Fall learning does not need red leaves or chilly mornings to feel real—it starts with helping children notice what is changing where they live. Explore practical ways to build a place-based seasonal investigation, and consider Basic Science in Early Childhood to strengthen your skills in plann... How Can Warm-Climate Child Care Programs Make Fall a Season of Discovery?
A lively pumpkin market can bring the excitement of a fall outing into your preschool classroom—and give children real reasons to talk, count, write, and cooperate. The Lesson Planning for Preschoolers course can help you connect playful ideas to developmentally appropriate goals, while the Fa... How Can You Build a Preschool Pumpkin Market Without a Field Trip?
A child’s “mine!” over a treasured autumn leaf can feel like a tiny storm in the middle of outdoor play—but it can also become a meaningful lesson in communication, choice, and cooperation. Build a supportive approach with Viewing Guidance in a Positive Light, a three-hour on... When Leaves Become “Mine”: How Can We Teach Sharing During Fall Nature Play?
Create Calmer, More Organized Classrooms For child care providers in Washington, DC, creating a calm, organized classroom is about more than keeping children on schedule. Predictable routines, positive guidance, and meaningful transitions help young learners feel secure, develop independence, and b... How Can District of Columbia Child Care Providers Create Calmer, More Organized Classrooms?
A child can know how to count, zip a coat, or name a shape and still decline to show it when asked. Rather than turning the moment into a test or a power struggle, use observation and flexible teaching to understand what is getting in the way. The Preschool Assessments & Observations course offe... What Should Teachers Do When a Child Understands a Skill but Refuses to Demonstrate It?
When children see only one “right” way to use a block, paintbrush, or cardboard box, valuable opportunities for exploration can disappear. With intentional materials and responsive teaching, you can help children imagine possibilities, test ideas, and build confidence; The Best Promotion... How Can Teachers Encourage Children to Use Materials Creatively Instead of Only One Way?
Waiting for a favorite toy or a teacher’s attention can feel like a very long time to a young child—and it can test the patience of the whole classroom. With practical routines and compassionate coaching, you can help children build the skills to wait and recover from frustration; From T... How Can Teachers Help Children Stay Calm When They Have to Wait for a Turn?
A child reaches for the teacher when a block tower wobbles or a container will not open—but those small pauses can become practice in thinking, persistence, and self-advocacy. The three-hour online Supporting Children’s Independence course offers strategies for fostering self-regulation ... How Can Preschool Teachers Encourage Children to Solve Small Problems Before Asking an Adult?
“When is it time to go outside?” and “What happens after lunch?” are invitations to help children make sense of their day. A few predictable routines, thoughtful words, and accessible visuals can turn time from an abstract idea into something children experience and anticipat... How Can Simple Daily Practices Help Young Children Understand Time and Sequence?
A play plan can change in a moment: the bakery becomes a spaceship, or the rules of a chase game suddenly shift. When a child feels frustrated, You’re Not My Friend Anymore: Learning Conflict Resolution offers focused professional learning on developmentally appropriate ways to guide peer disa... How Can Teachers Support Children Who Become Frustrated When a Friend Changes the Game?