Young children strengthen cognitive skills each time they work through a meaningful challenge—balancing a block tower, fitting puzzle pieces together, negotiating roles during dramatic play, predicting what will happen in a science activity, or determining how many plates are needed at snack. ... How can child care programs support cognitive development through problem-solving activities?
Transportation is one of the busiest times in a child care day. This article helps directors and providers plan safe rides, walks, and field trips. You will find simple steps for paperwork, riding rules, supervision, and children with health or special needs. Read these tips like a friendly checklis... How can child care programs keep children safe during transportation?
Every child care provider wants children to feel capable of trying new things, persisting through challenges, making appropriate choices, and solving problems with increasing independence. This article gives directors and providers practical, research-aligned strategies for building confidence and a... How can child care programs help children build confidence and independence?
Working with #picky #children at the table is one of the most common—and emotionally charged—challenges early childhood programs face. Child care providers can reduce mealtime battles by offering balanced choices, serving small portions, introducing unfamiliar foods repeatedly without pr... How can child care programs handle picky eaters without mealtime battles?
Building strong readers before kindergarten is both an art and a science. Young children develop early literacy through warm conversations, songs, rhymes, storytelling, shared reading, dramatic play, drawing, and frequent opportunities to notice and use print. This article gives child care providers... How can child care programs build strong readers before kindergarten?
Supporting young children’s emotional well-being is central to high-quality early care and education. When directors and providers build warm relationships, maintain predictable routines, respond sensitively to behavior, and partner closely with families, they create environments where childre... How Can Child Care Programs Best Support Young Children's Emotional Wellbeing?
Young children sometimes act out. That is normal. This article helps California #educators support #preschoolers who show tough behavior. You will find simple steps you can use in your classroom today. We link to helpful ChildCareEd resources and other guides so you can learn more. Remember: state r... How can California early childhood educators support preschoolers through behavior challenges?
Bringing bilingual songs and musical routines into early learning environments is more than an enjoyable classroom activity—it is a research-informed strategy that can strengthen language development, cognitive growth, motor coordination, cultural awareness, and family engagement. Through repe... How can bilingual music transform your early childhood classroom?
National Ice Cream Day is a fun chance to bring smiles, learning, and community to your #Alabama center. It can be simple to plan, low-cost, and full of learning when you use short stations, clear safety rules, and both food and non-food options. Why it matters: celebrating with a theme like ice c... How can Alabama child care providers celebrate National Ice Cream Day safely and with learning?
Home daycare centers provide an affordable, community-centered alternative to center-based options. This guide answers the practical steps to build an executable business plan and recruit families; begin with our Business Planning: Family Child Care and Marketing Your Family Child Care courses for t... Home Day Care Business Planning