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What I Wish Someone Would Have Told Me About Becoming an Early Childhood Teacher

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Coming into this field I had zero experience. I gave the run of the mill response during my interview of “I love kids, and I was a babysitter in high school, and I took care of my younger siblings”. None of that, I repeat, none of that, prepares you for the demands of early childhood.

Here I am seven years later, and I know I still have so much to learn. With that being said, the first day on the job I fell in love. It was there. My passion. If it doesn’t click early on, it’s not going to. Early childhood requires crazy passion. You’re in for 5 days a week (52 weeks out of the year; no summer and winter breaks like primary school) that are DEMANDING all day long. You will do much more work than you are paid for all while using all your imaginary arms and brain cells constantly. When people hear that you are in the field, they say “awe, that’s so sweet”.
They have no clue!

toddlers hugging
Toddler hugs are the best

You may have just said early child hood was your career. But under that umbrella is pretty much every other job in the world. You’re teaching every subject, being a nurse, a parent, a plumber, handyman, waitress, hairdresser, counselor, librarian, and the list just goes on. Oh and no one can warn you enough about all the bodily fluids you’ll come into contact with!

This field is not for the faint of heart. Some days you will come home, and literally have nothing left to give anyone else. It is a mentally exhausting job. But again, if it’s your passion you find a way without thinking much about it most days. You must know how to refill your own cup every week to keep going. I think all adults could benefit from remembering to fill their own cups first.
You get this picture in your mind of spending days making play-doh or playing with glue like the teacher in Billy Madison. You think it’s about putting together cute bulletin boards, and smiling at children who are smiling back. Yes, you will do these things, BUT not every day, and not the way you imagined it at all.

Your hair will be a mess, sometimes you will be sweating, you will get those various bodily fluids on you, and someone really should have warned that you should keep extra clothes at work. It’s almost like you’re really the child and should have a cubbie with extra clothes and a comfort blanket…
No one ever prepared me for how many damn times I would be washing my hands every hour. Lotions and manicures will become your best friend. (By the way, if any parent is reading this feel free to send in lotion or a manicure gift certificate at any time! insert wink)

At some point every day you will have to be okay with acting like a complete lunatic at a moments notice. Making funny voices for all the characters, pretending you are the injured patient for the doctor in training during dramatic play time, and making up complete nonsense songs on the spot when you realize your brain has run out of ideas for the day.

The most important thing that no one ever told me was the feeling you get EACH AND EVERY time you make a positive connection with a child. And every time you see that sparkle in their eyes when they finally understand something. And my absolute favorite which are those days when you feel like giving up on everything, yourself included; here comes one of your kiddos with the biggest, best hug of your life. No words exchanged. They just knew what you needed in that moment. And it sets your world straight again.

For all of the things that are seen as negatives those positives make it all worth the while.
No one ever told me what is was like to be an Early Childhood Teacher, but I’ll spend as much time as I can changing lives and screaming what I do!

Ms. Brooke
Lead Pre-kindergarten Teacher
Literacy Coordinator

How Can Families Celebrate National Tater Tots Day?

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Every February 2nd, people celebrate National Tater Tots Day. People dedicate this day to remembering how good bite-sized potato nuggets taste. They savor this treat whose name  literally means baby potatoes.

How tater tots came to be?

Tater tots came to life through two brothers, Nephi and Golden Grigg. Aided by their brother-in-law, they began playing with the idea of frozen food. Theym leased a plant on the border of Oregon and Idaho back in 1934.By 1952, they bought the plant and began Oregon Frozen Foods Company. After a number of years, it transformed into Ore-Ida.

To create tater tots, they season potatoes with different spices and bake them into casseroles. This makes tater tots anall-around food. From a meal, side dish, or even a snack, people just keep eating them. They dip it, pop it, or just merely savor its taste.

Recipes to try for National Tater Tots Day

Read through this for different recipes that your family will enjoy  this National Tater Tots Day!

Cajun Tater Tot Waffle topped with Fresh Avocado Lump Crab Salad

Ingredients

Fresh Avocado Lump Crab Salad
  • 4 ounces Lump Crab Meat
  • 1 ounce Mayonnaise
  • 1 ounce Yellow Bell Pepper, diced
  • 1 ounce Avocado, diced
  • 1 tsp Lemon Juice, fresh squeezed
  • 1 tsp Fresh Garlic, chopped
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
  • Kosher Salt, to taste
  • Black Pepper, to taste
Pickled Charred Tomato Chive Relish
  • 2 ounces Charred Cherry Tomatoes, quartered
  • 1 ounce Red Onion, fine diced
  • 1 tsp Sugar
  • 1 tbsp Chives, chopped
  • 1 tsp Red Wine Vinegar
  • Kosher Salt, to taste
Cajun Tater Tot Waffle
  • 32 ounces Frozen Tater Tots, Thawed
  • Cajun Seasoning, to taste
  • Kosher Salt, to taste
  • 1 ounce Fresh Parsley, chopped

