Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock
()
or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
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.
In this video, a Family Child Care Connects team member discusses with a family child care provider the setup of the STEAM area. Listen as they discuss the usefulness of adding a gate to the learning environment.
In this video, two different educators are zoning on their own. One educator is in an outdoor environment, and the other educator is a family child care provider. Watch to see how these educators implement zoning.
In this video, two educators are zoning in a group care setting with toddlers. One of the educators is engaging in one-to-one zoning.
In this video, two educators are zoning during mealtime with toddlers. One educator is engaging in one-on-one zoning as a part of a child’s individualization plan.
Messy play is a great way to experience natural elements with all the senses. Help children explore textures, sounds, and smells of materials. Make a mud puddle outside for children to splash in; use a sensory table to splash, scoop, and pour water; and more!
This framework uses a house to represent five integral elements of quality teaching and learning for children ages birth to 5 in all program options.
Encourage children to explore their senses, stretch fine motor skills, and be creative using materials of different colors, textures, sizes, and more. What can children mold, manipulate, stack, arrange, pattern, color, or imagine as they explore 3D art?
Thrilling play, often called risky play, invites children to explore speed and momentum, height and elevation, the use of adult tools, natural elements, and rough and tumble play.
What’s in the box? Endless possibilities! Educators and families can use cardboard boxes to spark children’s imaginations. Children build skills as they imagine, create, and test and implement their ideas.
Children use blocks to erect buildings, create towers, enhance dramatic play, and so much more! Educators can provide a variety of blocks, interesting accessories, plenty of space to explore, and then watch the block party begin!
HeadStart.gov
official website of the Administration for Children and Families
