Growing Grateful Hearts
Gratitude is more than a polite “thank you.” It’s a deep emotional awareness that someone has done something kind, often at a cost or effort. For young children—especially those from birth to five—this understanding doesn’t come naturally. Their world is understandably self-centered as they are still developing their sense of self and others.
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Early childhood professionals have the unique opportunity to plant the seeds of gratitude early—helping children grow into more empathetic, resilient, and socially connected individuals. With intentional strategies and consistent modeling, educators can help even the youngest learners begin to recognize and express appreciation in meaningful ways.
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Research shows that children who practice gratitude are happier, more empathetic, and build stronger relationships. Gratitude also supports emotional regulation and enhances well-being. While infants and toddlers may not fully understand the concept, early experiences shape the emotional and cognitive foundations needed for gratitude to grow.
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For preschoolers, developing language and social awareness allow for more intentional discussions and demonstrations of thankfulness. Rather than focusing on teaching gratitude as a behavior, think of it as a skill that develops gradually—nurtured by the environment and relationships children experience every day.
Grow with TLC
Professional Development Opportunities
At Teaching Leading Coaching (TLC), we take pride in delivering high-quality professional development opportunities designed to empower administrators, staff, and families. Our expert team provides engaging sessions both virtually through Zoom and in person, ensuring flexibility and accessibility. With a focus on practical strategies and meaningful insights, our programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of each audience, fostering growth, collaboration, and success.
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TLC is grounded in the belief that all young children deserve nurturing, high-quality learning environments led by confident, well-prepared educators. Our work centers on building the capacity of the early childhood workforce through supportive, relevant, and inspiring learning experiences. Whether participants are just entering the field or are seasoned professionals seeking to grow, we provide tools that are realistic, inclusive, and immediately applicable. At TLC, we don’t just offer training—we cultivate lasting change by investing in the people who make a difference every day. Click here to learn more.
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Begin your CDA Journey with TLC
Are you ready to take the next step in your career? TLC has been offering Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential classes for 5 years, backed by the expertise of our seasoned instructors who have been teaching this course even longer!
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Our 5-month program is designed to fit your busy schedule with weekly, live, and interactive classes on Zoom. Over four months, you’ll dive into engaging content, complete weekly homework assignments, and build your professional portfolio. Once the course content is completed, we’ll continue to support you every step of the way with weekly check-in sessions to guide you through the CDA process—including paperwork submission, exam scheduling, and observation preparation.
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Join a proven program that prepares you for success and equips you with the tools you need to earn your CDA credential!
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Convenient.
Interactive.
Effective.
Let TLC help you advance your career in child development.