Method

  • Combine all ingredients for the crab salad together and fold together lightly; careful not to break up the crab or bruise the avocado. Set aside for future use.
  • Combine all ingredients for the charred tomato relish together. Set aside for future use.
  • Preheat waffle iron, per instructions.
  • Spray top and bottom of the waffle iron with non-stick spray.
  • Place thawed tater tots in a tight, even layer into the waffle iron; making sure each one is touching each other.
  • Sprinkle Cajun seasoning, salt and parsley on top of tater tots.
  • Close the waffle iron, and follow waffle iron cooking instructions.
  • Remove the finished waffle and place on a plate.

Chef’s Tip: Top the waffle with the Avocado Lump Crab Salad and garnish with the Charred Tomato Chive Relish!

Potato Tot Casserole

Ingredients for the braised beef

  • 5 pounds beef short ribs, trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • ½ tablespoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 yellow onion, peeled, quartered
  • 1 carrot, peeled, quartered
  • 1 stalk celery, quartered
  • 24 ounces stout (substitute other strong beer, beef stock or mushroom stock)
  • 6 cups beef stock
  • 1 sprig thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch, mixed with cold water to form a paste

For potato tots

  • 12 large Idaho russet potatoes
  • 5 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus 2 cups for frying
  • 4 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

For casserole

  • Braised beef (ingredients above) plus reserved braising liquid
  • 2 cups pearl onions, cooked
  • 2 cups cremini mushrooms, cooked, quartered
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons black truffle paste
  • Potato tots (see below)
  • 1 cup gruyère cheese, grated
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped

*Note: If you cannot find truffle paste, replace the gruyère for grated truffle cheese. Unfortunately, truffles are so unique that there isn’t a substitute, especially in a dish that already uses mushrooms.

Preparation for braised beef

  1. PREHEAT the oven to 325°F. Season the short ribs with salt and pepper. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the vegetable oil and sear the beef on both sides, working in batches. Then remove it from the pot.
  2. KEEP the pot over medium heat, add the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Add the onions, carrots and celery; brown slightly. Add the stout. Turn down the heat to low and reduce the liquid slightly. Place the beef back in the pot and add the beef stock, thyme and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer, cover and braise in the oven until tender, 30 to 40 minutes.
  3. REMOVE the meat from the braising liquid and reserve. Strain the liquid into a saucepan, bring to a boil and whisk in the cornstarch to thicken slightly.

Preparation for potato tots

  1. HEAT the oven to 350°F. Wash the potatoes well with water to remove all dirt. Lightly prick the potatoes with a fork and toss with 4 tablespoons vegetable oil and 2 tablespoons salt.
  2. SPREAD the potatoes out on a large baking sheet. Roast until tender, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Discard the skins.
  3. CUT the potatoes in half and press the flesh through a baking grate into a large mixing bowl. Season with 2 tablespoons salt and 1 tablespoon black pepper, then fold in 4 tablespoons olive oil.
  4. LINE a half sheet tray with parchment paper and lightly grease with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Firmly and evenly, press the potato mix into the tray. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to chill overnight.
  5. CUT the potato mixture into about 1-inch squares. Heat 2 cups of vegetable oil in a shallow fry pan to about 325°F. Carefully place the potato squares into the oil and fry until golden and crispy, flipping as needed and working in small batches so not to crowd the pan. Remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Preparation for the casserole

  1. PREHEAT the oven broiler to medium-high. Heat the braised beef in a large sauté pan with the thickened braising liquid, pearl onions and mushrooms. Once hot, add the heavy cream and fold in the truffle paste.
  2. DIVIDE the mixture between 6 metal dishes and top each with fried potato tots. Sprinkle gruyère cheese over the top. Broil until the cheese is melted. Garnish with chives and serve.

Now, what are you waiting for? Try out these recipes and feast with your families!

Top 3 Recipes to Make for National Chocolate Day

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Throughout the year, people celebrate a number of different holidays. Be Black Friday or Thanksgiving, people have assigned almost every single day to any holiday that they could think of. But what’s so special about chocolate to have a day for it?

Chocolate, just like wine, is fermented. This happens when farmers harvest cacao pods, clean them, free them from the white material, and dry them out. Cacao beans undergo the process of fermentation. Little by little, the papery shell gets removed and reveals the cacao nibs. Afterwards, chocolatiers grind them into a cocoa mass and separate it into solids and butter. Others then process the mass and mix in milk and sugar. Some transform it into white chocolate by just using chocolate butter, milk, and sugar. People celebrate National Chocolate Day every October 28! Remember to mark that on your calendars as it’s a very chocolatey day!

