Angel Avery How can you incorporate language development into your infant room? Diapering/toileting times: Discuss what you are doing as you change a diaper. ‘I am changing your diaper. I going to remove your pants and take off the dirty diaper.” Count the number of snaps on the onesies. Talk about 3-D materials hanging above...Read More

By Angel Avery-Wright The learning of math/numbers should begin very early in life. Math for infants and toddlers should be introduced informally and naturally as opportunities come up. There are many toys for young children that relate to math.Read More

by Lisa Mulliken From toddler to preschooler, my granddaughter has amassed a sizeable collection of plastic animals including farm and jungle animals, sea creatures, dinosaurs, and insects. Throughout the years, the collection has remained her favorite and most used toy. From sharks and whales in the bathtub to a cheetah in her pocket as we...Read More

Kitty Syster Sorting and counting are great activities for preschool-age children, but children can lose interest in the activities when the items they are sorting and counting are always the same. Although there are plenty of commercially produced items available to purchase, they can seem repetitive in style and be costly. So, why not make...Read More

By Aimee Currier  Are you looking for something different to do with the children in your care? Maybe you need a new way to reinforce or teach math concepts, language arts or nature/science. You might be hoping to find a fun way to get children involved in creating art. Believe it or not, a walk...Read More

Aimee Currier How many of us have pondered the thought of “just where did half of my socks go?” I read a funny quote that said lost socks come back as Tupperware lids! May 9th has been designated as “National Lost Sock Memorial Day.” It is quite a unique “holiday” and one that you can...Read More

By Betsy Saatman, TA Specialist/SAC Initiatives (Guest Blogger) 1989: Alicia Custodio, a volunteer for Upward Fund, an organization that runs after school programs in East Harlem, New York, was observed helping children with the use of a computer.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

By Amy Hoffman   There are days in my life as a program quality assessor when I have the joy of seeing children take the lead in an activity. It’s especially fun to watch the teachers join in with the play while the children direct it. I spent time outside with a school-age group last August...Read More

Megan Pittsinger Are you tired of the rainy, snowy, freezing days that are keeping us in? Are you wondering what kind of fun activities you can do inside to keep the children busy and interested? Why not try a fun trail mix recipe that will not only provide a delicious snack when you are finished,...Read More