Running 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?
It 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
Spring 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
Creating 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?
Outdoor #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? 🌷🍂
Teach 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
Child 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
Good behavior helps every child learn and feel safe. This article gives easy, practical ideas for child care providers and directors. You will find steps you can try tomorrow, quick lists to share with staff, and links to helpful resources. We use simple words so everyone can use these ideas right... How Can We Encourage Good Behavior in the Classroom?
Child care providers and directors often ask: what is a Child Care Resource Center and can it really help my program? A Child Care Resource Center in #Virginia is a local place (sometimes a phone line or website) that gives practical help to #providers and #families. These centers share facts about ... Child Care Resource Center in Virginia: What Is It and How Can It Help?
Busy DC preschool rooms need simple, practical ideas that work right away. This short guide gives clear steps for directors and teachers who have little time but big hearts. You will find quick routines, room set-up tips, ways to guide behavior with respect, and steps to bring families and staff tog... How can DC early childhood educators use simple classroom management tips in busy preschool rooms?