Hi, eePRO community! We're thrilled to announce our new group moderators for the Early Childhood EE eePRO Group. For their introductions, we asked Carla Gull and Corey Sperling to reveal what's currently piquing their interest. Keep reading to find out what they had to share!

One of my favorite books is Anywhere Artist by Nikki Slade Robinson. As loose parts, nature, and play are pretty much my favorite topics—so much so that I have a podcast called Loose Parts Nature Play!—this book combines it all! I love sharing it with young children (or adults) in the middle of a hike or while we're in a natural play space. Typically, we can find natural loose parts nearby and then can each create something on our own OR collaboratively work together for a natural, loose-part art piece. The book reminds us that art can be created or found anywhere in nature—with mud, rain puddles, clouds, and more! Additionally, ANY of us can be ephemeral artists with the loose parts we find naturally around us in the outdoors.

Over my 17+ year career, I have been a passionate environmental educator who has dabbled in a range of careers and teaching audiences from toddlers to senior citizens. One of my favorite activities is to dive into the affective domain learning activity by having the group go out in the forest and just find a place to sit.  I have them listen, feel, and get in tune with the natural environment. The age range determines how long this activity would last. This activity would provide such deep meaning to the participants because they are getting intimately involved with their natural surroundings and making observations they might not have thought of before. It is profound.  

I am a big group management advocate and have done many trainings for staff and organizations because I feel you cannot effectively teach when you do not have a class that is receptive to learning and understanding. My go-to method is a theory from Dr. Becky Bailey called "Conscious Discipline." This changed the way I teach every class and has enabled me to increase participant size in my programs without sacrificing quality. I encourage everyone to take a look at those resources.

We're thrilled to have these incredible individuals on board! Check out the resources they shared. Send your greetings in the comments below, and head over to the Early Childhood EE Group for the latest news!