Latest Blog & News
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?
Building Excitement: Back-to-School Traditions for Little Learners
08/08/2024Building Excitement: Back-to-School Traditions for Little Learners The transition back to school can be especially challenging for young children, who may be experiencing the classroom setting for the first time or returning after a long summer break. Establishing meaningful traditions can ... Building Excitement: Back-to-School Traditions for Little Learners
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
Winter Wonders: Incorporating Seasonal Science in Preschool Curriculum
12/17/2024The winter months not only invite curiosity about the physical properties of snow and ice but also encourage discussions about the adaptations of wildlife in colder climates. By weaving these captivating themes into the #preschool curriculum, #educators can inspire a sense of wonder and foster a lov... Winter Wonders: Incorporating Seasonal Science in Preschool Curriculum
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
