Amy Pybus has been running a family child care program out of her home for ten years (and hasn’t gone crazy yet. Not once!). She is a writer, early childhood expert, parent educator, and advocate for child care providers.
Child care is a complicated, undervalued, difficult, and essential job. This blog is trying to show what it’s really like for us out here in the trenches, and how important it is for our culture to treat its child care workers with respect (before we all burn out and run away screaming).
Most importantly, Amy speaks for children, who she believes are highly misunderstood beings. Much of her work is advocating for their best interests – often flying in the face of common practices and beliefs. Amy is a licensed child care provider and teacher, and holds a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education with a specialization in brain-based education research.
Just in case you’re wondering, the title of this blog was inspired by an actual list of rules created when we had some serious sibling rivalry going on:
And truly, I have had to tell the toddlers many, many times that “We don’t sit on babies!!” Seriously. I can’t make this stuff up.
Great site! Thanks for sharing your stories. Best, A
Just found your blog after reading the recent article in the Daily Hampshire Gazette about “toddlers benefit from an anti-bullying program”. I loved the article and completely agree. I work very hard with all my daycare kids (and especially one) to treat each other and me nicely. Your article validated everything I have been trying to do. Thank you
I’m a mom to an almost 3yr old boy in E’ton and I’m also glad I caught your article in the Gazette. Your words of wisdom come at a good time, since my son has played both the role of the bully and bullied, and my ideas as referee are burning out. In most cases, I’m the one he’s going after! Plus I’m currently shopping for an appropriate preschool program around town, so this has been a big topic for our family to explore. Many thanks.
i just found this website today and I have to say, your my new hero!!! I am a provider of 10 years home daycare, before that 7 years in centers! I love that every morning I wake and say “I get to go to work today!” Anxious to welcome the children each morning!! I also have a website for my daycare and love your articles, so I may add links on my website to your articles if thats ok!! Thank you for entertaining us and being such a wonderful provider to the children in your care!
CINDY THOMAS
www,kidoasis.com
Now THAT’S what I’m talkin bout. Thanks so much, Cindy! Same back at you – and it’s nice to hear some positivity around working with kids. Please feel free to link away. Thanks for brightening my day!
I attended your workshop this evening and was totally impressed! Your skill and presentation made it one of the best workshops i’ve attended….and there have been MANY. I have been working with childen of all ages, infant through teens, and find them all so amazing. I’ve just started with infants and toddlers again after 25 years of running a preschool/pre k program. All of your handouts and information is exactly the way I feel and work, and have for the last 55 years. I have seen that pendulam swing, and, even with some criticism from some colleagues, have stuck by my premises.
I am now exploring the secrets of my grown-up brain…not so bad.
Hi Sandy – Thank you so much for this lovely comment, it means so much. I wish I’d had more time to explore the details but looking at that group I could see that everyone was just exhausted. That’s a hard week. It’s like they say, brain research is proving what GOOD teachers already know! I’m sure you can see the results of your work! Thanks again!!