play early childhood education courses

The Best Promotion is Play

Play is one of the most important activities for young children. Children learn through play, they are able to develop cognitive, language, physical, and social...

The Best Promotion is Play

0.3 CEUs

Unleash the power of play in your early childhood classroom! This course explores the critical role of play in child development. Learn to identify different ty...

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Play with Purpose: Supporting Children with Autism

0.6 CEUs

Play is one of the most powerful ways children with autism learn, communicate, and grow. This course helps child care providers understand how to use play-based...

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Role of Play in Learning

0.2 CEUs

This course satisfies the following area(s) of the CDA: Subject Area 8: Understanding the Principles of Child Development and Learning Dating back to the 1800s,...

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Early Mathematics Through Play

0.3 CEUs

Early Mathematics Through Play helps child care providers understand why early math experiences are essential to children’s problem-solving, reasoning, and sc...

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Play Safe, Think Big: Literacy Through Play

0.1 CEUs

Effective child care goes beyond keeping kids safe. This course equips you with the skills to supervise children effectively while nurturing their early literac...

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From Play to Planning: Building Culturally Competent, Child-Centered Curriculum

0.6 CEUs

High-quality early childhood education requires more than just a set of activities—it demands thoughtful integration of developmental standards, evidence-base...

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Montessori Cultural Activities: Exploring the World Through Play and Learning

0.3 CEUs

Cultural activities in the Montessori early childhood classroom provide young learners with a rich foundation in geography, history, science, art, music, and so...

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Play, Learn, Grow Online Version

0.2 CEUs

This "Play, Learn, Grow" course equips childcare professionals with the knowledge to nurture young minds. By exploring child development stages (1-5 years old),...

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Play, Learn, Grow

Providers must have the foundations of early childhood development in order to address the various needs of children at different ages and to plan individualize...

Balancing Physically Active Play in Child Care

Understanding how to create a balanced schedule of active, creative, and sedentary time is essential for fostering healthy development in children. This course ...

Theory of Learning

0.3 CEUs

Embark on a journey through the "Theory of Learning" in this enriching 3-hour online child care course. Beyond Piaget, Erikson, and Vygotsky, explore influentia...

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10 Hour Health and Safety Orientation Training

1 CEUs

Georgia child care providers play a vital role in ensuring the safety, health, and development of young children. This state-approved training equips caregivers...

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Leveling the Playing Field: ERSEA for Head Start

0.2 CEUs

Explore the core requirements of ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance) while fostering an inclusive, culturally responsive app...

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Playful Spaces for Infants & Toddlers

0.3 CEUs

In this training, child care providers will learn how to create stimulating environments that nurture young children's development through play. The course expl...

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Active Supervision: A Strategy That Works
  Starts 11/11/2026
Enrolling
Apple Orchard Communication Supports: Asking for Help and a Turn (Toddlers 18–36 Months)
 +5
PDF

Apple Orchard Communication Supports: Asking for Help and a Turn (Toddlers 18–36 Months)

Help little learners express their needs with these colorful Apple Orchard Communication Cards! 🍎 Featuring HELP, TURN, STOP, and ALL DONE visuals, reusable choice boards, cut-apart cards, and a... Read more
Infant/Toddler, Two's · Behavior, Curriculum, English, Language Arts · 13 pages
$1.99 Available for purchase
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Apple Orchard Partner Build-a-Scene Activity for Preschool
 +5
PDF

Apple Orchard Partner Build-a-Scene Activity for Preschool

Build, create, and work together with this fun Apple Orchard Partner Building Activity! 🍎 Featuring colorful cut-apart picture pieces, shared orchard mats, partner roles, and communication cards... Read more
Preschool, Three's · Art, Behavior, Curriculum, English · 13 pages
$1.99 Available for purchase
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Apple Orchard: Preschool Feelings and Emotion Scenario Cards
 +5
PDF

Apple Orchard: Preschool Feelings and Emotion Scenario Cards

Help preschoolers explore feelings with this engaging Apple Orchard Emotions Activity Pack! 🍎 Featuring six illustrated scenarios, four feeling choices, contextual-clue cards, and hands-on match... Read more
Preschool, Three's · Behavior, Curriculum, English, Special Needs · 12 pages
$1.99 Available for purchase
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Ocean Cleanup Heroes: Coloring, Counting & Sorting Ocean Litter
 +5
PDF

Ocean Cleanup Heroes: Coloring, Counting & Sorting Ocean Litter

This 10-page printable invites children to color an ocean scene, find and count pictured litter, sort litter cards into recyclable and other waste, and play a cleanup board game. Children practice ... Read more
Four's, Five's · English, Science · 10 pages
$2.00 Available for purchase
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Planet Route Board Game: Solar System Planet Order and Question Cards
 +5
PDF

