Episode 3 Casey Craft-Cortez/Infant Toddler Specialist

Today I interviewed Casey Craft-Cortez  from the YWCA. Casey is  an infant Toddler Specialist and have over 10 years in the ECE field. 

• Getting back to the basics in the classroom.  Just getting down on the floor with the kids. 
• We are a reactive society and we discuss moving out of a reactive state to more of a proactive state.
• The important of nurturing, consistency, and responsiveness.
• Focusing on the good moments.  It is easy to get caught up in what a child does “wrong”, but that is just a little snapshot of who they are.  They need us to help them learn to self regulate
• Importance of reflections. 
• Difference between challenging behaviors and hot buttons. 
• We Can't train away challenging behaviors we have to improve our skill set .
• Her program is an amazing FREE resource for all centers and teachers.  I encourage everyone to visit the YWCA website link in the show notes.  I will not disappoint!   ****Ask kids what happened, not what is wrong

Resources:
 
·       YWCA Metropolitan Chicago: https://ywcachicago.org/
·       National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI): https://challengingbehavior.cbcs.usf.edu/about/index.html
·       Powerful Interactions: How to Connect with Children to Extend Their Learning: https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/books/powerful-interactions-2
·       Illinois Early Learning Guidelines & Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards:
o   https://illinoisearlylearning.org/ielg/
o   https://www.isbe.net/documents/early_learning_standards.pdf
o   https://illinoisearlylearning.org/ields/
·       Rita Pierson: Every Child Needs (Deserves) a Champion! TED Talk:
o   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFnMTHhKdkw
Judy Jablon powerful interactions.

Finding your why for coaching/teaching: Book