How caregivers can help build children’s emerging language skills
Research shows that children’s early language skills have a long reach in affecting later life outcomes. Because when children develop the ability to understand language, as well as speak and communicate, it helps them to interact with others and learn about the world around them. Here are
three simple ways that we can help build children’s emerging language skills in our programs and families.
Magic Moments: Active Problem Solving with Young Children
Every problem, large or small, is an opportunity for young children to learn and grow. From spilled glue to a conflict in the block corner, problems are an unlimited natural resource generated inside our own classrooms. This
insight-building webinar will explore how early childhood educators can take the problems, mistakes, and accidents that inevitably occur in every early childhood program, and turn them into teachable moments.
WEBINAR – Art in the Trauma-Informed ECE Classroom: Process over Product
Open-ended art is a creative process of self-discovery that literally grows the brain. Why then, do many teachers deliver cookie-cutter crafts as art? Process art builds the brain in early childhood and serves to both calm the nervous system and release emotions. These calming and releasing functions have important implications for trauma-informed classrooms. Art is a safe way to experience choice and control, make our own decisions, take risks, and express our thoughts and feelings. In many ways, all art is self-discovery.
This webinar will share key practices that to help reduce the use of cookie-cutter crafts in favor of true art that reflects children’s authentic thoughts and feelings.
57 Fun Physical Activities for Little Ones
Children between 2-4 years old don’t only need a lot of movement, they also need a lot of variety of movement. This age group is ready to move in new and exciting ways! So while it’s essential to make time for unstructured, active
playtime, it’s also important to have access to plenty of fun, simple activities that you know will help them get active and develop skills in many different ways. Here's a list of
57 fun activities for kids that might help!
Sing & Sign Webinar: Supporting Emerging Language Through Music, Sign Language, and Play
Join
this interactive and informative presentation to learn simple steps to start signing with young children, key benefits, and easy ways to incorporate signing across the environments and routines of your day with young children!
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.