Planet Route Board Game: Solar System Planet Order and Question Cards

This 11-page printable game includes a planet route board, cut-out mission cards, an answer key, planet cards, and a sequencing activity for children to use with an adult or small group. Players mo... Read more
School Age, Kindergarten · English, Play, Science · 11 pages
$2.95 Available for purchase
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Apple Orchard Move and Freeze: Preschool Inhibitory Control Activity
 +5
PDF

Apple Orchard Move and Freeze: Preschool Inhibitory Control Activity

Get preschoolers moving, pausing, and having fun with this Apple Orchard Move & Freeze activity pack! 🍎 Featuring colorful movement visuals, reusable MOVE and PAUSE cards, and engaging movement ... Read more
Preschool, Three's · Behavior, Curriculum, English, Gross Motor · 15 pages
$1.99 Available for purchase
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Apple Orchard Movement Pack for Toddlers: Gross Motor Coordination
 +5
PDF

Apple Orchard Movement Pack for Toddlers: Gross Motor Coordination

This 14-page print-ready movement pack helps toddlers ages 18–36 months imitate simple, modeled body movements during apple orchard play. Educators can use the movement cards and quick-start guid... Read more
Infant/Toddler, Two's · English, Gross Motor, Movement, Play · 14 pages
$1.49 Available for purchase
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Dinosaur Bone Group Puzzle and Paleontologist Activities
 +5
PDF

Dinosaur Bone Group Puzzle and Paleontologist Activities

Invite children to play paleontologist as they cut out labeled bone groups and place them on a dinosaur silhouette mat, then check their skeleton against a completed reference. The printable also i... Read more
School Age, Four's · English, Fine Motor, Math, Play · 7 pages
$2.45 Available for purchase
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Snowball-Throwing Math Trail: Number Bonds and Addition Game
 +5
PDF

Snowball-Throwing Math Trail: Number Bonds and Addition Game

This 13-page printable game includes a snowball trail board, number cards, target cards, and directions for solo, partner, or cooperative play. Children collect number cards and combine two cards t... Read more
Mixed Ages, Four's · Curriculum, English, Math · 13 pages
$2.65 Available for purchase
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Cornfield Rhyming Race: Printable Rhyming Game and Teacher Guide
 +5
PDF

Cornfield Rhyming Race: Printable Rhyming Game and Teacher Guide

Make rhyme practice playful with this 9-page printable Cornfield Rhyming Race, including a game board, picture cards, spinner, game pieces, and a teacher guide. Children listen to spoken words and ... Read more
Three's, Four's · English, Fine Motor, Language Arts, Listening · 9 pages
$1.50 Available for purchase
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Ask, Explore, Discover! Open-Ended Questions to Extend Preschool Learning
 +5
PDF

Ask, Explore, Discover! Open-Ended Questions to Extend Preschool Learning

This 9-page printable pack includes a classroom-ready poster of open-ended prompts for exploring, explaining, comparing, creating, and solving problems. Preschool teachers can choose a question to ... Read more
Preschool · Curriculum, English, Language Arts, Listening · 9 pages
Free
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Observe, Reflect, Respond! A Preschool Teaching Poster for Responsive Planning
 +5
PDF

Observe, Reflect, Respond! A Preschool Teaching Poster for Responsive Planning

Display this one-page poster in a planning area or staff room as a quick guide for preschool teachers and teaching teams. Its three-step cycle—observe, reflect, and respond—helps educators reco... Read more
Preschool · Curriculum, English, Tool Kits · 8 pages
Free
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Preschool Learning Center Setup and Review Form
 +5
PDF

Preschool Learning Center Setup and Review Form

This 8-page printable pack helps preschool teachers plan one learning center at a time, from gathering center details to choosing reading, blocks, art, dramatic play, science, or math. Each form of... Read more
Preschool · Curriculum, English, Environment · 8 pages
Free
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Thanksgiving Pretend Cooking Teacher Guide: Recipe Sequencing, Matching & Counting
 +5
PDF

Thanksgiving Pretend Cooking Teacher Guide: Recipe Sequencing, Matching & Counting

Bring Thanksgiving cooking into dramatic play with a teacher guide for three pretend recipes: mashed potatoes, fruit salad, and pumpkin pie. Children practise putting recipe steps in order, matchin... Read more
Preschool, Four's · Curriculum, English, Fine Motor, Health · 15 pages
$2.50 Available for purchase
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Thanksgiving Table-Setting Activity Guide: Printable Matching and Counting Game
 +5
PDF

Thanksgiving Table-Setting Activity Guide: Printable Matching and Counting Game

Set up a pretend Thanksgiving table with printable placemats, dining-object pieces, and instruction cards for tables of two, four, or six guests. Children practise matching and arranging table item... Read more
Preschool, Three's · Art, Curriculum, English, Family · 17 pages
$2.65 Available for purchase
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Fall Pie Shop Teacher Guide: Whole-and-Slice Matching Activities
 +5
PDF

