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Effective, nurturing, and responsive teaching practices and interactions are key for all learning in early childhood settings. They foster trust and emotional security; are communication and language rich; and promote critical thinking and problem-solving. They also support social, emotional, behavioral, and language development; provide supportive feedback for learning; and motivate continued effort. Teaching practices and interactions are responsive to and build on each child’s pattern of development and learning. They can be measured by the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS®) and other adult-child interaction tools. These observations may then be used to support professional development. Teaching practices also include how schedules and routines are carried out, how settings are managed, and how children’s challenging behaviors are addressed.
This Parallel Play episode focuses on the development of self-regulation in the toddler years and the important role adults play in co-regulation. Learn ways to reframe the “terrible twos” to the “thoughtful twos.”
This Parallel Play episode focuses on initiative, curiosity, and creativity in toddlers. Learn to support toddlers in taking initiative and being curious and creative.
This Parallel Play episode focuses on toddlers and sharing. Learn about the connections between sharing and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, culture, and our adult expectations, and ways to support toddlers in learning how to share.
In this Parallel Play episode, reflect on the emotions that come up when biting occurs in the learning environment. Learn ways to address, prevent, and respond to biting behavior in toddlers.
Children especially love the chance to hear and tell stories. You can spark creativity and joy by encouraging them to dive into storytelling in all kinds of ways!
Whether it’s snowing, raining, sunny, windy, or cloudy with a rainbow above, playing in weather can be an incredible sensory and imaginative experience. Encourage children to play in all weather to learn about the world around them from rain to rainbows!
Sign up to receive two free text messages per month with information, tips, research, and resources to strengthen and support your teaching practices.
These 15-minute In-service Suites are a professional development resource for staff in busy, active early childhood centers and programs. They are organized around one topic or big idea and address effective teaching and assessment practices.
This in-service suite offers ideas teachers can use to engage children in classroom activities and routines. Learn how giving simple tasks to children keeps them involved.
Find out how teachers can engage children in learning by following the children’s lead.
HeadStart.gov
official website of the Administration for Children and Families
