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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.

 Infant/Toddler Effective Practice Series

These Teacher Time episodes focus on supporting infants' and toddlers' development and learning through all the elements of the Framework for Effective Practice, or House Framework. 

Resources on CLASS Pre-K®

Explore the resources on this page, which may be useful to Head Start directors, education managers, coaches, teachers, and others who work with preschoolers.

Teacher Time Series

Start watching this video series to discover teaching tips and resources to support effective practices in your program.

Engaging Interactions and Environments

These 15-minute In-service Suites are a professional development resource for staff in busy, active early childhood centers and programs. They are organized around one topic or big idea and address effective teaching and assessment practices.

Text4Teachers

Sign up to receive two free text messages per month with information, tips, research, and resources to strengthen and support your teaching practices.