Knowing that local field trips are a source of curriculum in early childhood education, two teachers venture to a theater with their class, then engage in a project about storytelling, performance, and stages.
Cross-area play is rooted in the idea that when children are given the freedom to experiment with materials in open-ended ways, their play can transform into elaborate, complex plots and offer rich developmental opportunities.
The books featured here provide a sampling of books and activities that can be used to introduce foster care and adoption into the early childhood classroom.
Stepping back from children’s play, rather than always inserting ourselves into it, gives us time to intentionally observe, listen to, and record children as they play.
Authored by
Authored by:
Krystina Tapia, Emma Pickering, Jesse Robert Coffino
Without the toys and supplies commonly found in a classroom, Denise O’Hara’s children relied on nature to spark their imaginations and activities. Through this series of photographs and captions, you’ll see some of their playful creations.
Contact with nature can help mitigate the negative effects of stress. Through nature-based encounters, we can provide children with strategies to use while they are in our care and beyond.
One valuable way we can support children’s exploration of nature is by teaching them how to observe carefully and create observational drawings, which encourage children to understand and question their world.
In this piece, author Ron Grady takes us on a journey of one day in the life of a nature-based preschool. He also shares reflections and tips that can apply to any setting.
Anshu Williams is a lead preschool teacher at Active Louisville Kids in Louisville, Colorado, where she has worked with children and families for 10 years.
Throughout the past year and a half, as early childhood educators innovated within their learning communities and beyond their programs' walls, many have rediscovered the possibilities of outdoor and nature-based experiences.
Teaching Young Children is NAEYC's magazine for anyone who works with preschoolers. Colorful, informative, and easy-to-read, TYC is packed full of teaching ideas, strategies, and tips.
The Fall 2021 issue features articles on encouraging risks in nature play to empower children, using outdoor play as a form of support for children under stress, incorporating cross-area play into your classroom setting, and more.
Tablets, apps, and other digital technology can help children learn—as long as you carefully plan the content, and monitor how children use them. Read on for ideas for using apps and other digital technology in your classroom!
Authored by
Authored by:
Jennifer Garrette Lisy, Kathleen A. Paciga, Mary Quest
Building relationships with the community has multiple benefits: Your organization or school builds name recognition and a positive reputation; you are informed of local events and community resources; and your organization’s credibility is enhanced.
Place-based education uses local cultures, heritage, landscapes, opportunities, and experiences to create a curriculum in which literacy, mathematics, social studies, science, and arts learning occur in the context of place.
It’s not uncommon to have children in your program who spend time with parents in two different homes. Individualizing communication is an effective way to recognize and welcome diverse family structures.
