Broken Crayons Still Color & No Use Crying Over Spilt Milk (Seriously)

A Day in the Life of Preschool and Early Childhood Development

I began this journey almost five years ago this January… to think my babies that I started with are now “big kids”…

Laughter. Tears. Hugs and boos boos, high five and time outs. Wiping little noses and little hineys, changing diapers and changing lives. There is a well known saying that goes like this “It takes a big heart to shape little minds.” This is the absolute truth. Childcare and early childhood education is not for everyone, teaching is not for everyone.  That has shown more true this year, when teachers everywhere showed up and showed out when it came to virtual teaching in a global pandemic. Teachers are SUPERHEROES. Whether you teach K-12, or preschool…you are still a teacher through and through. They may have went virtual and shut down, but our doors stayed open and never closed- who do you think helps care for the babies of essential workers like doctors, nurses, police and fire and emts, pharmacists, lawyers, restaurant workers, grocery store clerks, truck drivers, etc. (thank you first responders) for all your hard work- we got your most precious ones taken care of!

I began this journey FIVE years ago today. I worked in the restaurant world with a dash of marketing (Chick-fil-a) while I was in high school and college, retail and ministry (Family Christian) after graduating college and then in January 2016 I entered into the whimsical wonderland of crayons and fingerprints, ABCs and 123s: early childhood education, childcare. I have learned so many things over the years. I had no education experience officially but years of babysitting and children’s ministry experience and a degree in Youth Ministry- a related field. I started as what we call a “non stand-alone”, a rookie to say the least-someone who is brand new, inexperienced and has to train with another  more experienced teacher for at least six months until they can be by themselves. After that I was the toddler teacher, then a year later I became Assistant Director. I have worked at two different childcare centers: one secular psychology based and one Christian based non denominational.

In early childcare (now I don’t say these things to toot my own horn or pin a rose on my nose) but for everyday people to understand the hard work and dedication that go into the career field: Contrary to popular belief we are not “glorified babysitters”, we are educators, teachers and administrators. Yes, we are not your typical K-12, teaching reading, writing, math, science, history, art, etc. But we are nurturing, caring for basic needs of food, bottles, changing diapers, wiping noses, washing hands. We are still teaching even though it may look different: reading books, memory verses, bible stories to act out, letter recognition, sights and sounds, phonics, self help skill, fine motor and gross  motor development, sensory science and art activities, memorizing things through music and song, learning to share, talk and use your words rather than hitting, biting or tantrums. Learning to crawl, walk, talk and be kind to others. Writing accident reports for every bump, fall, bruise, cut, scrape or bite. Ice packs, band-aids, tears, stitches,  and hugs and everything in between-been there done that. Potty training and all the messes that come with it. Learning ABC’s, 123s, and Jesus loves me. Basic building blocks of life and fundamental things that adults even have to be reminded of. Children are children, don’t expect them to react and act as adults. The most fundamentally developmental early years are spent with us and their parents, grandparents, etc. We are not to replace or tell you how to parent your child or the choices you make in raising your children, but we are here to come along side you to help you and guide you- to celebrate the milestones and be there on the hard days of parenting.

The amount of training and education courses we undergo is quite extensive. Some have a four year degree (Bachelor’s), some have a two year degree (Associate’s), some are working on credentials, some are brand new 18 year old rookies with a big heart and while some are working WHILE in college, some have been doing this 20+ years, 10 or 5 years (longer than some of you have been parents!), alot of our teachers are parents too! First aid, CPR and AED training, Bloodborne Pathogens, Health and Nutrition, Gross Motor and Fine Motor Development, Curriculum, Social and Emotional Development…just to name a FEW of the extensive trainings we undergo. Each year continuing to pursue more to make sure every child is happy, healthy, safe, loved and cared for all while they are learning. Most of us wear many hats: my director and I run both ends  of the day open to close quite often. Administrative paperwork, balancing schedules, supervising teachers, lunch breaks, balancing numbers for ratio purposes, policies, DSS and DHEC standards, making sure parents and teachers follow proper protocol, administering medication, cooking, cleaning, lesson plans, time cards, training, stepping up and staying calm in emergencies, projects, tours, answering phones and emails, communication, knowing the needs of every family and getting to know and love every parent, child and teacher. I am also our chapel director, responsible for our Bible story curriculum and fun activities for summer and holidays. It’s all in a days and weeks worth of work. To every parent that has trusted us with your sweet babies throughout the years, thank you. You are family. To those that make the choice to not put your children in childcare and stay home with them-that is perfectly okay too. Just know you got a village with you either way. Just because I’m not yet a mother, doesn’t mean I don’t understand. Little ones have big emotions like grown ups but don’t know how to articulate and process them. They need guidance. Little hearts and little minds needs lots of patience and grace (yes somedays just like most mamas can agree they drive me nuts too). Grown ups need grace too. Spilt milk and potty accidents are not the end of the world, most crayon marks come off walls with a magic eraser (and don’t be afraid to make them clean up their messes if they are big enough how else will they learn), tantrums won’t last forever, glitter is impossible to get rid of, and broken crayons still color. The laughter, tears, silly jokes, holding hands and snuggly big hugs are all worth it.

