Attending the Zero to Three Conference in Long Beach, CA a couple of weeks ago deepened my admiration for early childhood educators. The conference brought together an enthusiastic and passionate community of professionals dedicated to nurturing young children’s development. It was inspiring to witness their shared commitment to making a difference.
My experience at the conference was most certainly influenced by a camp I recently ran at my child's school. Last spring, I eagerly agreed to lead a week-long gardening camp thinking it would be similar to the lessons I had taught before. Now with a different perspective, I can see my naivete in thinking it wouldn't be difficult to keep children engaged for a week!
I have never been so thoroughly exhausted.
For three hours each day, I had 14 students ranging from kindergarten to 5th grade. That is 15 hours of classroom time and at least 30 hours of preparation.
Yet, after connecting and learning at Zero to Three, I can confidently say that my entire week was still much easier than the easiest day of any early childhood teacher or caregiver.
I have always had great respect for teachers, but my experience truly drove home how incredibly challenging the job is. I was constantly on the move—standing, bending, reaching, solving problems. At any given moment, at least six students were talking to me or asking questions. My mind was constantly racing, anticipating the next issue, while my body longed for a break. And again, I was only with them for three hours a day, for one week!
Attending the Zero to Three Conference with this different lens made the experience all that more powerful.
While I could list numerous enlightening moments at Zero to Three, one of the most impactful came from Walter Gilliam, PhD, the executive director of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute and the Richard D. Holland Presidential Chair in Early Childhood Development at the University of Nebraska, who said, “You can’t care for babies without caring for the people who care for babies.”
His words struck a chord with everyone in the room, earning him a standing ovation. Early childhood educators carry an immense responsibility, often with limited resources. Their work is not just physically demanding but also emotionally challenging, requiring extraordinary patience, creativity, and resilience.
The conference also shed light on the complex challenges faced by our youngest learners. Hearing firsthand accounts of the obstacles educators overcome every day was both heartrending and hopeful.
I left the conference feeling both inspired and humbled. At Gryphon House, we take pride in supporting early childhood educators by providing resources that enhance their work. Our books offer practical guidance, innovative ideas, and essential information for caregivers of young children. We are dedicated to creating materials that empower educators to make a lasting impact on young lives and take better care of themselves in the process.
As I look ahead to next year’s Zero to Three Conference in Baltimore, I’m filled with excitement. It will be another opportunity to connect with colleagues, learn from experts, and continue supporting the incredible work of early childhood educators.
From all of us at Gryphon House Books, thank you, educators, for everything you do every single day to create a better future.
Click here to learn more about Zero to Three.