The COVID-19 pandemic changed the world in so many ways. At first I was terrified. I wasn’t sure of anything and scared of everything.

Far too soon (in my opinion) my child development center returned to work “as normal.” The new normal consisted of masks, more bleach, more space between each other, less interactions with other classrooms and the community…. all things that are not conducive to Early Childhood best practices. to say the field and education has changed would be an understatement.

The major lasting effects of Covid in the preschool realm are on the children themselves. Children were (for no fault of their own) kept home, indoors, glued to devices away from others and not experiencing what is necessary for growth and development.

Now 5 years later behaviors of said children are out of control. Children are showing signs of withdrawal without devices. Children are far less exposed to emotions let alone regulating. Children are even less used to sharing, taking turns, patience and even playing alongside others. Which makes running a classroom immensely more difficult from what it used to be.

Teachers are facing more and more issues, inconveniences, and behaviors that they truly are not even trained let alone prepared to handle. What has the field done?

Ha. Training? Nope. Change ratios? Nope. We’ve added more and more to their plates and taken away resources that could support them to save money. Teachers deserve so much more. The need is dire. Children teachers and families are all being negatively impacted by the inequities, diminishing funding, and the lack of care for the future of our world.

I beg and plead please take education seriously again. Quit banning curriculums, depleting funds, and treating hardworking passionate educators like garbage. We need to do better. Be better. Support our education system and the wonderful amazing educators who work their asses off day in and out.

Teachers I see you. I hear you. You are amazing. I am here to help in anyway I can.

Thrive on. 🩷