In early childhood education, every moment of growth is precious. Children develop so quickly that sometimes even the little changes can go unnoticed by busy parents and teachers. That’s where “Throwback Thursday” comes in—a fun and impactful theme to celebrate the progress children make throughout their time in daycare or preschool. With “then and now” highlights, we can remind parents, teachers, and children just how far they’ve come, encouraging confidence and a deeper connection with their school community.
This month, we’re diving into how to create memorable “then and now” displays in your childcare center, all while making it easy and secure with MyKidReports, our trusted childcare management software. Whether it’s a bulletin board in the classroom or an online slideshow shared with parents, capturing these milestones has never been simpler.
Why Celebrate Growth?
Celebrating children’s growth fosters an environment of support, positivity, and achievement. According to early childhood research by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), recognizing milestones helps children develop a healthy sense of self-worth and reinforces the joy of learning. When children and parents see these “then and now” moments, it brings perspective and encouragement to keep growing and learning.
For childcare centers, growth celebrations do more than just create sentimental moments—they also strengthen family bonds and encourage open communication with parents. With MyKidReports, childcare providers can streamline these updates, share progress securely, and make every memory count. Let’s look at how you can implement this theme effectively!
Step 1: Creating Your “Then and Now” Display
A “then and now” display is a wonderful way to visually showcase each child’s development, whether it’s a physical bulletin board or a digital album shared through MyKidReports. Here’s how to make it happen:
1. Collecting Photos Safely
Start by gathering photos of each child from when they first enrolled and compare them with recent ones. For parents who have been with the center for years, this is especially rewarding. You may already have these photos documented in MyKidReports, which makes it simple to find and share them.
Pro Tip: Make sure to obtain permission from parents before using any child’s images in public or shared displays. MyKidReports allows you to store these photos securely and control who has access, providing a layer of protection and convenience.
2. Designing the Display
Once you have your photos, create a side-by-side layout that’s easy for parents and children to enjoy. For physical displays, use a “growth wall” with each child’s name and space for both the “then” and “now” pictures. Digital displays in MyKidReports can allow parents to scroll through their child’s milestones.
Enhance your display by adding comments or captions, sharing what teachers and classmates admire about each child. This helps children feel even more valued and seen by their community.
Step 2: Sharing the Impact of Growth on Development
The impact of celebrating growth is huge. By reflecting on their progress, children learn the value of perseverance, curiosity, and confidence. Recognizing these milestones also promotes self-identity and social-emotional learning, all key elements in early childhood development.
Building Confidence in Children
Every child benefits from seeing how much they’ve achieved. A simple “then and now” moment can spark pride and encourage a positive self-image. Parents also benefit, as they see the results of their partnership with teachers in nurturing their child’s potential. MyKidReports makes this easier by documenting and sharing these moments, showing the real progress that children make daily.
Encouraging Parent Involvement
Throwback Thursday moments are also powerful for parent engagement. By actively sharing these photos and moments with families through MyKidReports, you’re building a bridge between the classroom and home. Parents become more invested in their child’s daily activities and see the benefits of their child’s experience with the center.
“Many of our parents tell us they love the Throwback Thursday updates,” says Emily Carter, a preschool director. “They enjoy seeing their child’s milestones, and with MyKidReports, it’s so easy to keep everyone in the loop. We’ve found that these posts really boost parent satisfaction and communication.”
Step 3: Using MyKidReports to Streamline Growth Highlights
Documenting and organizing these “then and now” memories can be time-consuming. That’s where MyKidReports comes in as an essential tool for childcare centers. This software offers a secure, user-friendly way to store, organize, and share growth moments with families.
Key Features of MyKidReports That Enhance “Then and Now” Celebrations
- Secure Photo Storage: MyKidReports enables teachers to store photos of each child safely, with access permissions in place. This means teachers can share precious moments with families without worrying about privacy concerns.
- Parent Communication: With MyKidReports, centers can send out weekly or monthly updates that include these “then and now” photos. Parents appreciate being in the loop and are reminded of the meaningful progress their child is making.
- Personalized Learning Portfolios: MyKidReports allows each child to have a personalized portfolio where teachers can upload growth milestones. This becomes an invaluable tool for end-of-year reflections, showing just how far each child has come.
Real-Life Testimonial: How MyKidReports Enhanced One Preschool’s “Then and Now” Initiative
Lisa Greene, a teacher at Little Sprouts Preschool, shares, “We use MyKidReports to keep track of each child’s journey, and parents love it. Last year, we put together ‘then and now’ albums for each child as a gift at the end of the year. The feedback was incredible! Parents felt so connected to their child’s growth and really valued the memories we captured.”
By making these tools available, MyKidReports allows childcare centers to foster a sense of pride and belonging that benefits everyone involved.
Step 4: Hosting a Throwback Thursday Event
To wrap up the month, consider hosting a special “Throwback Thursday” event where you can showcase all of the children’s growth stories. This can be a small in-class celebration where each child’s journey is shared, or even a virtual event where parents can join in to see and celebrate each child’s progress.
Encourage parents to share their own “then and now” stories of their child, perhaps from home or past vacations. Sharing these moments as a group can foster an even deeper community feeling.
Frequently Asked Question's
1. How do I get parent permission for sharing “then and now” images?
To ensure parents are comfortable, it’s best to ask for permission through a simple consent form. MyKidReports can help you track and manage parental consent forms, ensuring that privacy standards are met.
2. Does MyKidReports offer secure storage for these photos?
Yes, MyKidReports has a secure, permission-based photo storage feature that allows only authorized users to access photos. This way, you can share memories safely with parents.
3. How can I make “then and now” activities accessible for different age groups?
For younger children, consider using simpler visuals, such as drawings of their handprints or height charts. Older children can participate by writing about their favorite memories or achievements.
4. What if I want to do this every year?
That’s a great idea! MyKidReports allows you to create ongoing digital portfolios, so each child’s memories are preserved year after year. This creates a valuable history for families to look back on.
5. How does sharing these growth milestones impact parent engagement?
Sharing milestones through MyKidReports fosters a strong parent-teacher relationship. Parents feel more connected to the daily life of the classroom and become more invested in their child’s early learning journey.
