Success Stories

Small changes yielded big rewards for Teresa Storm when she piloted Active Early at her Amery, WI family childcare center, Tender Times Child Care. Six years ago, prompted by a personal conviction to improve her own lifestyle, Storm started giving more attention to the physical activity and nutrition patterns of the children at her center. Her informal efforts were a start, but it was not until completing the Active Early training that Storm intentionally scheduled physical a...

For a child learning to read, opening a book involves risk. Without the opportunity to take risks outside, as in climbing a tree or catching crayfish in a creek, a child won’t be as inclined to take that first risk in learning to read. Laura Shallow, owner of Shining Stars Preschool and Child Care Center in Suamico, WI has long-believed that the “body wires the brain.” She devoted a year to piloting the Active Early program because she recognizes physical activity as an...

For Linda Groom, director of Hudson Community Children’s Center, one mother’s letter was a powerful confirmation of the positive impact of the Active Early pilot. The note, handwritten in crayon, expressed her gratitude for the new emphasis on active play and learning. The physical activity time provided her son with autism an appropriate outlet for releasing his energy, allowing him to be more attentive and successful the rest of the day. Academic preparation for school ...

Brenda Flannery whole-heartedly took on Active Early with a child-centered approach. At Li’l Blessings Child Care, her family childcare center in Crandon, WI, Flannery typically cares for 5-7 children, all under the age of 5. The range of ages and physical abilities made it difficult for Flannery to guide teacher-led activities. Instead, she began by observing the children’s self-directed play and capitalized on their natural tendencies. For a child in the developmental p...

From the Start Sheri Johnson just knew that she would some day educate and inspire young children. Sheri has grown into a remarkable teacher that started as a young child playing “School” with her friends siting in desks, as she stood as the teacher in the front of the room. As a family child care owner, she finds it exhilarating to watch the interactions between her students that are of all different ages. The older children help with the younger, while the younger lear...