Ten Lessons From Ten Years of On Demand!

Early care and education (ECE) and out-of-school time (OST) professionals seek practical ideas. This matches what adult learning theory has emphasized for more than fifty years. Adults expect what they are learning to be immediately useful. Malcolm Knowles, the developer of adult learning theory, suggested some key starting points about adults as learners. One was that "adult learners are problem-solvers. They want training that can be immediately applied to their world around them." And ECE/OST professionals epitomize that adult learner. They are busy people, multi-tasking most/all of the time they are awake.

Better Kid Care (BKC) strives to present evidence-informed ideas in very practical ways through rich examples in video and easy-to-apply ideas in handouts. For example, one educator after completing the course, "Physical Activities for Young Children: Lead with Confidence" commented, "I really enjoyed the activity ideas that were given in the video. I can't wait to try the balloon on a rope and the bug on the plate activity." A provider, after finishing the course "Preschool Foundations: Environments and Routines that Work," shared that they "will make more quiet time areas to accommodate more children."

We know that adult learning (like developmentally appropriate learning for children) is enhanced by hands-on opportunities. What better way to get excited about an idea than to try it out with the children in your care? And as educators try out ideas, they will find ways to make them their own and make them successful with their families. Professional development organizations and program supervisors can make staff click on a two-hour course, but it is difficult to keep them engaged if staff can't put the content to work in their worlds right away. There is an important place for reflection, but the reflection and deep mental work needs to be paired with practical, doable ideas. That's where BKC resources come in, both in the formal professional learning realm (meeting certification and licensing needs), but also in the quick, practical, easy-to-implement resources and ideas.

This month, we highlight some practical resources and ideas available from BKC:

• since April is Earth month, here's a handout with practical ideas you can use in your program this week--there are enough ideas to last you well into summer (and even a few to save for when the cold winds blow again)
• this handout for families provides helpful ideas when your child is a picky eater
• this one-pager has easy-to-try ideas for welcoming dual-language learners and their families

We certainly appreciate all the people who look to BKC for help. We promise to "keep it real" when we design for you!