Those few steps from the play area to the sink or from the classroom to the playground can build language, curiosity, movement, and connection. During arrival, use the Morning Arrival Routine Cards to help children identify their next destination and talk about what comes next as you move together. ... How Can the Walk Between Activities Become a Learning Moment?
A rule can seem reasonable to adults and still ask more of a preschooler’s developing attention, memory, language, or impulse control than they can manage in the moment. Treating the expectation as a skill to teach helps educators adjust routines and provide the support children need. Use the ... When a Preschool Rule Expects More Self-Control Than Children Can Manage, What Should Educators Do?
A child may love story time and still be unsure where the words begin—or which way to follow them. Try sharing Emergent Readers – Shapes and inviting children to show where you should start reading, then model following the words as you read together. These small exchanges can help you n... Does a Child Understand Where Reading Starts on the Page?
When an infant cannot yet tell you about the day, a thoughtful report helps families feel connected—and gives educators valuable insight in return. Use the Infant Daily Report: Feeding, Diaper & Nap Tracker to share daily care updates, then invite families to describe changes at home, ask ... How Can Daily Infant Reports Become a Two-Way Conversation?
When a child calls a peer’s feelings “silly,” a calm response such as “You might feel differently, but their feelings matter too” can acknowledge the hurt and model respect. Later, use the Emotion Sorting Activity: Hard Feelings vs. Happy Feelings to discuss how emotion... What Should You Say When a Child Calls Another Child’s Feelings Silly?
A calm corner becomes more accessible when children can understand their options and communicate a choice in ways that work for them. Introduce the Calm Down Choice Board during a relaxed moment, model how to select an option, and welcome gestures, pointing, speech, or the child’s usual commun... How Can You Make a Calm Corner Accessible to Children Who Communicate Differently?
When the same child is repeatedly left out of after-school activities, staff need to look closely at when it happens, who is involved, and how the child experiences it. With older school-age children, use the respectful-language expectation on the 5th Grade Classr... When Does Exclusion in an After-School Group Become a Pattern?
An “All-About-Me” activity should give children room to share who they are, including experiences that do not fit a printed question. When using the All About Me: First Day of School Worksheet, invite children to skip or rephrase a prompt, draw their response, or dictate something they w... When an All-About-Me Question Leaves a Child Out, What Should Providers Do?
A child’s favorite corner, toy, or pretend scenario can offer clues about how they explore ideas, communicate, and connect with others. Use Make Parent Communication Easy: All About My Preschooler to gather family insights about favorite toys and activities, then compare those details with wha... What Can Preschool Teachers Learn from a Child’s Play Preferences?
When a child says “moon” begins with /b/, their answer gives you a reason to look more closely at how they understood the task. With the Task Cards – Beginning Sounds, start by asking the child to name the picture, then listen together for the fi... What Can a Wrong Beginning-Sound Answer Tell a Preschool Teacher?