The course presented by Stacey Edwards from Education Forwards covered the impact of the pandemic on children's behavior and development, and the ongoing challenges faced by educators in the aftermath. It discussed research showing that children have been affected by trauma and how it influences their emotional regulation and brain organization. The course highlighted that issues such as neglect, abuse, isolation, and increased incidence of fear due to the pandemic have had lasting effects on children, particularly during their formative years. The course then transitioned to focus on strategies that educators can use in the classroom to help mitigate these effects. It emphasized the importance of safe, predictable environments, building relationships, and focusing on self-regulation. Specific techniques such as greeting aprons, social-emotional books, and self-regulation activities like breathing exercises were suggested as ways to create a supportive atmosphere. Stacey went on to show examples of these strategies in practice and proposed engaging activities to help children express and manage their emotions, such as using mirrors for facial expression recognition, read-alouds of social-emotional books, and "I Love You" rituals for building connections. The course also offered advice on handling situations when children are in crisis, recommending against punitive measures and instead focusing on supportive and responsive techniques, including the 'notice' technique to help understand a child's emotional state, as well as various breathing strategies for calming down. Lastly, Stacey concluded by urging educators to reflect on their key takeaways from the course and to commit to trying at least three new strategies in their classrooms within the next 30 days. She encouraged them to apply their knowledge practically for the betterment of their students' well-being and learning experiences. The course was comprehensive, providing both a theoretical framework and practical tools for addressing the social and emotional needs of children post-pandemic in educational settings.

This course is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of educators in fostering positive teacher-child interactions. Throughout the program, participants will engage with a variety of content, including practical classroom examples, theoretical concepts, and interactive activities aimed at promoting developmental support, relationship building, and effective communication strategies. Key Features: 1. Exploration of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory to understand the multifaceted influences on child development. 2. Techniques for crafting supportive and affirmative learning environments that contribute to children’s sense of trust and autonomy. 3. Strategies for scaffolding learning experiences to support each child's zone of proximal development. 4. The significance of lollipop moments in leadership and the impact of acknowledging and creating these moments. 5. Guided reflection on personal experiences, interaction styles, and the creation of purposeful and playful engagement with children. 6. Opportunities for introspection and application of course concepts through prompts and actionable tasks, encouraging immediate integration into classroom practice. Participants will walk away with new insights into their role as leaders and mentors, equipped with tools to make a profound difference in their students’ lives through daily interactions. This course is perfect for early childhood educators seeking to deepen connections with their students and to foster an environment where every child can thrive.