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Through play, preschoolers learn and develop countless important skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives. Just to name a few, the simple act of story time can help advance preschoolers’ pre-reading skills; playing with water and soap can stimulate science learning; building with blocks can help children learn basic geometry, and the list goes on. As you include all of these things and more into your curriculum, here are three ways to incorporate play into math and literacy…

Your outdoor play area should be considered your outdoor classroom. Children will spend hours playing outdoors developing physical creativity, problem-solving, and social skills. The first consideration for the outdoor play area is SAFETY. Conduct monthly safety inspections of all outdoor play areas. A well-planned outdoor area is not only a stimulating  and fun place to play; it is also an added value to your program. The location of your playground should be approved first by zoning. Consider the most visible…

Years ago, in my classroom of 4 year olds, little Stephanie walked up to me amid the hustle and bustle of children engaged around the room and said, “I’m boring.” Besides the obvious misuse of the word and my temptation to laugh, I recognized that Stephanie was asking for help. We talked a bit about what kinds of things she might do. We looked around the room to see what other children were doing. I made suggestions. She shrugged her…

By three to four years of age the number of referrals for difficult behavior rises (Weiss & Hechtman, 1987). This is most likely because of society's expectations for this age child, which rise and exceed the ability of a difficult child to conform to the expected norm. It is also the time when the mother encounters community rejection of her child's behavior-e.g., in the neighborhood, play group, or preschool. Certainly the widespread publicity about children with behavioral difficulties in the…

Do holiday celebrations cause a lot of disagreements in your center or school? The role of holiday celebrations in the classroom is a common debate in the education field. Everyone has a few holidays they love to celebrate, but it's important to remember that not everyone celebrates the same holidays and that many people celebrate holidays differently. In The Welcoming Classroom, Johnna Darragh Ernst, PhD, points out that several questions arise if you look at holiday celebrations through the lens of…

Nap time is one of those daily rituals that can end up being stressful rather than relaxing—for children and for teachers. Instead, preschool staff might start by using the transition to nap time as an opportunity to help children take a break from the day’s activities.Read More Here

Understanding the concept of time is still very much a challenge for preschoolers.  So getting the children to understand the term “resolution” then dictate a “new year resolution” is an even bigger challenge…Read More Here

Traditionally, we have thought of motor development as coming with maturation and that one skill leads naturally to the next as the child grows. But actually, motor development is a constant learning process. A child’s body is continuously growing and changing, and his environment offers different opportunities for movement. Each new movement involves the child making adjustments in balance and posture. Gibson (2000) describes the process of motor development as the child finding the best possible solutions to the problems…

As young children are developing and learning more about the world around them, it is completely normal for them to tell untruths. During a time where their reality is blurred with fantasy, you may notice some of the things they say are not always honest.  Here are some ideas for what you can do as a preschool teacher to teach children about honesty.  1. Model Truth Just as you may sense when your students are lying, they can also sense…

What gift will you give to the children in your care this year? “We all want what is best for each child,” writes Dr. Ruth Wilson. “We want to give them what will make them grow and thrive. We generously give of our time and our attention. We wipe their tears and listen to their stories. These are all beautiful gifts that can’t be wrapped with paper and ribbon.”Read More Here