By Rochelle Deane The way you communicate with children teaches them how to communicate with others because children learn to communicate through everyday interactions and a language rich environment. Surrounding children with a rich language environment is important beginning in infancy. Talking, singing, reading, and offering many opportunities throughout their day, across all activities can...Read More

Welcome to a new “Let’s Talk Quality” blog feature where we spotlight a member of the Pennsylvania Program Quality Assessment (PQA) Team each month. Have fun getting to know our team! Ann Gula Carbon County anngul@pakeys.orgRead More

Natalie Grebe In a classroom setting, there are many ways to engage toddlers and preschool children in age-appropriate science activities. This can be a fun and interactive way to introduce science concepts and foster a love of learning. Here are some ideas for activities that can be incorporated into a preschool classroom and spark a...Read More

Barbara Bredell-Searle According to Dictionary.com, the definition for the word affirmation is a (noun) and it is followed by five definitions: the act or an instance of affirming; state of being affirmed. the assertion that something exists or is true. something that is affirmed; a statement or proposition that is declared to be true. confirmation or ratification of...Read More

Welcome to a new “Let’s Talk Quality” blog feature where we spotlight a member of the Pennsylvania Program Quality Assessment (PQA) Team each month. Have fun getting to know our team!Read More

Leah Zabari Yesterday I was in a toddler classroom when two children slowly walked by me. One of the toddlers went up to the other and gently took hold of his friend’s hand. They proceeded to walk around the room together holding hands and interacting. It was such a sweet moment that was only captured...Read More

By Michelle Long Life can be frustrating at times. So many of the things that happen each day are out of our own control. We have to rely on the competency of others without knowing what all is on their plate. Sometimes our own frustration can get in the way of being empathetic or even...Read More

We’re adding a new blog feature where we spotlight a member of the Pennsylvania Program Quality Assessment team each month. Have fun getting to know our team! Beth Simon M.Ed., Centre County, betsim@pakeys.org Background I received my Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) from Penn State University and my Masters of...Read More

By Angel Avery-Wright Chalk is an open-ended art material that can be used for so much more than just art. Chalk gives children the opportunity to learn so many different skills such as eye hand coordination, problem solving, and taking turns.Read More

The Program Quality Assessment (PQA) Team is available to support you in the Internal Assessment Process (IAP) by completing an on-site assessment in your program. In addition to the Environment Rating Scales® (ERS) and Classroom Observation Scoring System® (CLASS®) this opportunity is available for all Program Observation Instruments (POIs) listed in the Keystone STARS Standards.Read More