“Supporting educator well-being is one major focus of DIEEC efforts including Let’s Grow Outside! and Shining the Light on You,” said Laura Lessard, associate professor in the College of Health Sciences’ Department of Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences and senior advisor for well-being at DIEEC. “Research shows that supportive work environments, which include well-being supports, can help increase job satisfaction and retention in the workforce. Early childhood educators deserve opportunities to focus on themselves and their health and we know spending time outside contributes to those goals.”
“I loved all of the knowledge and experience that the children had exposure to, learning with everybody and working as a community,” Mercado said. “It’s an amazing experience, and you have help from the beginning.”
Funded by a Delaware Department of Education Farm to School federal grant, the Let’s Grow Outside! initiative will begin again on Nov. 22 with a new group of early childhood programs from all three counties in Delaware.
About the Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood
Housed in CEHD, DIEEC works collaboratively to develop and deliver comprehensive, evidence-based supports for early childhood professionals, children and families across Delaware. Through innovative research and partnerships, the center advances equity for all Delaware families and promotes high-quality education for children, families and early childhood educators.
The Let’s Grow Outside! program complements other nature-based education initiatives in the college, like the pioneering curriculum of the Lab School on CEHD’s Children’s Campus.
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