Jeff A. Johnson

After 16 years directing a child care center and community center for a large non-profit agency, Jeff A. Johnson opened Explorations Early Learning, a family child care program, in 2003 with his wife, Tasha. Their program focuses on emergent learning in a play-based and child centered environment.

According to Jeff, "The best thing about our program is the great kids we get to work with each day. Our days are spent with laughs, conversation, play, exploration, discoveries, and fun. We enjoy creating an environment conducive to 'light bulb moments'--those moments where kids grasp new ideas. It is wonderful to get to see them rediscover the world."

Jeff travels around the country presenting keynotes and workshops at over 30 events a year on two main themes: caregiver self care and child centered early learning.

Jeff is the author of the Redleaf Press books Do-It-Yourself Early Learning, Finding Your Smile Again, Everyday Early Learning, and Babies in the Rain as well as The Child Care Alphabet Book of Early Learning and The Child Care Alphabet Book of Manipulatives, published by Explorations Early Learning LLC.

Jeff also publishes a monthly electronic newsletter distributed to early care and education professionals in all 50 states and a number of other counties, writes a blog devoted to helping caregivers remember to care for themselves, and offers other support for caregivers on his website. For more information, you can visit his website at www.explorationsearlylearning.com or email him at explorations@cableone.net .