What recipes can you try for National Chocolate Day?

chocolate bars
There are so many great recipes that include chocolate

A lot of people wonder how to incorporate chocolate into almost anything that they eat. Now, we have these three (3) recipes that you may try in order to celebrate this very chocolatey day!

Chocolate Chip-Date French Toast

Ingredients

For the French toast:
  • 6 large egg yolks (save the whites for your ultra-healthy breakfast tomorrow!)
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
  • 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
  • Kosher salt
  • Unsalted butter, for frying
  • 1 small loaf challah bread, sliced 1 inch thick
  • Small handful of semisweet chocolate chips
  • 4 dates, pitted and chopped
For the syrup:
  • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon bourbon

Directions

  1. Make the French toast: Whisk the egg yolks, milk, vanilla, orange juice and zest, brown sugar, cinnamon, garam masala and a pinch of salt in a large glass baking dish.
  2. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Put a wire rack on a baking sheet and place in the oven.
  3. Set a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon butter. While the butter melts, prick a few holes on each side of a slice of bread with a fork. Lay it in the egg mixture and, using either a fork or your hands, push the bread into the egg mixture so the bread loosens up a little and soaks up the liquid. Flip and repeat.
  4. Using a slotted spatula or tongs, pick up the bread, allowing the excess egg mixture to drip off, and lay it in the hot pan. As the first side is cooking, 2 to 3 minutes, push chocolate chips and chopped dates into the soft, uncooked side of the bread. Be assertive! Then flip and cook 2 to 3 more minutes. Remove and set on the rack in the oven to stay warm. Repeat with the remaining slices of bread, adding more butter to the pan if needed.
  5. Meanwhile, make the syrup: Combine the maple syrup and bourbon. Warm it in the microwave, if you want. (You can make the syrup the night before; store in a jar in the fridge, then warm before serving.)

Chocolate Lasagna

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Begin by crushing 36 Oreo cookies. I used my food processor for this, but you could also place them in a large ziplock bag and crush them with a rolling pin. When the Oreos have turned into fine crumbs, you are done.
  2. Transfer the Oreo crumbs to a large bowl. Stir in 6 tablespoons melted butter and use a fork to incorporate the butter into the cookie crumbs. When the butter is distributed, transfer the mixture to a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan. Place the pan in the refrigerator while you work on the additional layers.
  3. Mix the cream cheese with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add in 2 Tablespoons of milk and sugar, then mix well. Stir in 1 and 1/4 cups Cool Whip. Spread this mixture over the crust.
  4. In a bowl, combine the chocolate instant pudding with 3 and 1/4 cups cold milk. Whisk for several minutes until the pudding starts to thicken. Use a spatula to spread the mixture over the previous cream cheese layer. Allow the dessert to rest for about 5 minutes so that the pudding can firm up further.
  5. Spread the remaining Cool Whip over the top. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips evenly over the top. Place in the freezer for 1 hour, or the refrigerator for 4 hours before serving.

No Bake Chocolate Oat Bars

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups quick cooking oats
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter

Directions

  • Prep: 30 m
  • Ready in: 3 h 30 m
  1. Grease a 9×9 inch square pan.
  2. Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and vanilla. Mix in the oats. Cook over low heat 2 to 3 minutes, or until ingredients are well blended. Press half of mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Reserve the other half for topping.
  3. Meanwhile, melt chocolate chips and peanut butter in a small heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth. Pour the chocolate mixture over the crust in the pan, and spread evenly with a knife or the back of a spoon.
  4. Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate layer, pressing in gently. Cover, and refrigerate 2 to 3 hours or overnight. Bring to room temperature before cutting into bars.

Hopefully, this makes your National Chocolate Day more sumptuous!

6 Steps to Teach Conflict Resolution to Kids

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There is no such thing as a perfect relationship. Whether it is your relationship with your family, spouse, or friends, things can get a little messy sometimes. This is why it is crucial that we know how to better resolve conflicts. The ability to resolve conflicts is something that children should learn even at a young age. It is part of essential social skills for healthy relationships.

How to teach conflict resolution to kids?

Here are the steps to teach conflict resolution to kids.

Allow them time to cool off

Effective conflict resolution sometimes requires that you give the children involved the chance to take a breather. This step should not be rushed. Avoid rushing the kids to engage in a problem-solving conversation before they are ready. Instead, give them ample time to calm down. Determine strategies that will work for them. Will a brief walk around the block help? Or perhaps counting from 10 to 100? Regardless of the method, the important thing is that kids should no longer be emotional when you attempt to solve the problem.

Take time to listen

Once the kids have cooled off, it is time to ask them about what happened. You can either do it together or separately. Emphasize the importance of honesty as they relay what happened. Encourage them to state the problem and honestly admit their role in the conflict. Also, encourage them to share how they feel. Assure them that you listening and are trying to understand the situation without prejudice.

