Presented by Shelley Nicholson, PhD, Owner/Director of Nicholson Early Childhood Education Center; and Jessica Martinez, Director of The Goddard School of Austin
Sponsored by Gryphon House

Watch the Recording

If you attended the live session, you’ll be emailed a CE certificate within 24 hours of the edWebinar. If you view the recording and would like a CE certificate, join the Early Learning Book Chats community and go to the edWebinar Archives folder to take the CE quiz.

Early childhood teachers often struggle with creating enticing and engaging play-based environments on limited budgets. In this edWebinar, Shelley Nicholson, PhD, Owner/Director of Nicholson Early Childhood Education Center; and Jessica Martinez, Director of The Goddard School of Austin explore inexpensive ways to collect and create classroom learning materials. They also share helpful tips and strategies from their book, Thrifty Teacher’s Guide to Creative Learning Centers, including:

• How to find, choose, and integrate materials into learning centers
• How to create unique and inviting props for play and learning
• What children are learning as they play with materials
• How to scaffold learning with materials
• When to add or replace materials through observation of children

This edWebinar is designed for teachers of preschoolers and those who support their curriculum planning efforts such as directors, administrators, curriculum coordinators, and teacher educators. Teachers do not have to be artistic to be creative. Learn what amazing things can be done with a little hot glue, duct tape, and cardboard!

About the Presenters

Dr. Shelley Nicholson has over 30 years of experience in the field as an early childhood teacher, center director, teacher educator, university professor, and presenter at local and national early childhood conferences. She holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction, specializing in early childhood education, from the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently the director/owner of a half-day preschool in Austin, Texas.

Jessica Martinez has over 20 years of experience as an early childhood teacher and center director. She is currently the director of a full-day child care center. Both authors have a passion for collecting and creating learning materials for young children. They have presented on this topic as workshops in their local community and at national early childhood conferences.

Join the Early Learning Book Chats community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming webinars, view past edWebinars, take a quiz to receive a CE certificate for a past edWebinar, and access free resources.

Watch the Recording

 Gryphon House, Inc. is an award-winning publisher of early childhood resources for teachers and parents.