By Erin DelRegno While working with children throughout the day, I know you try to praise their actions. You want to acknowledge when they are helping, when they are showing thei...

Lisa Mulliken From peg to frame to floor, puzzles provide children with many play opportunities and learning experiences, but organizing and storing these fine motor materials in...

by Kelli Harris This is a great recipe to make with children in a shady spot outside during the summer or to create in the winter months to go along with a cold weather theme. Y...

By Kelli Harris A picture walk is previewing the pictures in a book to familiarize a child or group of children with the story prior to introducing the written words to them. Pic...

Michelle Mallonee Long Photo Courtesy of Michelle Mallonee Long “You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book.” – Dr. Seuss ...

By Kweli Archie “ Child care professionals have a unique opportunity to counteract unhealthy influences in a child’s early childhood. They have the power to affect a child’s l...

By Lisa Mulliken In playground safety resources, the terms “fall zone” and “use zone” are often referenced and sometimes used interchangeably. Both of these terms are used to des...

By Lisa Mulliken During the snowy weather and cold winter months, do you find it more challenging to get the children in your classroom outside? Here in Pennsylvania, wintertime ...

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, ...

Do you want to collaborate with us? We’re looking for guest writers! Here’s how to submit a blog post: Complete this Guest Blogger Submission Form and e-mail it to Em...

The PQA Blog Team has compiled a list of resources that may be of assistance to you! American Academy of Pediatrics Better Kid Care Caring for Our Children Center o...

Bobbi Philson Music is a powerful tool that early childhood teachers can use to support and nurture many developmental domains: social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and languag...

Angel L. Avery-Wright I recently attended my fourth Early Childhood Education Summit in State College, PA. As a returning participant, I had some general ideas of what to expect ...

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 teachin...

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...

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 re...

By Natalie Grebe As a program quality assessor, I have the opportunity to observe some stellar vignettes in classrooms that highlight developmentally appropriate practices. Durin...

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 ...

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 ...

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 Foundation...