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Highlights- Connection Kits
ELC of Brevard in partnership with Highlight will receive a Kindness Connections Kit for every VPK classroom upon participation in a professional learning session
Kindness is at the heart of what Highlights does. Their resources are designed to help children learn empathy by seeing it modeled and practiced in everyday experiences.
Each kit includes:
- Kindness Connections Enrichment Kit
- I Am Kind to Myself (Hardcover)
- ABCs of Kindness (Hardcover)
- Kindness Counts (Hardcover)
- We Are Better Together (Hardcover)
To receive your Kindness Connections Kit:
- View Kindness Webinar-Kindness Connections Webinar copy with Audio 1.mp4
- Complete Certificate-Kindness Certificate
- Email Certificate: Harriet Paredes- hparedes@elcbrevard.org / Priscilla Ramos- pramos@elcbrevard.org
- Once certificate is received – you will then be scheduled for kit pick up.
The Kindness Connections_Pacing Guides provides four “quick start” options to lesson planning with Kindness Connections themes and incorporating kindness into your classroom week after week, month after month.
CLASS™ OBSERVATION
NEW- FY 26-27: Enhancing Pre-K Interactions with CLASS 2nd Edition
Teachstone has released the CLASS 2nd Edition, and DEL has announced Phase One of our transition to using the updated tool.
Beginning in the year 2026-2027 contract, we will move to the 2nd Edition for Pre-K.
What’s Changing?
No need to worry-the heart of CLASS isn’t changing. It still focuses on the powerful interactions between you and your students. However, the 2nd Edition brings some helpful “enhancements”
- Enhanced Equity: Includes better-defined behavior markers, diverse examples, and videos reflecting various cultures, communities, and child abilities.
- Streamlined Tools: Age-level frameworks are simplified and perfect for mixed-age settings.
- Actionable Scoring: Observers provide scoring at the “indicator level” to better support your professional growth.
What to Expect During an Observation?
Observations will feel very familiar. A certified observer with the Children’s Forum will spend time in your classroom, typically about 2+ hours, to document natural, everyday interactions. Remember: There is no need for a “perfect” lesson! Observers want to see a typical day. They are looking for how you build relationships (Emotional Support), manage your classroom (Classroom Organization), and challenge children’s thinking (Instructional Support). So, here’s how to prepare for a smooth transition to the 2nd Edition for Pre-K.
Tips:
- Be Authentic: Continue your normal routine. The best observations happen when you and the children are comfortable and being yourselves.
- Focus on Relationships: The core of CLASS 2nd Edition remains your responsiveness to children’s needs. Trust in the bonds you’ve built!
- Use the Feedback: Look at your new indicator-level scores as a roadmap for your own professional goals and growth.
What more can you do?
Learn the language of CLASS. Register on the ELC Calendar for the Overview to CLASS. Reach out to your certified coach for more information.
PK3_Transition_2nd Edition Crosswalk_v1.1: an at-a-glance view of the keys enhancements to CLASS terms found within CLASS 2nd edition.
Professional Development Team:
Lisa Diggs- ldiggs@elcbrevard.org
Chinaka Grizzle- cgrizzle@elcbrevard.org
Priscilla Ramos- pramos@elcbrevard.org
LINKS
The Council for Professional Recognition is a leader in the credentialing of early childhood educators worldwide.
Early Learning Florida is a statewide professional development system built for Florida’s early childhood educators in partnership with the Florida Office of Early Learning, the Florida Legislature, and the Governor’s office.
ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI), a distance training institution, is dedicated to providing online training to meet the continuing education requirements of the child care industry.
Florida adopted the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards (2017) in Fall 2017. The standards and benchmarks reflect the knowledge and skills that a child on a developmental progression should know and be able to do at the end of an age-related timeframe.
Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards
Looking for scholarship assistance while pursuing your education?
Looking for local early childhood trainings?
Looking for local early childhood education college credit opportunities?
Contact: Career & Technical Programs, Early Childhood Education,
Catherine Beam, beamc@easternflorida.edu
Eastern Florida State College
Building on the Excellence of Brevard Community College
Training Modules- Connecting Learning and Coaching
Registration Link: https://link.edgepilot.com/s/b13d57cb/eBQFU4pVnkaghU6U5kf7Rw?u=https://cpeip.catalog.instructure.com/
KIDVISION
Kid Vision VPK
This free Public Broadcasting System (PBS) website resource provides virtual field trips around the community establishing meaningful learning opportunities that are extended into the classroom through hands-on lesson plans and student assessments related to the Standards for Four-Year-Olds. Free CEUs and in-service hours are available for early childhood teachers. This site serves as a supplemental resource for understanding the Standards for Four-Year-Olds.
