Amy Hoffman One of the most devastating things that can occur in your life as an early learning professional is when you have reason to suspect that a child in your classroom is a victim of abuse or neglect. What responsibilities do you have to the child, and what do you do when that type...Read More

Megan Pittsinger Why were PA Position Statements created? The PA Position Statements are the result of the need to consider the impact of Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Certification Regulations and other Pennsylvania program specific expectations on the scoring of the items in the Environment Rating Scales (ERS). In the case of each Position...Read More

By Bobbi Philson Is it an interest center? Is it a play area? Is it both? Does it matter? A play area needs: Play materials Space An interest center needs: Clear definition Materials for a particular kind of play Materials organized by type and accessible to children Furniture if needed Appropriate space for the type...Read More

Kelli Harris My two-year-old nephew came for a visit recently to see my chickens. He is fascinated by them and loves when I open up their pen so he can chase them in the backyard. After an hour, I was exhausted trying to keep up with him, so I suggested we go inside. Read More

Kweli Archie There are many fun ways to celebrate diversity with young children. Research shows that young children see differences in people at an early age. Helping children to respect diversity in the classroom goes beyond what we can see, hear, or taste, such as food, art, music, costumes and customs. It involves giving attention,...Read More

Stefanie Camoni What’s today? What was yesterday? What’s tomorrow? The response heard is typically the same; various days yelled out by a large group of preschoolers crowded on a circle carpet, or a square carpet that we call the circle rug. Children don’t understand the concept, but yet it is heard daily in many preschool...Read More

As part of Keystone STARS Revisioning, OCDEL and stakeholders involved in the process want to make sure that limited resources are being used as effectively as possible to provide quality early learning opportunities especially to at-risk children. As a result, OCDEL is proposing the following adjustments to financial supports: Maintain funding for teacher higher education...Read More

Suzanne Glenn With the continuation of the cold and flu season, it is a good time to review the proper hand washing procedures based upon guidelines from Pennsylvania DHS and Caring for Our Children, Third Edition (Standard 3.2.2.2).Read More

Mealtimes are busy times for teachers and children. When you’re dealing with 15 hungry 3 year-olds, it can be a challenge for even the calmest, coolest teacher to manage the high demand.Read More

The world is a busy place and TV, videos, iPads and computers fill the day leaving less time for dramatic play.Read More