A practical, easy-to-follow tip sheet for early educators introducing solid foods safely in child care settings. In early care and education settings, introduce solid foods when infants show develo... Read more
Talking with babies and toddlers is a brain building activity! Every time you talk to a baby and have a high-quality back-and-forth interaction, new connections in that baby’s brain are made. The... Read more
Week of the Young Child activities celebrate young children's learning and development through play-based, hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and creativity. Popular activities include art p... Read more
If you have no childcare experience, emphasize transferable skills like patience, communication, reliability, and any informal experience (babysitting, tutoring, volunteering) when applying for ent... Read more
Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter in children’s developing brains that helps regulate reward, motivation, attention, and motor control. Proper dopamine signaling supports learning, goal-directed... Read more
The child care workforce requires clearly defined qualifications such as minimum education levels, background checks, CPR/first aid and early childhood credentials or state licensing to ensure care... Read more
Daycares can support children with special needs by creating inclusive communication environments that use predictable routines, visual supports, and clear, simplified language. Implementing augmen... Read more
Effective behavior support in daycare for children with special needs uses individualized, proactive plans that focus on understanding the purpose of behaviors and teaching replacement skills. Cons... Read more
Daycares can support children with special needs by creating inclusive routines, adapting activities, and using visual supports so each child can participate at their own pace. Trained staff, stron... Read more
Create an inclusive environment by training staff in disability awareness, using predictable routines and visual supports, and arranging the space with sensory-friendly areas and accessible materia... Read more
Fostering healthy social and emotional development in young children begins with warm, responsive relationships that provide consistent routines, clear boundaries, and a sense of safety. Caregivers... Read more
The Child Care Infant and Children Weekly Meal/Menu Planner Template provides a structured weekly layout to plan nutritious breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and bottle/breastfeeding schedules for infan... Read more
On MLK Day, children can create a "dream" collage or kindness pledge cards inspired by Dr. King's message of equality and nonviolence. While making the projects, read a short age-appropriate story ... Read more
In our classroom, kid culture celebrates diversity and encourages every student to share their unique background and ideas. We practice respect, active listening, and kindness so everyone feels saf... Read more
