CMAS

29 Fun Games to Play in the Snow

Kids love to play in fresh snow. Building a snowman can be fun, but there are so many other activities kids can do to have fun and keep moving once winter comes along. From sledding to snowball fights, catching snowflakes and making snow angels, wintertime affords the whole family so many options and so much fun. Here is a list of fun games that you can share with parents to encourage some family fun in the snow this year!

Video and Posters: Easy Habits for Managing Kids’ Screen Time

Too much screen time hurts kids. It keeps them from active play and it causes them anxiety, depression and other problems. Yet trying to “control” screen time can be a real challenge. Here's a quick, 1-minute video and printable posters to share with parents!

Developmental delays and Autism in the Early Years

Children with autism and developmental disabilities benefit from increased visual aids and structure. It is so important to have a schedule in their classroom and home environment to minimize distractions. This article is a great place to start for more information about developmental delays and autism in the early years, and ideas for how you can help set children up for success in your program and at home.

Brain-Building Through Play: Activities for Infants, Toddlers and Children

From infancy on, play is an important part of a child’s life. Through games and playful activities, children can practice and strengthen important skills that will help them throughout their lives, including learning to focus their attention, strengthening their working memory, and developing basic self-control. This series of handouts provide suggestions for games and play-based activities based on a child’s age, so they are perfect for inspiring educators and sharing with parents!

Podcast: The Magic of Loose Parts

Whether you’re an experienced ECE or new to the field, this podcast takes what we know about loose parts to the next level. Listen in to learn more about loose parts, how to get started, personal mindset and reflection, and so much more!

Webinar: Trauma-Sensitive Care for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos

This webinar helps caregivers and advocates of young children recognize the many types of stress and maltreatment that infants, toddlers, and twos may experience, and know how to create positive caregiving environments that set children on a positive developmental trajectory. In it, you'll learn about the role of rhythm and movement in building healthy brains, the importance of predictable, consistent interactions, the key elements of an emotionally safe environment, and more!

16 Resources for Finding Diverse Books and Classroom Materials

These 16 helpful resources can help you ensure that your bookshelves reflect the diversity of the world around us. Some focus more on school-age programming, but there are lots of great resources to support the early years too!

A Trauma-Informed Approach to Teaching Young Children

It’s estimated that over half of all children aged 2–5 have already experienced a severe stressor. However, early childhood educators and other support staff don’t necessarily need the details of what happened, as long as they are being faithful to the concept of trauma-informed care. This includes developing an awareness of the impact of preverbal trauma and how it may present in early childhood.

VIDEO: How Early Childhood Experiences Affect Lifelong Health and Learning

How is ongoing, severe stress and adversity in early childhood connected to chronic disease in adults? And, what can we do about it? In this animated video, learn what the latest science tells us about how early experiences affect not only early learning and school readiness, but also lifelong health. Challenge yourself to think about how we can address the sources of these problems. And, consider how integrating primary care into every aspect of early childhood programming may be an important part of the solution.

8 Tips for Making Your Program Culturally Inclusive Year Round

Celebrating diversity is a huge part of building the empathy and perspective-taking skills necessary for the development of kind, inclusive, caring human beings. As educators, we have an incredible opportunity and responsibility to support the development of these skills with even our youngest learners. Here are 8 tips for making sure your program is culturally inclusive year-round!