Life Buoyancy Institute Foundation’s Post

How do you feel about "love" being expressed within teaching, residential care, support worker or practitioner roles? My views have softened. I have witnessed first hand the devastating impact of children never being told "they are loved" because they live in institutional care or the nature of their life circumstances. Yes, there are risks of more visible expression of 'love', but the risks of not visibly expressing love for vulnerable children are higher. If these points resonate with you and/or challenge your worldviews, I encourage you to check out the LBI blog below and be part of the conversation.

🥴 Engaging Emotions in Raising Disciple-Makers. In Western disciple-making efforts, we’ve often emphasized the mind—Scripture memorization, reflection, and application—while neglecting the heart. But emotions matter deeply, especially when engaging children. Drawing from Chip Dodd’s insights on emotions, this tool explores how we can better incorporate feelings into discipleship. By understanding and validating emotions like fear, sadness, and guilt, we foster healthier conversations that lead to genuine transformation. This approach invites both parents and children to show up vulnerably, paving the way for true heart change in the process of disciple-making. Access this tool and other family disciple-making tools in the Toolkit at https://lnkd.in/g8As5jGu

Dialogues @Abheek,a series every month for us as parents or educators having open dialogue among yourselves facilitates 1. Shared understanding of the child's needs. 2. Coordinated support and strategies. 3. Enhanced collaboration with educators and caregivers. 4. Emotional support and empathy. 5. Better decision-making for the child's well-being. Join us this month for more understanding .... listening to others perspectives.

What Is It Like to Navigate the Maze of Early Childhood Developmental Services? In our most recent blog post, ABCD Collaboration Manager Nikki Fitch takes a deep dive into how ABCD is elevating families’ experiences within systems of care. Learn about how your practice or organization can create better experiences for families: https://lnkd.in/gvZnj8P2

In Loving Care - Author Helle Heckmann Loving care starts from the point of perceiving and accommodating the needs of young children under three years old. Taking the child’s need as her point of departure, Helle Heckmann sets aside mainstream expectations. Twenty-first century pressures on families, imposing long working days on parents and much absence from the family and home, create the classic problem of our times: while creating economic safety and security for their families, how can we give our best to the children we love while also satisfying personal needs as well as the demands of society? This book offers perspectives from several adults who care for the young child in different ways. The child under three should never stand alone and should always be permitted to influence society. We all have a childhood in common. To register https://lnkd.in/en_5C59n

On Wednesday, in a conversation with the clinicians at Cornerstone Day School, we discussed the concept of “holding space”. To moms and dads, your children will be more healthy and more securely attached when you simply Show Up and hold space for them. Hold space means create a home environment where they ALWAYS feel safe. To teachers and others in the educational system, holding space means creating sanctuary. Sanctuary is in your presence, always being welcomed and respected; a place where students desire to be. Holding sacred space for all of our babies. What does that mean to you, and what do you personally do to hold space?

Yes!! ECE: You are so incredibly important to young children, their families, and society! Not everyone fully understands how challenging, complex, fulfilling ,and influential your work (life mission!) is. Please do share your stories to deepen this understanding. The positive difference you make is exponential!

There’s still time to participate in today’s webinar on parenting children of of a different race or culture. The registration link (see the event page) is open until the webinar begins at 1pm ET! #adoption #adoptioneducation #socialwork #childwelfare

One (of the many) ways ⬇️ Share your stories. Use social media, blogs, conferences, and other platforms to share your experiences, challenges, and successes as an early childhood professional. Personal stories humanize the importance of your work and can inspire others to support and join the cause. Sharing your experiences and insights helps raise awareness about the critical role of early childhood educators and advocates for the resources and support needed to ensure the success of the profession. In our most recent blog post, written by DCAEYC's Berna Artis, we share dozens of other ways early childhood educators can have their voices heard! You can read, "Amplifying the Voices of Early Childhood Educators" here: https://lnkd.in/gEB7h6AR

A Tree We Love, written by Behavior Specialist Jennifer Bragdon, is a heartwarming story that encourages children to explore nature and their emotions. 🌳📚 Read below or download at https://lnkd.in/eVV7GrDx #ChildrensBook #NatureExploration #EarlyLearning