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Jan, a teacher in a toddler classroom, takes out two baskets of blocks and brings them to the middle of the room. The children love to build, and within seconds there are eight toddlers surrounding Jan and the blocks-all shoulder to shoulder. After only a minute or so, one child grabs another's blocks. While the teacher encourages this pair to "be gentle," a similar battle breaks out between two other children. Adding to the ensuing chaos, a toddler who has…

I think most people would agree that reading can "open a world of possible" for every child. As teachers we are certainly aware of how critical are reading skills to the success of our children in school and throughout their lives. We also know that to create a reader, it "takes a village."Read More: Scholastic 

Do you ever look at the children in your care and wonder what the future holds for them? Do you think that one will have a good life, while worrying that another will have problems? Do you wonder if you are making a difference in their lives?Read More: Early Childhood News 

Early childhood experts believe that when a child creates a piece of art, he is boosting his ability to analyze and problem-solve. But that’s not all! Creating art has countless benefits for young children including helping them develop mentally, socially, and emotionally. As a preschool teacher, here’s how you can help bring out your student’s creativity: 1. Incorporate Creativity into All Areas of the CurriculumSparking creativity is as easy as allowing children to draw with crayons or using different voices…

The early care and education workforce is large, with more than 2 million center- and home-based teachers and caregivers directly working with children birth through 5 years old. Engaged early childhood professionals comprise large coalition that has the ability to mobilize in order to create positive change for the well-being of infants, toddlers, and their families.Read More: ZERO TO THREE

Children do wonderful and delightful things. They perform acts of bravery, kindness, honesty, and respectfulness. Yet these actions are often rewarded with generic "at-a-boys," "You’re great," "Wow, you did it!" or "You’re terrific." Acts of goodness deserve more than a casual pat on the back and should receive more attention than negative behaviors.Read More: Early Childhood News 

It’s a simple question, but when a teacher, taking the role of a zookeeper, poses it to a group of children, learning happens. The scenario opens the door to creativity and free play. It introduces the concepts of animal needs and animal habitats. It sparks exploration of STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics), setting young children up for a lifetime as learners, problem solvers, and artists. Read More: NAEYC 

Preschool teachers play a critical role in children’s development yet there is little agreement about how to codify teacher knowledge and skill. This brief argues that too much attention has been given to debating the baseline of qualifications required of preschool teachers (e.g., AA vs. BA), failing to take into account the precise nature of the education that teachers have received en route to their degrees, support for ongoing learning, and the effects of the workplace environment on their teaching…

Teachers often avoid cooking with young children because of the danger associated with hot appliances. But you can cook a wide variety of snacks and meals without using heat. We’ve included a few “cool” recipes in this article along with a list of benefits cooking offers to young children. So roll up your sleeves and get cooking!Read More: Early Childhood News 

Quality early childcare and education can make a tremendous impact on a child’s life. As teachers, it’s important to create an environment where children can reach their highest learning potential and grow to be strong thinking individuals. As you help prepare your students for kindergarten and beyond, here are 3 ways you can teach your students to love learning: Be a Supporter When you create a classroom tone that welcomes children’s ideas, you’re creating an environment where children can feel…