives. This structured approach promotes active listening, empathy, and collaborative problem-solving.
  5. Problem-Solving Steps: Conscious Discipline outlines a series of problem-solving steps that individuals can follow to resolve conflicts effectively. These steps typically involve identifying the problem, brainstorming solutions, evaluating options, and selecting a mutually agreeable resolution.

 

 

Our staff is always available for parents who want to learn about our curriculum, including the various pedagogical techniques we utilize every day, to make children’s education a joyous and beneficial experience. If you would like to learn more, click here for contact information.

students learning to prepare snacks, enhancing practical life skills

5 Children’s Books Set in Georgia That Parents Will Enjoy, Too

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With a deep history, diverse population, and varied topography, Georgia has been the setting of many books, including some of the best-known classics in American literature. With such a rich literary status, it’s no surprise that many children’s books take place in the Peach State.

With September being National Literacy Month, we took the opportunity to compile a list of children’s books that take place in Georgia, one of Parker-Chase Preschools’ two home states (We’ll make a list for Texas, soon!). We found books ranging from delightful fiction to captivating biographies and everything in between. Check out the list below and find a book you and your child would like to read together for National Literacy Month! Each book is appropriate for children of all ages, including toddlers, preschoolers, pre-kindergarteners, and school-age children.

 

Georgia Music

by Helen V. Griffith

This book tells a bittersweet tale about a young girl’s bond with her grandfather. During the summer, her mother takes her to visit her grandfather in Georgia for the first time. While there, they grow close while working in his garden and, as the title suggests, play music together. The story then turns bittersweet when the grandfather becomes ill and must leave his home to live with his daughter and granddaughter in Baltimore. But the grandfather misses his Georgia home. Wanting to cheer him up, the girl recreates the feeling of his home through music. Published in 1986, The New York Times published a glowing review of Georgia Music at the time, describing it as “a book to treasure.”

 

And the Tide Comes In… : Exploring a Georgia Salt Marsh

By Merryl Alber

Written by Dr. Merryl Alber, a marine science professor at the University of Georgia, And Tide Comes In tells the story of two girls who explore the wonders of a Georgia salt marsh. Rich in information and illustration, the book fosters an appreciation for salt marshes and underscores their significance in the broader environmental context. This book is an excellent way for children to learn about Georgia’s unique natural habitats.

 

Draw What You See: The Life and Art of Benny Andrews

By Kathleen Benson

Benny Andrews was born and raised in rural Georgia to a sharecropper family. Despite his humble upbringing, he grew up to become one of the country’s most important visual artists whose work is considered to be a significant part of the Civil Rights era. In Draw What You See, children learn about Andrews’ life and how he overcame obstacles to pursue his artistic dreams and eventually realize his goals. Readers will also see some of Andrews’ work in the book, which Andrews himself illustrated.

 

The Life and Times of the Peanut

By Charles Micucci

Among Georgia’s most famous exports, the peanut is right up there with Outkast. And The Life and Times of the Peanut by Charles Micucci provides an in-depth look into the history, cultivation, and uses of Georgia’s legendary legume. With its fascinating mix of scientific facts, history, and trivia about peanuts, parents will love reading this book with their children.

 

Deep in the Swamp

By Donna M. Bateman

Set in the Okefenokee Swamp, this rhyming and counting book teaches children about the wide range of animals living in the storied wetlands. Bateman’s rhyming prose was set to zydeco-style music by musician Amy Miles, which helps for a fun read-and-sing-along activity.

 

We hope you enjoy these books. Happy National Literacy Month!

a child exploring size relationships using Montessori pink tower blocks

Meet the Teachers: Yessenia (North Peachtree City)

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At Parker-Chase, some of our teachers discover their passion by accident. For Yessenia Rodriguez, a 3-year-old classroom teacher at Parker-Chase in North Peachtree City, Georgia, that discovery came with the help of family.

There are many teachers in Yessenia’s family, and she grew up around educators. That’s why, while deciding which career she wanted to pursue, she wasn’t sure she wanted to go down the familiar path.

“I thought I did not want to follow in my family’s footsteps,” Yessenia said with a laugh, adding: “But I thought I’d try it out, and if I don’t like it, I’ll pursue something else.”

Luckily for us, she liked it and is now in her fifth year of teaching.

“I just love working with kids,” Yessenia said. “It’s so much fun. I get to do stuff I didn’t get to do as a kid. And I just think of things that I would want to do. I love teaching, and I Iove making it fun!”

At Parker-Chase Preschool, we strive to make each day special for our children, and we can do this with teachers like Yessenia. Her passion and dedication shine through in everything she does, and we are glad she is part of our team.

Watch the video below to hear from Yesenia herself!