Kelli Harris What exactly is Earth Day? The first Earth Day occurred in 1970, after a U.S. Senator saw the impact of an oil spill in California. Earth Day is celebrated each year on April 22nd and this year marks the 50th Anniversary. It is about raising awareness of the importance of protecting our planet...Read More

Pam Schaffner The assessment team in PA is often asked if they have any tips to make meeting quality standards easier. Since they have experiences visiting many programs in their professional careers, they have seen many programs employ strategies to make things easier, more efficient, and more effective. Implementing quality can be stressful or time...Read More

Bobbi Philson Stevie Wonder tells us the truth: “Music is a world within itself with a language we all understand; with an equal opportunity for all to sing, dance, and clap their hands.” Early childhood educators around the globe accept the importance of music in children’s development. Why does music play such a small part...Read More

Michelle Long We all know that parents like those cute little pieces of art to hang up on the refrigerator. They are proud of what their child made. While parents may like seeing these projects, it is more important to look at what the child is gaining from that project. What goes through a child’s...Read More

Michelle Mallonee Long Confucius said, “What I hear I forget. What I see I remember. What I do I know.” Research has proven that the more senses involved in learning, the greater the impression and the longer the retention. We retain: 10% of what we read 20% of what we hear 39% of what we...Read More

By Angel L. Avery-Wright “Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?” “Would you like them with a fox?” “Go, Dog, Go!” How many Dr. Seuss books can you remember being read to you or by you? Children have been learning to rhyme and read from Dr.Seuss books since 1957 when Houghton Mifflin and Random House asked...Read More

Kitty Syster As teachers you have “everyday interactions” with children every day. These occur naturally with or without thought or intention. Everyday interactions can be good, bad or neutral. As you continue reading you will find ways to turn some of those everyday interactions into powerful interactions. A “Powerful Interaction” is a very intentional and...Read More

How did the Environment Rating Scales evolve? The family of Environment Rating Scales (ECERS, ITERS, FCCERS, & SACERS) initially grew out of my many years of experience teaching in different types of Early Childhood Education programs including as a Family Child Care provider, Parent CO-OP Preschool Teacher, Head Start teacher, Head Teacher of the four...Read More

Leah Zabari In today’s diverse communities, it is becoming more important for teachers to integrate diversity into the early childhood classroom. Awareness of the world around us begins as young children start to recognize colors, language, and similarities and differences between them and their peers. Through this, they start to form their own self-image and...Read More

By Stefanie Camoni Slime is increasing in popularity as the do-it-yourself trend. Kiddos love getting messy and feeling the texture between their fingers. Here is a child-safe recipe to use as a small group or individual activity. Using the picture chart posted below can help children learn skills associated with counting, measuring, becoming familiar with...Read More