Better Kid Care

09/15/2026

It’s almost that time when fall leaves, seed pods, pinecones, and spent flowers are everywhere—ready for collecting, sorting, and discovery. 🍂

Looking for a fun way to display children’s nature finds? Wrap some string around a tree trunk, add a few clothespins, and invite children to clip up the interesting things they discover.

This simple idea from Learning and Exploring Through Play encourages children to slow down, look closely, compare what they find, and share their discoveries with others.

✨🍃Add some string around a tree with some pegs for children to clip in interesting finds. 🪶 🌿

Give it a go!
Love Amy x x

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09/12/2026

In the 37th episode of the Play Nature podcast, and Rachel A. Larimore challenge educators to think more deeply about changing the phrase “there’s no bad weather, there’s only bad clothing” to “For outdoor play there’s harder weather and easier weather.” Why not start with easy weather days?

Together they talk about rain as a loose part, boredom as a hidden gift, and a four-year-old who named a leaf after his own haircut.

Check it out and get some fresh inspiration for your fall programming: [Link] https://rustykeeler.com/podcast/ep-37-nature-based-learning-doesnt-need-a-forest-with-dr-rachel-larimore/

What does your forecast suggest for this coming week? Post in comments some of the fun you’re having outdoors or share a favorite strategy to make getting outside easier.

09/10/2026

If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced. – Vincent van Gogh”

Van Gogh was onto something! What message is on rewind in your head telling you you “can’t” do something? What is the source of that denial? Maybe you CAN. Maybe you can say “YES” to children who are also squashed by too many “can’ts” being told to them.

Children can’t take materials from one center and use them in another…or can they?
Children can’t nap outdoors…or can they?
Animals can’t be in classrooms…or can they?
Children can’t use knives or saws or glue guns…or can they?
Children can’t play without shoes on…or can they?
Children can’t understand the difference between fair and unfair…or can they?
You can’t invite babies to explore paint…or can you?
You can’t invite children to explore heights…or can you?
You can’t talk with kids about death or discrimination…or can you?
You can’t remain a child’s primary caregiver from enrollment to graduation…or can you?”
You can’t let kids take over circle time or hijack your lesson plan…or can you?
You can’t challenge a policy that no longer works…or can you?
You can’t advocate for better working conditions…or can you?

Use this “Overcoming Obstacles” note handout [Link]https://bkc-od-media.vmhost.psu.edu/documents/CCC_IT-OvercomingObstacles.pdf
to help you organize your thoughts as you work to convert a Can’t into a CAN, a No into a YES.

09/08/2026

What affirmations might your children need to hear from you today?

We wanted to share this photo that was taken one time when visiting the Children's Village. The photo captured this wonderful display of affirmations written on paper flowers. 🌸

09/05/2026

Charnai Gordon (Here Wee Read ) shares a terrific list of diverse multicultural children’s books for back-to-school time that focus on:

-Making new friends
-Separation anxiety
-Dealing with new situations, routines, and schedules
-Helping children (and some parents) with feelings of anticipation, excitement, and nervousness

[Link] https://hereweeread.com/2019/08/25-diverse-multicultural-childrens-books-for-back-to-school.html

09/03/2026

Otter, bluebell, dandelion, kingfisher, and acorn, are few of the nature words said to be disappearing from children’s vocabulary. The Lost Words book by Robert Macfarlane and artist Jackie Morris, and “An Explorer's Guide to The Lost Words” from the John Muir Wood Trust organization, were both inspired when common nature words, like wren, fern, dandelion, and otter, were dropped from a widely used children’s dictionary. Access the free “An Explorer's Guide to The Lost Words” by Eva John to find, inspire, and share nature words with children.

With acrostic 'spells' by Robert Macfarlane and beautiful watercolour artwork by Jackie Morris, The Lost Words conjures back to glorious life some natural words fading from usage

09/01/2026

"Thinking Routines” help children become close observers and curious
thinkers. “SEE, THINK, WONDER”, developed Zero, is an example of a thinking routine to encourage children to look closely at something and wonder deeply about their ideas.

Connect to more resources:

See, Think, Wonder [Link]https://pz.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/2026-05/See%2C%20Think%2C%20Wonder_0.pdf

Free library of Thinking Routines [Link] https://pz.harvard.edu/thinking-routines

The “See, Think, Wonder” thinking routine was developed by Project Zero, a research
center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

08/26/2026

With BKC, you can access courses anytime, anywhere, on any device. Pause, resume, and learn at your own pace. The content is free, and certificates are only $5 if you need them.

Feeling chic yet? 💅

08/25/2026

Back-to-school season is here! 🚌

If your facility transports children, now is a great time to revisit transportation safety practices. Make sure every child is properly restrained, and always check the vehicle from front to back when you arrive at your destination. These simple steps help keep children safe and can be lifesaving.

08/24/2026

New classroom. New school. New routines. New faces. The end of summer can bring lots of changes for young children—and even exciting changes can come with big feelings.

Books can give children a familiar, comfortable way to talk about what’s changing, what they’re wondering about, and what they might expect next. This book list from Trying Together includes stories to support many kinds of childhood transitions, from starting child care or kindergarten to moving, family changes, worries, and more.

Take a look and find a story to share as you help children navigate what comes next.

[Link: https://tryingtogether.org/dap/books-transitions/]