Ignite Learning Together

One of my favorite events is our annual Advanced Institute! It is more of a retreat-like setting where we have the opportunity to go deeper in the application an understanding of our practice. It is experiential learning at its finest! In addition to the amazing experiences, it’s who you get to share it with that really makes an impact! Other like-minded people who seek to bring change into the world by starting with themselves—being open to new perceptions, being vulnerable, feeling our feelings and confronting unconscious patterns that may be getting in the way of living life to the fullest. So grateful for our leaders, Amy Speidel and who willingly shared their own stories and helped make a pathway for all of us by going first! They shared their passion, love, brilliance, and shined a light on a path forward. 🕯️❤️🥰

I have a ritual at the end of the year where I reflect on what has happened in the past year. What did I learn? What do I want more of and what do I want less in 2026? In my journal I call it highs and lows and it helps me remember and take responsibility for all parts of it—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Usually, once I have enough distance from an experience, I am able to find gratitude even for the really hard parts of my story in some way. Sometimes it’s tempting to just keep busy and keep focused on the future. However, I’ve learned that taking time to pause and appreciate what you’ve come through builds strength, resilience and grit. What about you? Do you have any year end rituals?

I had an amazing time at the NAEYC Conference in Orlando, where over 6,000 early educators came together to emphasize the importance of support in our field. With so many sessions and experiences to choose from, I refreshed my knowledge of foundational principles and explored cutting-edge approaches like AI and leadership. I was blown away by the sessions I attended, including QI Skills with Dr. Laura Jana and and art and yoga for calm classrooms with . 's influence was clear, with 's quotes and CD practices being shared as best practices in many sessions. Our CD team supported four sessions and made valuable connections promoting positive school cultures. and I even presented on our mentoring program at in Indianapolis, highlighting the impact of shared leadership on school culture. it was wonderful catching up with old friends and meeting new ones who share my passion for early childhood education. Heading into this Thanksgiving week with a heart (and head) full of gratitude, joy, and inspiration. ❤️

Heading out for NAEYC today! Emily Nauth, from is presenting with me and we will be sharing about the mentoring program we developed at their childcare. Our session is on Friday, but there will be a total of 4 sessions this year! Who will we see there?

Sometimes being a kindergartener is hard, especially when you were born or in utero in 2020. These five year olds have had a very different start to life than other children. They were born in a time filled with uncertainty.
Maternal care looked different as there were so many questions about the spread of COVID and vaccinations, limited visitors at the hospital and in the home during early infancy.
A time in a family’s life that is normally filled with joy, family, and celebration was rattled with fear, isolation, and sadness.
Those “COVID babies” are now kindergartners and they (and their parents and teachers) need a little extra help and lots of love as they enter the world of elementary school. It can seem big and scary.
Even though they are surrounded by many teachers and admin who care for them deeply, their safe person and safe place is home.
One way teachers and parents can build the bridge between home and school is through rituals and structures that build predictability and safety.
One of our favorite structures is the Friends and Family board. Ensuring that every child has a photo of their family at school and that it is accessible throughout the day when they are missing their family can bring comfort and ease the sadness.
Another helpful structure is including rituals throughout the day. help strengthen bonds with children and their teachers and between children. The more rapidly we can help children build connections the more confidence they will have in this new space. Finding a secure relationship with a safe adult at school can make all the difference for children struggling with separation.
Some individual children need something a little extra to help them make the transition from home to school. The child in this photo has really struggled to adapt to school. We worked with mom on some ideas to help. Creating a “kiss cup” that he could bring to school full of kisses from home turned tears into smiles and hopefully a step in the right direction toward calm, connection and learning at school! 🌟

Wildflowers, crispy blue skies, crunchy hikes and cozy nights.

Embracing each season.

What awakens your soul?

The Power of Unity is truly making waves in Delaware! Fast forward from 2016 when we first met, and here we are, collaborating on something amazing! has expanded from one community to statewide implementation! The DOE early childhood department is sponsoring training for ECE providers, empowering them to elevate their programs and services. Seeing educators unite from all corners of Delaware has been incredible, and this is only the beginning! These providers are passionate about delivering exceptional care, and I’m thrilled to be part of this journey!

Seeing posts has me reflecting on the bittersweet feelings of sending my baby off to her last year of college. It’s a mix of emotions – knowing visits will be fewer, the house will be quieter, and our relationship has evolved. I’ve learned to give her space, but old habits die hard. A friend once said, “It’s not empty nesting, it’s bird launching.” That resonates. We’re launching our baby bird into the world, and it feels different this time. Sending lots of love and well wishes to all the families out there launching those little birds, doing their thing, strengthening their wings so they can fly! 🦅

I never realized just how closely consequences were related to choices. Over the last few years I have become keenly aware this powerful connection AND the importance of regulating the feelings that bubble up as a result.

When I was growing up and even into adulthood as a teacher and parent I thought that consequences were something someone else imposed on you. It was a result of your failure or what seemed like a willful choice to misbehave. There really wasn’t a lot of empathy involved and it seemed that feelings were a part of the punishment. Boy, have my eyes been opened. I recognize now that consequences have a lot of power if we are able to reflect and be willing to choose a different path. That our feelings are friends and they can help us and guide our direction. With empathy and positive intent, consequences offer us an opportunity to learn something new, lean in to conflict and uncomfortable feelings and regulate so we can move forward toward change.

Last week I spent an amazing two days training early childhood professionals in Bowling Green, VA and helping them navigate new skills and tools as they grow to understand how to use discipline to teach. They were so willing and eager to apply these skills personally and strengthen their ability to help the children in their care flourish!

Several years ago created this really helpful tool for young children to move through upset and choose how to regulate their feelings so problems could be solved. In fact, it’s called the “| Choose Self-Control Board”. I found it very helpful with the preschoolers I was teaching, but it wasn’t until several years later that I personally began to grasp the depth of this transformative process.

I’m curious…what is something you choose to do when you feel sad that helps you find comfort and move through it rather than avoiding it or trying to happy up? For me, I find it very comforting to reach out to a family member or good friend and connect with them in some way. What about you? Comment below and share what helps you?

Hey there! It’s been a while since I’ve checked in over here and I noticed there are a few new friends hanging out so I thought I’d take a minute to say “Hi!” I’m Jenny Spencer, Conscious Discipline Certified Instructor from Indiana. This is just one way I get to spend my days! I travel all over the map helping educators and parents gain new insight and practices around behavior (not just kids, but their own too!). Our main focus here is practicing new skills and learning how to self regulate so we can teach those skills to children. In addition to , I am also very passionate about helping early care providers better understand the development of young children, their need for play, and how to align teaching practices with what is best for children. So you’ll see a variety of things here and I plan to be more intentional about posting so we can learn and grow together! Drop me an emoji in the comments and say “Hi!” It’s been a while and I’m so glad you’re here! 🥰

I’m in Odessa, TX today sharing about the importance of visuals in the healthy development of young children and found this super helpful visual for adults too! Visuals aren’t just for kids and this is an important one. In an effort to help children be respectful in the hallway, many teachers say,”catch a bubble.” That does, in fact, stop the talking most of the time. However, we take things a step further by telling them what we WANT them to do. “Use a whisper voice” is one option. Another helpful phrase is, “Breathe with me and walk quietly down the hall.” Such a brilliant visual reminder here! ❤️⭐️🤫

So excited to spend the next few days with this gem and 7000 of our early childhood friends! ❤️