Fall Pie Shop Teacher Guide: Whole-and-Slice Matching Activities

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School Age, Mixed Ages · Curriculum, English, Fine Motor, Math · 9 pages
$2.50 Available for purchase
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Preschool Fall Apple Cider Stand: Match the Customer’s Order
 +5
PDF

Preschool Fall Apple Cider Stand: Match the Customer’s Order

Invite preschoolers to play market day at a pretend fall apple cider stand by matching each customer order to the corresponding menu item. Children draw lines between the matching pictures, practis... Read more
Preschool, School Age · Admin, Art, English, Fine Motor · 9 pages
$2.00 Available for purchase
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Build-a-Shape Daily Activity Plan for Toddlers Ages 2–3
 +5
PDF

Build-a-Shape Daily Activity Plan for Toddlers Ages 2–3

This six-page planning resource helps teachers prepare playful, hands-on shape exploration for children ages 2–3. Use the form to choose a shape, gather safe materials, plan the setup and explora... Read more
Two's · Curriculum, English, Math · 6 pages
Free
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Flag Discovery Planning Form: Hands-On Flag Activity for Ages 2–5
 +5
PDF

Flag Discovery Planning Form: Hands-On Flag Activity for Ages 2–5

Plan a playful flag exploration with this 7-page printable planning form for children ages 2–5. Educators can choose a country or community flag, identify colors and simple shapes or patterns to ... Read more
Two's, Three's · Art, English, Fine Motor · 7 pages
Free
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Five Senses Activity Planner for Preschoolers Ages 2–5
 +5
PDF

Five Senses Activity Planner for Preschoolers Ages 2–5

This 7-page printable planner helps preschool teachers, nursery educators, and families design a short, playful exploration of seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or touching. Each planning sheet g... Read more
Two's, Three's · Curriculum, English, Science · 7 pages
Free
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Feed the Friendly Halloween Monster: Picture Matching Game for Ages 2–3
 +5
PDF

Feed the Friendly Halloween Monster: Picture Matching Game for Ages 2–3

This 10-page printable invites children ages 2–3 to match picture tokens to the same images on a friendly monster’s board, then pretend to feed the monster. Children practise visual matching, n... Read more
Two's · English, Fine Motor, Halloween, Language Arts · 10 pages
$1.50 Available for purchase
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Friendly Halloween Daily Activity Planner for Childcare Classrooms
 +5
PDF

Friendly Halloween Daily Activity Planner for Childcare Classrooms

Plan a welcoming Halloween classroom day with this five-page printable planner for teachers. The forms help you record the date, group, learning goal, activities and times, materials, transitions, ... Read more
Preschool, Three's · Curriculum, English, Halloween · 5 pages
Free
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Kindness and Safe Play Observation Checklist for Ages 2–4
 +5
PDF

Kindness and Safe Play Observation Checklist for Ages 2–4

This six-page printable observation checklist helps teachers document social learning and safe play for children ages 2–4. Check off observable behaviors such as taking turns, using gentle hands,... Read more
Two's, Three's · Behavior, English, Safety · 6 pages
Free
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Preschool Development Observation Record: Autumn Learning Documentation
 +5
PDF

Preschool Development Observation Record: Autumn Learning Documentation

This 10-page printable observation record helps preschool teachers document one child’s learning during everyday activities and autumn experiences. Record the date, context, and observable action... Read more
Preschool · Curriculum, Developmental Milestones, English · 10 pages
Free
License: ChildCareEd Resource License  
Image for Ohio Annual Training Bundle 2: Play, Observe, Plan

Ohio Annual Training Bundle 2: Play, Observe, Plan

Career Program

Do you believe in learning through play, observing children’s growth, and planning with purpose? Then this training bundle is crafted just for you! Des...

$45.00
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Image for Pennsylvania Creative Classrooms: 12-Hour Annual Training for Teachers

Pennsylvania Creative Classrooms: 12-Hour Annual Training for Teachers

Career Program

Need 12 training hours that also spark classroom creativity and inclusive learning? Designed for preschool and early learning teachers, this bundle combines ...

$89.00
View Program
Image for Virginia Career Pathways Level 1 Training Bundle

Virginia Career Pathways Level 1 Training Bundle

Career Program

Are you just starting your child care career? Do you want to build foundational skills and earn recognition on Virginia’s Career Pathways? Then you're ...

$180.00
View Program
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🌞 Florida — Sunshine State Play Days
  Min spend $55 ·   Ends Nov 4, 2026
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$5 off
🎃👻 SPOOKTACULAR SAVINGS FOR PENNSYLVANIA CHILDCARE PROFESSIONALS! 👻🎃
  Min spend $24 ·   Ends Nov 11, 2026
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