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"One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of a child." —Carl Jung

INVITE KINDERGARTEN STAFF INTO YOUR PROGRAMS

Margie Carter, in the article, "Planning Staff Meetings" in Child Care Information Exchange (March 2002), encourages early childhood programs to invite neighborhood kingergarten teachers and principals into their staff meetings...

"In today's climate of outcome-based education and high-stakes testing, it is easy for schools and child care programs to point a finger at each other. Why not, instead, try to build a relationship and some mutual understandings between your staff and that of the schools your children typically move on to? Invite the kindergarten teachers and principals to come hear stories of how your children are learning through play. Share documentation of in-depth projects, transcriptions of children's conversations, and other evidence of their learning process. Ask to hear the teachers' and principals' frustrations and concerns and ideas for building stronger connections between your programs. Consider including parents and some graduates to contribute to this meeting as well."