Latest Blog & News
How can my classroom be ready for an emergency?
05/05/2026Every child care classroom needs a clear plan so adults can keep kids safe when something unexpected happens. This short guide helps directors and providers build a plan, practice it, talk to families, and keep supplies ready. Use the ideas below with your program rules — state requirements ... How can my classroom be ready for an emergency?
Childhood Nutrition
11/22/2022MyPlate is a nutritional food guide developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that helps caregivers and early childhood programs plan balanced meals for children. This article explains how to interpret MyPlate for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers and offers practical strategies progr... Childhood Nutrition
Developmental Progression
02/16/2023Supporting children's learning of number and operations, geometry, patterns, measurement, and data analysis is easier when educators use a clear developmental progression to plan learning experiences. Early math learning is observable and scaffoldable; this article explains how to identify progressi... Developmental Progression
National Puzzle Day
02/03/2023National Puzzle Day National Puzzle Day invites early childhood practitioners to use structured and playful problem-solving to build cognitive skills, language, and early math. Try integrating short puzzle routines into daily transitions or choice time. Two ChildCareEd courses that pair well with p... National Puzzle Day
What Can Child Care Providers Learn from Children's Favorite Games?
07/22/2026What if the games children choose for fun could map directly to the skills you need to teach? Observing favorite #games gives child care teams a practical roadmap for building language, self-regulation, spatial thinking, and social skills—without creating new lessons. If you want a focused nex... What Can Child Care Providers Learn from Children's Favorite Games?
Air Quality and Child Care in Maryland: Outdoor Play Safety Tips
05/21/2026Your #Maryland center's #airquality affects your #children during #outdoorplay. Keep #safety as your goal by checking the air, planning, and talking with families. State requirements vary - check your state licensing agency. Cleaner air keeps children breathing easy and prevents asthma attacks, tir... Air Quality and Child Care in Maryland: Outdoor Play Safety Tips
How can Washington providers keep children safe and learning when wildfire smoke forces us indoors?
06/24/2026Wildfire #smokedays can arrive fast. As a Washington child care leader, you want clear steps to protect little lungs, keep kids calm, and keep learning going. This short guide provides simple, numbered steps you can use today. Use the Air Quality Index (AQI), pick one clear cutoff for your program, ... How can Washington providers keep children safe and learning when wildfire smoke forces us indoors?
How to Teach Feelings with an Emotion Sorting Activity
06/25/2026Emotion-sorting activities are simple games that help children notice feelings, name them, and try calm strategies. These hands-on tasks support early #emotions, help #preschoolers build words for feelings, strengthen #SEL skills, teach #sorting as a learning habit, and teach ways to be #calm when f... How to Teach Feelings with an Emotion Sorting Activity
How can we create a calm classroom that helps children learn?
05/15/2026A calm #classroom helps kids feel safe, pay attention, and try new things. This article gives simple steps child care providers and directors can use right away. You will find easy room ideas, routines, teaching tips, and quick checklists. Why it matters: calm rooms help lower #stress for adults a... How can we create a calm classroom that helps children learn?
What school-age group activities work best in daycare centers?
07/03/2026Working with older children is fun but also busy. This guide helps directors and providers plan safe, simple, and joyful #schoolage #activities that keep kids learning and smiling. You will find easy station ideas, schedule tips, adaptation tricks, family invites, and quick ways to track success. Wh... What school-age group activities work best in daycare centers?
