Resources

There are countless methods and approaches to teaching, but it is clear that children learn best when engaged in authentic and relevant activities. Two well-known approaches, project-based learning and STEM-based learning, hold to the common philosophy that true education inspires and motivates children to be lifelong learners. The Project Approach offers children open-ended experiences as the basis of the curriculum. STEM programs focus on expanding a child’s knowledge and interest in the science and math domains. What happens when these…

As the weather begins to warm up, there’s no better time to bring your students out in the sunshine. In fact, according to a study published in the June 2015 Pediatrics, outdoor activities are important for preschooler’s healthy growth and development.  Here are five activities you can do with your preschool class outside this spring. 1. ReadingTeaching your students how to read doesn’t need to be confined to the classroom. Find a shaded spot and gather your students together for…

How children feel about themselves, their self-worth, is one of our greatest responsibilities and one of our biggest challenges. People who have a positive sense of self feel they have something worthwhile to contribute and a sense of internal worth. They are able to venture out into the world, work toward attaining their goals and welcome life with anticipation and pleasure. This self-concept develops very early in life. From the very beginning, a baby learns from how people respond to…

More and more teachers are learning that much of the curriculum learned indoors can be expanded through outdoor play. Art, language, science, math, and more can all be taught outdoors. Look at your own curriculum and think of innovative ways to use the natural environment as an instrument for teaching young children. The following ideas will help you create an outdoor classroom full of learning possibilities.Read More: Early Childhood News 

Have you ever sent home a note to a parent requesting extra clothing or supplies for her child's cubby? The next day, when the child arrives without the supplies you requested, you were probably thinking: Did the parent read my note or did she simply forget? Sending a note home can sometimes be an ineffective way to communicate with parents. Here are 10 proven ways to communicate with parents in your center -- they're sure to work every time!Read more: Early Childhood…

A top priority for early childhood educators is to teach children to read. Using developmentally appropriate practices (DAP) while incorporating foundational concepts into lessons help teachers differentiate instruction, engage students in the learning process, and increase achievement of all children. While students are treated as unique individuals, all practices should be appropriate to the child's age and developmental stage and build on previously taught concepts. The purpose of this article is to explore teachers' experiences as they implement DAP into…

Several research studies have supported a notion that many teachers have had for a long time: that children who have been read to at home come to school with important early literacy skills. They are prepared to learn to read and write. Children who have not had many experiences listening to books read aloud or talking about books typically start school with poor early literacy skills. These children often fall behind early in reading and writing and stay behind.Read More:…

Print awareness is a child's earliest understanding that written language carries meaning. The foundation of all other literacy learning builds upon this knowledge. The following are guidelines for teachers in how to promote print awareness and a sample activity for assessing print awareness in young children.Read more: Reading Rockets

As a preschool educator, you surely delight in your young students’ zest for learning. From the outside, it might seem like your job is all about fun and games, but parents of young children know (and appreciate) how you influence and model positive behaviors, shape instruction, cultivate optimism and positive attitudes about school and learning, boost self-esteem, and provide the foundation for their future in school and in the community.Read more: Get Ready to Read

Effective preschool classrooms are places where children feel well cared for and safe. They are places where children are valued as individuals and where their needs for attention, approval, and affection are supported. They are also places where children can be helped to acquire a strong foundation in the knowledge and skills needed for school success.Read more: US Department of Education