Meet Judith Lavender

 

Everyday Play!

 

As a child I loved to play, and playful interaction continued into my adult life. After earning an M.Ed. from Erikson Institute in Chicago, Illinois, I founded Tic Tac Grow to promote playing and reading activities for preschool-aged children, to tutor school-aged children in reading and writing, and to facilitate small parent groups focused on early childhood development. As Tic Tac Grow grew, teachers also requested ideas for their classrooms.

 

Tic Tac Grow adapted and changed and became a resource website for parents, grandparents, teachers, and caregivers. With the children I taught now becoming parents themselves, Tic Tac Grow expanded to include cheery Tic Tac Grow PlayWear. Using my imagination and combining it with life-long interest in fabric and design, bright fabrics designed just for Tic Tac Grow emerged.

 

In conjunction with the special collection of PlayWear, I continue to offer consulting services and blogging. In March 2015 the new Early Childhood and Family Center at University of New Mexico-Gallup opened to care and educate infants to four-year olds. The concept, design, and strategy for this comprehensive model center  inspired by Reggio Emilia approach to learning came from my imagination. Professional growth for teachers remains a priority for me with co-learning and reflection semi-monthly with the staff in Gallup, New Mexico.