When we remove all of the 'non-teaching stuff' that surrounds our profession, we educators are left with an opportunity- to connect with the 'still maturing' mind of our young students.   We can have all the trappings and bells and whistles and laptops or digital projectors or classroom props and decorations, but if we don't have the ability to make a real, personal, one on one connection to these human beings, we won't really have a positive, lasting impact.  Wendolyn Bird shares from her decades of experience working with very young children, parents and also other educators, and we dive into what it takes to deeply engage and 'lead' an early childhood program in a way that is soothing, stimulating and energizing. Wendolyn discusses ways to connect with children that meet them in ways that help them grow, which is crucial to achieving the goals we have as educators or parents.   Listening to her stories makes me wish she had been MY preschool teacher, too, because she is both wise AND fun.  The bonds we make with emotionally safe adults is incredibly important and soothing to us as children.  Learning these skills is a profound game changer for us as educators and for our students, which is sorely needed in today's rapidly changing world. Connect with Wendolyn: Website:   https://wendolynbird.com/ Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/wendolyn.bird Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/wendolyn__bird/ Join the Forest Educator Patreon! https://patreon.com/ForestEducatorPodcast Connect with Ricardo: https://www.foresteducator.com/ https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/ https://www.hawkcircle.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra