What you did not see on TV

I just finished watching tonight's episode of Extreme Home Makeover. It's not a show I typically watch but tonight I wanted to see it because it was about a preschool program that was being rebuilt after it literally floated away when major floods hit Nashville early this year.

 

 This is a photo from the Lighthouse Christian School Website of the preschool building as it got carried away by the flood. Click here to watch the video.

This was also THE episode that our friend and colleague (and former DEC President) Mary Louise Hemmeter was asked to consult to help the designers come up not only with "fun" designs but ones that meet children's learning needs.

Mary Louise with the EHM designers

Throughout the episode, the designers talked about how they wanted the classrooms and indoor/outdoor play areas to be fun for the children but also that these areas are appropriate for and facilitated children's learning. I definitely saw and heard Mary Louise in this episode, via the designers and their design choices.

While it is not that easy to make classrooms always look pretty, I think it is harder to make sure that these rooms are substantive. As my colleague Tweety Yates (and another former DEC President) says in her presentations, "Cute is not enough!" 

One thing I know from my CSEFEL colleagues is that designing and creating high-quality supportive learning environments for young children is key to building a strong foundation for children to learn.

 The CSEFEL Pyramid Model 

Many of us may not necessarily make it on prime time TV, but every day we have the opportunity to make an impact on the lives of children with special needs and their families!

Mary Louise and to all of you our colleagues around the globe who give ECSE/EI a good name -- we are so proud of you for what you accomplish for children and families every day!