McCormick Institute for Early Childhood

BY Kimberlee Hendricks | June 11, 2025

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A few weeks ago, on a cold Chicago evening in January, my niece arrived at our front door as she often does, semi-unannounced, but radiating a joyful presence that causes you to forget the shoes cluttering the foyer and the toddler toys every three to four feet.


She arrived as usual with a gift in hand, a testament to her generous personality and old soul. With a quick hug, she placed a flower pot filled with beautiful yellow tulips in my hands, along with a card, and said, “Read this later, Aunty Kim.”


Hours later when the kids were tucked away, I picked up the bright sky-blue envelope. Inside, I found a beautifully hand-written message along with a lesson about tulips. The line that stood out most to me was that tulips grow best in winter. As a self-proclaimed “nature girl,” this line set me on a quest to more deeply explore gardening, an activity that I have always found fascinating. As a former kindergarten teacher, Froebel-influenced educator, and advocate for the “children’s garden,” this deeply resonated with me and so the journey began.


The idea of a tulip, something so delicate, growing in winter stuck with me and reminded me how many beautiful things in the world are born and nurtured in dark, cold conditions—circumstances that, to the naked eye, might be perceived as hopeless. Yet beautiful things can emerge out of the soil of life, and while tulips typically flourish and bloom in spring, the most critical growth happens in winter.


Chicago’s dark, cold winters and blustery winds off Lake Michigan can overshadow memories of flowers in bloom, but gardening, as I have learned, is much more about the process than the product, a relatable concept for early educators. At its core, the gardening process includes cultivating, planting, nurturing, and harvesting. My exploration into gardening became a reflective metaphor for the state of our “world garden” today and the transitions that I believe are calling our true values and beliefs to the surface.


Amid this exploration, I found myself reflecting deeply on how the principles of gardening could be applied to the current challenges impacting our profession.


During these times of challenge and change, it might seem trite to talk about gardens and flowers, but I challenge each of you to simply use the gardening metaphor as a landscape for our collective work as early childhood professionals and institutional leaders.


The principles of gardening are like many things, an “art,” but gardening is also a science. It is easy to focus on the beautiful blooms and foliage that appear above ground, but what lies beneath the surface is what matters.


The scientific element of gardening is about planning and cultivating the deep dark soil where the seeds will be planted. Make no mistake, a wise gardener knows that gardens are full of surprises and that not every seed will thrive or survive, but there are lessons to be learned in both successes and failures in gardening.


Our theme for the Leadership Connections 2025 conference is “Leadership in Bloom.” While the theme is a nod to our past and the visionary leadership of our founder, Dr. Paula Jorde Bloom, it is also an aspirational look toward the future and what it can be. It is also an acknowledgment of the seasons and circles of life.


Audrey Hepburn said, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” As leaders in communities and institutions of higher education and early learning, I challenge you to consider what you want to cultivate as you mentor future leaders, nurture learning communities, strategically advocate, and honor every voice within reach of our care.


I also challenge you to examine your soil. Check the condition, provide extra nutrients if necessary, and be willing to break up the fallow ground. Once the soil is ready, consider intentionally planting seeds of hope, knowledge, collaboration, and kindness. 


Remember, not all plants need the same thing, so be mindful of what’s in your garden and be careful not to give too much or too little water or sunlight.


I believe it is important to be generationally minded and think about those who will follow us and that is why I am so inspired by the African proverb that says, “We must be willing to plant gardens from which we may never eat.” Even the possibility that someone might be encouraged or empowered because of my contributions makes it worth the effort and sacrifice.


As I close, I want to share this inspiring quote from Dr. Maya Angelou, “As I gaze at my garden and regard the varying colors the Creator has made for us, red, yellow, blue, white, pink, purple, etc..., I also think of the many colors the Creator has made of us, black, beige, brown, red, yellow and white—and all of us are beautiful.”


By the time this article is published, it will be Spring and I hope that like the tulips, we have grown through winter and that we all recognize the beauty in the garden.

© 2025 Dimensions Educational Research Foundation. All rights reserved. Exchange Press is an initiative of Dimensions Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Learn more at exchangepress.com.


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Building Community Partnerships for Lasting Impact

By Cara Murdoch and Sherry Rocha • December 12, 2025
By Cara Murdoch and Sherry Rocha Community collaborations can strengthen your early childhood program, expand services for families, and increase your visibility and credibility as a trusted resource in the community. But effective partnerships don’t begin with a phone call—they start with a plan. Start with internal planning Before reaching out to community members or organizations, gather insights from your internal team. Hold a brief planning meeting to discuss goals, identify needs, and build a shared vision for collaboration. Consider including: Members of your board of directors or advisory board Program staff members Interested family members and parents of enrolled children. REVISIT your mission and goals A clear, shared understanding of your program’s purpose will guide effective partnerships: Before reaching out to community members or organizations, gather insights from your internal team. Hold a brief planning meeting to discuss goals, identify needs, and build a shared vision for collaboration. Consider including: What is your mission? What strengths and expertise do we bring to the community? What challenges do our enrolled families face? What support or resources would be most helpful? What can we offer potential partners in return? Clarity about these questions will ensure that your outreach to community members and organizations is focused and meaningful. Learn about local resources Begin exploring the services and organizations that exist in your community. These may become valuable referral partners or direct collaborators. Examples include: Early intervention services Family support agencies Mental health providers Multilingual tax-preparation volunteers Knowing these resources helps you connect families with the help they need. share your space and services Your early childhood center may be a valuable asset for other groups. Consider offering your space to other programs or groups to strengthen your role as a community hub. Possibilities include: Scouting America or Girl Scout meetings Parenting workshops or support groups Health screenings or nutrition programs Community committee meetings participate in community events Raising visibility in your community opens doors to partnership. Become involved in: Neighborhood clean-up days Local fairs or festivals Library literacy events Cultural celebrations School district events These types of interactions naturally build trust and relationships. build and expand your network Partnerships often begin with small conversations or shared goals. Stay curious and connected—the more people you meet, the more opportunities arise. Potential collaborators include: Museums Public libraries Human services departments Colleges and universities Local schools Cooperative Extension services Hospitals and clinics Banks and financial advisors Mental health agencies Early intervention programs Remember: partnerships are mutually beneficial Successful collaborations are built on: Clear communication Shared goals Appreciation for each other’s strengths A commitment to supporting families and the community Whether the support you receive is financial, advisory, or educational, strong partnerships help everyone thrive. A final thought Community partnerships don’t happen overnight. With the proper planning, your early childhood program can become a powerful and connected resource in your neighborhood. Start small, stay open to ideas, and let relationships grow.
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