Latest Blog & News
How Can You Observe Children Without Interrupting Their Play?
09/16/2026Children often reveal their deepest thinking when adults pause, watch, and resist the urge to take over. Learning to observe without interrupting protects children’s concentration while giving providers meaningful evidence for responsive planning; the Observing & Assessing in Child Care co... How Can You Observe Children Without Interrupting Their Play?
How Can Child Care Providers Support Children Who Always Want to Be First?
09/16/2026A child who always rushes to the front, grabs the first turn, or becomes distressed when someone else wins is not being “bad”—they are practicing patience, flexibility, and emotional regulation. This guide offers practical strategies for building those skills, and the ABCs of Behav... How Can Child Care Providers Support Children Who Always Want to Be First?
How Can Child Care Providers Teach Children to Join Play Without Grabbing or Interrupting?
09/16/2026When a child wants to join an exciting game, grabbing or interrupting may be an unsuccessful attempt to connect—not intentional misbehavior. Pair classroom coaching with the ready-to-use Can I Play? Social Scripts and Role-Play Cards, and consider Role of Play in Learning to deepen your unders... How Can Child Care Providers Teach Children to Join Play Without Grabbing or Interrupting?
How Can Everyday Classroom Problems Become Child-Led Investigations?
09/16/2026That fallen block tower, spilled water, or disagreement over materials can become more than a moment to manage—it can become a meaningful investigation led by children. Pair these strategies with Role of Play in Learning to deepen your understanding of how play supports problem-solving, collab... How Can Everyday Classroom Problems Become Child-Led Investigations?
What Can Providers Learn From the Toys Children Choose Repeatedly?
09/16/2026Repeated toy choices are more than preferences—they are invitations to understand children’s theories, strengths, relationships, and emerging skills. Use the Play Preference Observation Tracker to turn everyday choices into useful planning evidence, and strengthen your observation practi... What Can Providers Learn From the Toys Children Choose Repeatedly?
How Can Photos Help Children Remember Classroom Routines?
09/16/2026When “What comes next?” becomes a daily question, photographs can turn an abstract routine into a concrete, reassuring guide. Pairing real classroom images with an environment that nurtures growth and community helps providers design more inclusive spaces while strengthening classroom pr... How Can Photos Help Children Remember Classroom Routines?
How Can “First, Then” Language Reduce Power Struggles in Early Childhood Classrooms?
09/16/2026When a child resists cleanup, handwashing, or leaving a favorite activity, a brief “First, then” statement can replace negotiation with clarity and connection. Pairing this language with The ABCs of Behavior: Turning Challenges into Learning Opportunities can help providers understand wh... How Can “First, Then” Language Reduce Power Struggles in Early Childhood Classrooms?
What Is Co-Regulation and How Can Child Care Teachers Use It?
09/16/2026When a young child is overwhelmed, “calm down” is rarely a skill they can produce on command. Co-regulation gives child care teachers practical ways to provide safety, connection, and guidance while children develop independence; the Self-Regulation & Change: Helping Children Cope co... What Is Co-Regulation and How Can Child Care Teachers Use It?
How Can Child Care Providers Calm an Overstimulated Child in a Busy Classroom?
09/16/2026A busy classroom can quickly become overwhelming when noise, movement, light, and transitions exceed a child’s capacity to process them. Learning how to recognize early signs and respond with connection, environmental support, and practical regulation strategies can protect a child’s dig... How Can Child Care Providers Calm an Overstimulated Child in a Busy Classroom?
What Should You Do When a Preschooler Has a Meltdown in the Classroom?
09/16/2026A preschool meltdown can overwhelm the child, the teacher, and the entire group—but a calm, planned response can turn a crisis into a moment of safety and skill-building. The ChildCareEd course From Tantrums to Triumphs: Equipping Preschoolers with Self-Regulation Skills offers deeper guidance... What Should You Do When a Preschooler Has a Meltdown in the Classroom?
