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

By Natalie Grebe As a program quality assessor, I have the opportunity to observe some stellar vignettes in classrooms that highlight developmentally appropriate practices. During one of my visits, I was busy circulating among the busy activities of a pre-kindergarten classroom. When I approached the block center I became enthralled by my findings. Three, four-year-old...Read More

The Pennsylvania Key welcomes Marnie Aylesworth as the new director. Marnie has worked in the field of early childhood education for over 25 years. She holds a Master’s degree in early childhood education and is in the final stages of her dissertation for her Ed.D in Curriculum and Instruction (ABD). Her current research is focused...Read More

Regina Wright Ingredients: A popsicle stick for each child 2 two-inch celery stalks per child 2 tablespoons of peanut butter per child (substitutions for food allergies can include hummus and cheese spreads) A small child size handful of raisinsRead More

Angel L. Avery-Wright Pets in child care can be a very rewarding and educational endeavor. Shy, younger children often respond to class pets Children can learn how to care for a pet and how to handle them. Pets needs vary depending on what kind of pet, so children can learn the different ways to care...Read More

By Stefanie Camoni What if there was a way to lower the number of challenging behaviors in your classroom? Would you believe it? The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) and the Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention (TACSEI) have created the pyramid model a conceptual framework of evidence...Read More

Early childhood professionals, your voices have been heard! In response to feedback and to meet the growing needs of Pennsylvania’s early learning workforce, the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) announces the PD Registry will undergo a redesign in the coming months. The new registry will be live early 2018. Upcoming releases...Read More

Natalie Grebe If you have ever been in a toddler classroom, you can picture the scene. A room full of many toys and a lot of little people meandering around with those toys. It’s as if they’re in their own little world. A world full of pretending, imagining and play. The stuff in their eyes...Read More

By Erin DelRegno Attachment can be defined as the emotional bond that forms between a child and their parent and primary caregiver. Relationships like these are an important aspect of everyone’s life, and children start to build these relationships from birth. A healthy or secure attachment develops gradually over time and impacts how children build...Read More