Creative and Playful Learning in Family Child Care
Family child care offers mixed-age groups where siblings can be cared for together. The provider’s schedule, location, culture, and language are often a match for family needs.
Learning Environments
Learning environments are nurturing spaces that support the development of all young children. They include classrooms, play spaces, areas for caregiving routines, and outdoor areas. Learning environments are well-organized and managed settings. They offer developmentally appropriate schedules, lesson plans, and indoor and outdoor chances for choice, play, exploration, and experimentation. Learning environments include age-appropriate equipment, materials, and supplies. They integrate home cultures and are flexible to support the changing ages, interests, and characteristics of a group of children over time. In home-based programs, the learning environment includes the home, community, and group socialization spaces.
Playful Learning Environments for Infants and Toddlers
Play supports infants’ and toddlers’ development. Learn how to incorporate more playful learning activities into your program. Examine techniques for creating play-friendly environments in centers and at home.
Preschool Play for Physical Development
Identify playful learning activities that can support preschoolers’ motor and physical development. Explore scaffolding strategies and techniques for managing physical play.
Head Start Super Heroes
Head Start Teachers are super heroes! This video showcases everyday super powers Head Start teachers use in their learning environments, like sight, speed, and strength.
Strategies to Create Positive Learning Environments for Children and Staff
Creating a positive environment ensures every child in a program feels safe, valued, and loved. Discover ways you can be a superhero for your children and families by focusing on environment.
Developing Self-regulation in Young Children: Lessons from Research
Learn about the development of self-regulation in young children and discover how teachers can promote young children's self-management skills.
Designing Environments
Learn about features of the physical and social classroom environment that maximize young children's engagement and learning.
Early Essentials Webisode 7: Environments
In this webisode, find out how environments impact adults and children. Discover ways to make environments welcoming learning spaces for infants, toddlers, and their families.
Nature-Based Learning and Development for Administrators
Learn how to use the natural world as a learning tool to improve outcomes for young children in your center.
How to Play in Nature: Language and Literacy Ideas for Teachers
Learn how to use ideas from nature to teach language and literacy in the classroom.