Latest Blog & News
How Can Child Care Providers Use Positive Discipline to Teach, Connect, and Guide Young Children?
08/31/2026When challenging behavior disrupts the day, positive discipline helps you protect safety while teaching children the skills they are still developing. Explore the Solutions NOT Punishments course to deepen your understanding of prevention, respectful guidance, and classroom-ready strategies while ea... How Can Child Care Providers Use Positive Discipline to Teach, Connect, and Guide Young Children?
Time-In or Time-Out? 7 Real Classroom Scenarios and What to Try
08/19/2026When a child is hitting, melting down, or refusing to join the group, the right response depends on more than stopping the behavior—it depends on what the child needs to learn next. This guide offers seven practical scenarios and connects them to Staying Positive: Guidance for Preschoolers, a ... Time-In or Time-Out? 7 Real Classroom Scenarios and What to Try
Space Exploration Day Activities
09/22/2022What Is Space Exploration Day? Space Exploration Day is observed on July 20, the anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing in 1969. It is also known as National Moon Day. For educators, this observance offers a meaningful context for connecting a milestone in space history with children&rs... Space Exploration Day Activities
Daycare Lesson Plans for Toddlers: Easy Activities for Every Day
08/10/2026Planning for toddlers does not require elaborate themes or hours of preparation; it requires a clear purpose, flexible routines, and responsive observation. Use the ideas below to create manageable daily experiences, and consider Meaningful Lesson Planning for Infants/Toddlers to strengthen your pla... Daycare Lesson Plans for Toddlers: Easy Activities for Every Day
Moon Day/Space Exploration Day
09/22/2022Celebrate International Moon Day with educator-tested STEM and craft experiences that combine history, inquiry and process art to engage young children. Below are practical activity ideas, learning goals, and classroom adaptations for indoor or heat-restricted outdoor settings. For course-based supp... Moon Day/Space Exploration Day
Transportation Safety
02/27/2023Caregivers should teach children appropriate school bus safety rules before they ride. Practice these routines so children understand what to expect. For broader guidance on transportation planning, educators can explore ChildCareEd’s Transportation Safety course and Appropriate Precautions in... Transportation Safety
Paper Mache Activities
12/23/2022Paper mache can transform recycled paper into an open-ended art experience for young children. With close supervision and a developmentally appropriate setup, educators can invite children to investigate texture, form, and color. For ideas about supporting creative learning, explore ChildCareEd&rsqu... Paper Mache Activities
How Can Loose Parts Play Turn Everyday Objects Into Powerful Learning Opportunities?
09/02/2026What if the materials children reach for most are already in your recycling bin, nature basket, or supply closet? Loose parts play turns ordinary objects into opportunities for imagination, problem-solving, language, collaboration, and motor development. To deepen your classroom practice, explore Be... How Can Loose Parts Play Turn Everyday Objects Into Powerful Learning Opportunities?
Snip, Stick, Celebrate! What Easy Labor Day Crafts Can Toddlers Make?
08/19/2026Need a joyful Labor Day activity that is simple enough for toddlers and meaningful enough for your program? These low-prep crafts build fine-motor coordination, language, gratitude, and community awareness without demanding perfection; for deeper guidance on planning age-appropriate experiences, exp... Snip, Stick, Celebrate! What Easy Labor Day Crafts Can Toddlers Make?
What School-Age Activities Create Engaging, Inclusive, and Well-Managed Programs?
08/31/2026School-age children need more than activities that simply fill the afternoon—they need meaningful opportunities to move, create, collaborate, rest, and make decisions. To strengthen your planning skills, explore Lesson Planning to Meet School Age Needs, which can help you design differentiated... What School-Age Activities Create Engaging, Inclusive, and Well-Managed Programs?
