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Making Change Happen
March 19, 2010
No one is perfect - that’s why pencils have erasers
-Wolfgang Riebe, Swiss Speaker/Magician
In her article, "Welcome the Change Coming Soon to Your Life," in the March 2010 issue of Exchange, Debra Sullivan offered a variety of strategies for leaders of early childhood to help their teams deal with change, including these ideas on providing transitional support during change...

"Sometimes, even with preparation, an abundance of communication and excellent implementation strategies, people will need additional support. Transitional support is about giving people what they need to help them make a change.  It acknowledges that change is not easy and that there are steps we can take to encourage forward movement.  Transitional support in leadership could range anywhere from a supportive cheer to the National Guard.

"Let’s look at another example: School desegregation efforts in the ­United States in the 1960s after the Brown decision.  At that time, children had to be escorted into schools with armed guards because, even with preparation, communication, and implementation plans, the change to racially integrated classrooms was about more than a shift in patterns and practices; it was about people’s beliefs and perceptions of others.

"In leading people through change, successful leaders look beyond implementation and constantly assess how change is progressing.  They then use that assessment to determine what is needed — for both individuals and for the group — in the way of resources, guidance, assistance, and support.  Successful leaders understand that providing transitional support is much like supporting ­children’s development — not everyone is in the same place, not everyone needs the same thing, and not everyone is on the same ‘transitional time schedule.’"



Learning to Lead:  Effective Leadership Skills for Teachers of Young Children by Debra Sullivan is written for early childhood teachers at all levels.  It combines accessible leadership theory and practice with important topics and issues such as human development, diversity, anti-bias, work with families, and social change.  Each chapter is built around a combination of theories, examples, and reflection questions — all designed to prompt self-evaluation and personal leadership development.

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Comments (2)

Displaying All 2 Comments
zabida Ali · March 21, 2010
Tavua, Ba, Fiji


I think that these thoughts can only be from people who work with young children and they understand them holistically and those who love themselves and appreciate what God has given them.

I very much agree with your discussions and m always inspired by the views

Brenda Sam · March 19, 2010
totworld child care centre
Toronto, Ontario, Canada


I love reading about about Debra Sullivan on Effective Leadership Skills and I would like to have a copy of the book.



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