Latest Blog & News in English
Today Is Earth Day!
09/23/2022Today Is Earth Day! Intro — Earth Day is an annual opportunity for child care programs to model community stewardship, deepen environmental literacy, and connect outdoor learning to curriculum goals. If you are looking for on-the-ground activities and practical classroom ties, start with two ... Today Is Earth Day!
International Day of Families
05/16/2023International Day of Families highlights the role families play in children's development. Quality family time supports emotional regulation, social skills, and mental health across the lifespan. Early relationships lay the foundation for later learning, peer relationships, and adaptive coping; care... International Day of Families
How can directors build practical leadership skills for school-age programs?
07/16/2026Running a high-quality school-age program requires more than planning engaging activities—it requires intentional leadership that supports staff, protects children, strengthens family trust, and drives consistent improvement. This guide gives child care directors and providers practical strate... How can directors build practical leadership skills for school-age programs?
Learn to Use Open Ended Questions to Find Out About Your Child's Day
07/14/2008It is very easy to ask questions that invite a one-word answer, but professionals and parents who want richer information about a child’s feelings and learning must choose prompts that invite description and reflection. This seminar-style session pairs discussion with role-modeling and include... Learn to Use Open Ended Questions to Find Out About Your Child's Day
Kite Activiites for Spring
04/28/2023Spring offers reliable wind, open space, and an opportunity to design an outdoor learning experience that blends physical play, emergent science, and family engagement. Below are tested approaches child care professionals can use to plan kite activities that support gross motor development, cooperat... Kite Activiites for Spring
How can we create screen-free activities that truly engage older children?
07/16/2026Creating engaging screen-free experiences for older children means offering the independence, challenge, choice, and social connection they increasingly need. This article gives child care directors and providers practical, low-preparation strategies for planning hands-on projects, movement challeng... How can we create screen-free activities that truly engage older children?
❄️ What Outdoor Activities Work Well for Illinois Kids in Every Season? 🌷🍂
11/26/2025Outdoor #play is a vital component of #early-childhood #development, promoting #gross-motor-skills, #sensory integration, and cognitive #growth. For children in Illinois, embracing #outdoor activities year-round is essential, despite the state's extreme #weather shifts—from hot, humid #summers... ❄️ What Outdoor Activities Work Well for Illinois Kids in Every Season? 🌷🍂
Science in Classroom
04/17/2023Teach your little ones about the power of soap with this easy science activity. This simple demonstration supports early scientific thinking — prediction, observation, and cause-and-effect — and gives children concrete evidence that invisible forces (surface tension, hydrophobic ... Science in Classroom
Children with Special Needs
07/13/2023Child care professionals who serve children with special needs and who seek evidence-informed accommodations and instructional modifications will find that ChildCareEd offers targeted professional development for educators, including Special Needs: From Referral to Inclusion and Supporting Skill Dev... Children with Special Needs
How Can We Encourage Good Behavior in the Classroom?
06/04/2026Good behavior helps every child learn and feel safe. This article gives easy, practical ideas for child care providers and directors. You will find steps you can try tomorrow, quick lists to share with staff, and links to helpful resources. We use simple words so everyone can use these ideas right... How Can We Encourage Good Behavior in the Classroom?
