Building on the Wonders of Childhood

Empowering Educators in Building the Power of Early Childhood Education.

STEAM Ideas for Home
May 26, 2020

STEAM Ideas for Home

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.7″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off”] Sometimes as adults, we read these blogs and articles, or in my case, recipe books and try to follow each set of directions to a tee. We face enough stress in life without the need of putting more on […]

Institute Blog 0 8 min read
Talking to Toddlers During a Time of Crisis
May 18, 2020

Talking to Toddlers During a Time of Crisis

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.2″] Covid-19 descended upon Seattle, seeping in like a fog first in small ways, then eventually in signals we couldn’t ignore. Stores were empty, hours at our center were limited. A constant state of interruption became the norm. Children were being told constantly to get up and wash their hands, cover […]

Institute Blog 0 7 min read
Supporting Self-Directed Play
April 27, 2020

Supporting Self-Directed Play

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.2″] The suggestions below were written for families in one of Hilltop’s classrooms for two- and three-year-olds. We hope this may be useful to family members and parents who unexpectedly find themselves spending lots more time at home with young children. As many of us are suddenly growing our […]

Institute Blog 0 7 min read
Creating Community Remotely
April 1, 2020

Creating Community Remotely

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.4.2″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.4.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.2″]Here in Seattle, where all public and private K-12 schools are currently closed or practicing “remote learning” for the foreseeable future, some preschools have also closed temporarily, in accordance with statewide advisories for social distancing. At Hilltop, which serves 120 children starting as young as age 2, our building […]

Institute Blog 0 4 min read
Toddler Scientist
December 3, 2019

Toddler Scientist

This is science, and these children are practicing their scientific thinking. I smiled and asked myself: Where are these ideas coming from? What experiences do these children have that support their theories?

Institute Blog 0 4 min read
Food for Thought
November 11, 2019

Food for Thought

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.2″ hover_enabled=”0″] How does food create meaningful interactions? I eat lunch and snack with the children in my class of 3-5 year olds every day, and have been thinking a lot about our relationship with food, as well as the connection between food and our relationships with each other. […]

Institute Blog 0 6 min read
Darline Guerrero – Hilltop’s New Executive Director
October 21, 2019

Darline Guerrero – Hilltop’s New Executive Director

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.7″] Leadership Transition at Hilltop Children’s Center Darline Guerrero Has Been Hired As Hilltop’s Next Executive Director Seattle, WA – Oct 21st, 2019 Hilltop Children’s Center is a high-quality preschool, afterschool program, and professional development institute of early learning and inquiry serving the Seattle community since 1971. […]

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New Year, New Classroom
August 15, 2019

New Year, New Classroom

With summer in full swing, educators in the Rainbow Classroom at Hilltop are gearing up for our biggest transition of the year, when we send our group of now-3-year-olds into their new classrooms. They are ready for this move and it is becoming more apparent with each passing day that they are outgrowing Rainbow room.

Institute Blog 0 9 min read