Take responsibility

Now that the children have shared their emotions about the conflict, they need to learn how to take responsibility for their actions. Help them understand that each of them, whether it’s equal or not, played a role in the problem. This will help them realize that every action has a consequence; that everything we do affects not just us but also the people around us.

Brainstorm solutions

Given all the information from the kids involved and the responsibility each one took, it’s time to promote solution finding. The goal is to find a solution that will benefit everyone. While it’s tempting to lay down the solution that you think is best, it is better to gather suggestions from the children. At this point, they are already aware of the problem and how each of them contributed to the conflict. Give them the opportunity to think of ways to patch things up. Make sure their suggestions benefit both parties.

Apologize

An apology is more than just saying “sorry”.  When you encourage the children to apologize, make them understand that an apology communicates responsibility, regret and solution. Have them come up with their own apology. They can deliver it however they want. They can say it in person or write it in a letter. Make sure they use the words “I’m sorry” and state the reason why they are sorry and what they will do to fix the situation.

Follow up

Find out if the solution is working by doing a follow up. Take time to check on how the kids are getting along. However, you must also be aware that not all conflicts are resolved immediately. There are times when the kids involved need a prolonged break from one another and would prefer to hang out with other kids. In cases like this, it is best to give them time to heal and forgive. The important thing is that they are still able to speak to each other with kindness and respect.

Knowing how to resolve conflicts is an essential part of developing a child’s social skills. It also teaches them communication, empathy and problem solving skills. These are also some of the things that your child can learn from a curriculum that focuses on holistic development and character education, like the one offered in Young Scholars Academy. Please visit our website for more information.

Get Me & Kids Out Of The House! Winter In CO

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The holidays are over and with it went all the fun winter activities. But winter has just begun, what can we do now. There is an array of indoor activities such as Sky Zone, Glow Golf, and Little Monkey Business to help get your children out of the house but below is some information of winter specific activities that have a limited time availability.

For an outdoor adventure that is a drive away, visit The Ice Castles located in Dillon Colorado. This magical experience has helps you to forget that you are cold with the warmth and beauty in your heart. Ice Castles are open until February 2, 2019. Made from 20,000 pounds of ice, these castles are tall, have icicles, igloos, tunnels, and ice slides. Their mission is, “to create happiness, laughter, and unforgettable winter memories.” As this is an outdoor activity, dress for the weather (boots, snow suits, hats, gloves). Instead of bringing a stroller for young children it is suggested to bring a sled. It is best to buy your tickets in advanced. They are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Their hours of operation are Monday and Thursday 4pm-9pm, Friday 4pm-10:30pm, Saturday 12pm-10:30pm, and Sunday 12pm-8pm. Prices vary depending on day and age. Weekdays children 4-11 cost $10.95 and 12 and older cost $15.95. Weekends children 4-11 cost $14.95 and 12 and older cost $18.95. Tickets can be purchased from their website; https://icecastles.com/dillon/

Skate in the Park at Acacia Park (115 E. Platte Ave) invites families to enjoy outdoor ice skating. It is $10 a guest 5 and older. Children 4 and under are free with a paid adult. A $1 discount is offered to those who carry a military ID. Ice Skate rental is included with the price. Skate in the Park will be open until January 21, 2019. For group rates and private event reservations please visit www.DowntownCS.com/skate. The hours vary please see schedule and special events below.

Sertich Ice Center has a couple of hours a day open for public skating. Children 17 and under Skate for $5.25 with a $3.25 skate rental fee and adults skate for $6.25 with a $3.25 skate rental fee. For a complete calendar of dates and times available please visit https://coloradosprings.gov/…/fil…/inline-images/psjan19.pdf. There is an offer available from Groupon which allows two skaters to skate for $9 including skate rental. The Groupon offer is available at: https://www.groupon.com/browse/colorado-springs….

Sledding is an awesome outdoor activity to try. There are different types sleds available at Target, Walmart, Bass Pro Shop, Walgreens, and other retail stores. Many stores have already started to put their winter gear on sale so supplies may be limited. If your neighborhood has a hill then you won’t need to travel far from home but there are a couple of parks in town that are popular for Eugene McCleary Park at 5214 Pioneer Mesa Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80923 and Cotton Wood Creek Park at 7040 Rangewood Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80923.

Winter is such a fun time to get outdoors and play. As always, please dress for the weather and do not stay out for long periods of time in low temperatures to keep yourself and your children safe and healthy. At the end of a cold play day, warm up with a hot drink such as hot chocolate, apple cider, coffee, or tea. Enjoy your winter!

-Ms. Blair
Lead Preschool Teacher
Workplace Wellness Coordinator