In grace, Heather H. Carnley (teacher, minister, educator, administrator, and chaos coordinator of littles and bigs)

Have a little FAITH: 2021

A year of change and chaos. Faith or fear-you choose. 2020 has been quite a year. A pandemic, civil and political unrest, an election. COVID-19. Racial issues and differences. Crazy weather, of tornadoes and hurricanes. Unprecedented changes, working from home, virtual learning, business and government shut downs, no big events or crowds, wearing masks wherever you go, sanitizing everything and being deemed an “essential “. This year has been anything but normal for many people. Lives have been lost from this virus. And yet many have also recovered. Some of you may have had great year, and some of you may have had an awful year. Yet at the end of the day, we all will move forward. I’ve said several times if 2020 had a slogan or catchphrase it would be “I’m over it”. I’m going  to “retweet” myself from my blog I wrote on New Year’s 2016: You may have had an amazing year full of cheerful and blessed moments, accomplishments, and milestones. You may have had a really tough and tumultuous year full of heartache, pain, setbacks, and maybe even tragedy. Most people have a year full of both triumph and tragedy, joy and pain…just like life. You sometimes have to taste the bitter with the sweet. Whether we like it or not, time marches on. For some time may have flown by too fast. For others it may seem as if time is crawling by so slowly. Time goes on, it doesn’t stop for anyone or anything; and as much as we would like to pause it, slow it down, rewind, or fast forward all we can do is let it play until it stops.” This is true everyday, every year. We can’t “turn back time” or can we skip ahead to the new chapter or year that awaits. You push through, you keep going just like we have done all year in 2020. Everyone keeps saying “goodbye and good riddance 2020” but I challenge you to find the good things that you had this year, it can’t all be bad. The little moments and memories made, the small victories over challenges. Cling to what is good and cling to what is God’s and that’s the Word- His truth. Look for opportunities to grow, chances to change, circumstances to show grace and extend love in a world that really needs it. Let go of the negative nastiness-that bitter pill. I’m gonna recap and review something I posted months ago in the spring of 2020 during quarantine because it’s a great reminder:

“The Bible warns of such plagues and pestilence, its not a new thing (they had infectious diseases in Biblical times too). Signs and wonders are being shown to us. Prophecy still speaks now as it did thousands of years ago. Here’s how to brave it all.
1) PRAY
2) Do NOT fear or panic, you lose all logical reasoning when you panic.
3) Wash your hands, stay healthy and safe follow “social distancing” and “self isolation” the best you can, but don’t let isolation make you feel alone in the midst. Reach out to friends, family, neighbors. If you struggle with loneliness or depression, find a buddy you can talk with regularly. We are in this together.
4) Use this time to find a new hobby, work on projects, catch up things, read your Bible, start a book that’s been on your must read list, create some crafts, have a family game night with your kids, try a new recipe, work out you’ll feel great, self-care, random acts of kindness towards others, take a nap and rest, it will restore your soul. (Remember 4:8, whatever things are good, think on them)
5) Recite Psalm 91 over you and your family/household. A prayer of protection: “My Refuge and My Fortress”
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord , “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
(Psalms 91:1‭-‬16 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.91.1-16.ESV)

We all hear “Happy New Year” the next word that comes to mind, is “resolutions”. Quite honestly, I’m sick and tired of New Year’s resolutions. (If you’ve been keeping up with my blogs the past 5-6 years, my first blog of 2016 was about resolutions and goals: “GO!”: A New Look at a New Year posted January 2016). I prefer to set goals and find new adventures, especially trying new things. Trying new things can be intimidating and scary but that’s what makes it fun and makes life beautiful too. So, I’ve heard many people now choosing a “word for the year” each year instead of “resolutions”. My friends and I have been doing this for a quite a few years now. Last year in 2020, the word for me (alot of others as well) was VISION, let’s hash that out for a minute. 20/20 vision is said to be perfect vision, seeing clearer than ever before is what we all said we wanted for the new year well 2020 had a way of removing all the luxuries and things we take for granted, the everyday routines and tasks, places we go, people we gather with, all these things were shaken and stirred in 2020. We ask God for vision, He took off the blinders showed a bigger plan, removed all distractions, created a space and time of “containment” and “social distancing” to cultivate and change how we see the world around us and how we interact and treat others. Never take for granted your job, your school and education, your grocery store clerks and stockers, your waiter or waitress and cashier at restaurants, your delivery drivers, your teachers, your first responders, your healthcare workers, your time with family and friends. Never take these for granted ever again, that’s what 2020 has taught us. You may have lost alot this year, you will regain strength and overcome. My word for the year is overcome, not that I really personally had a tough year but loved ones around me did as an empath it’s tough. But the thing is overcoming any obstacle that the year has. No matter what may come, I will overcome because I know I have in the past. And another word I’ve chosen is simply “better”: meaning I will do better, I want to be better at all areas on my life, and better together when connection is so important.

I leave you with this, find something ONE thing, or five or ten that you want to grow in. Set a goal and give grace, to yourself and others. Seek God in every little thing and every big thing, in ALL things. Move forward, better together. “And even if it not good, God is still good”.

In hope and faith, covered in grace

Heather H. Carnley