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Teaching Practices

Effective, nurturing, and responsive teaching practices and interactions are key for all learning in early childhood settings. They foster trust and emotional security; are communication and language rich; and promote critical thinking and problem-solving. They also support social, emotional, behavioral, and language development; provide supportive feedback for learning; and motivate continued effort. Teaching practices and interactions are responsive to and build on each child’s pattern of development and learning. They can be measured by the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS®) and other adult-child interaction tools. These observations may then be used to support professional development. Teaching practices also include how schedules and routines are carried out, how settings are managed, and how children’s challenging behaviors are addressed.

We’re Going on a Bug Hunt

Invite children to go on an adventure to find bugs on your outdoor area, backyard, or local playground. Ask children where they think they will find insects — always following their lead in the shared exploration.

It’s Make-believable

Make-believe play is an important part of a research-based curriculum and practices you use every day. The sky is the limit as children create play experiences to explore scenarios from their world and beyond!

1-2-3 Dance with Me

Did you know that experimenting with rhythm connects music, math, and culture? Model musical exploration, share in the joy, and follow children’s interests with types of music and ways to express themselves..

Nature Walk and Roll

Take a nature walk and roll! Children and adults might be walking or rolling around in a stroller, buggy, or wheelchair. All ways of moving are wonderful, and we encourage choosing a pathway that works for everyone.

Play the Head Start Way

Staff can use this information to plan and carry out open ended, joyful play activities with children enrolled in Head Start programs.

The Joy of Teaching and Learning in Preschool

These episodes of Teacher Time highlight the joy of teaching and learning with preschool children. Learn practical strategies to engage in guided play, observation, and intentional teaching. 

Positive Behavior Support, Birth to 5

The 2022-2023 season of Teacher Time explores positive, proactive approaches to challenging behaviors that focus on building social and emotional skills with young children using the Pyramid Model Framework.

Approaches to Learning, Birth to 5

This season of Teacher Time focuses on the four sub-domains of the ELOF Approaches to Learning domain. Each episode highlights teaching and learning experiences that support children’s approaches to learning in ways that are culturally and linguistically responsive and promote children’s sense of identity.