Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a federal holiday celebrated annually on the third Monday of January. In 2021, the holiday falls on January 20. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day to remember one of the leading voices of racial justice and equality. It is a day “on”, not a day “off”. A Baptist minister and…
The whirlwind 2020 can finally be put in the rearview window. Here are some healthy habit-forming New Year’s resolutions for children and parents to start in 2021. New Year’s resolutions are not only for adults. Resolutions are a great example of goal setting that can help children develop healthy habits now that will serve them…
When it comes to classroom management, some things are easier said than done. And you’ve probably heard many opinions on discipline about what “you should be doing.” But as an early childhood professional, you know that positive behaviors start with positive environments, classroom preparedness and good techniques. Caring for the littlest learners is one…
Benefits & Supports in Preschool and Pre-K Imagine two children wrestling. Each child is trying to stay upright and to destabilize the other by using their hands to grab the other person’s waist or ankles. Is your first instinct to separate them? What if we told you that those kids were playfully engaging in…
“It is a happy talent to know how to play.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson For little learners, play is part of their everyday world. It helps them learn. And as a grown-up in their lives, joining in their play is a big part of that process! Much like when a child takes a tumble…
What you need to know about the new Early Learning Foundations Guidance documents. By now, you probably know Indiana’s Early Learning Foundations by heart. You know how to identify when a little learner is on their way to great communication skills, when reading is just around the corner and when numeracy skills are developing right…
“One of the most highly effective preventative measures a mother can take to protect the health of her infant and herself is to breastfeed.” — The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding, 2011 As early childhood education professionals, we play an important role with families and their children. And as new…
Families Are Children’s First Teachers. From day one, children learn from their families: what they do and how they interact with their them. A young child will learn from their family how to have conversations, make eye contact, play and so much more. Families also learn a lot from their little ones: as they…
What new research says about children and screen time. Do a Google search for kids and screen time, and you will find headlines that say everything from “screens are toxic for kids” to “kids can watch Winnie the Pooh all day if they want to.” Most recently, a new study claims there is no…
Add Some True Stories & Fun Facts to storyTime Storytime is a great time for classroom bonding and fun. At bedtime, before naps, during wake-up… books help create calm, connected routines. Books also give us great chances to help little ones learn. A lot of the time, our choices may involve silly characters or…