One of the most exciting things in an early childhood education program is introducing new materials or activities. New materials can help to refresh the space for both children and educators, sparking creativity and serving as inspiration for new activities and imaginative play. If your program is planning to order materials, first take inventory of … Read more
Early childhood research shows that very young children don’t learn to manage big emotions by being told to calm down; they learn by being calmed with. Because infants and toddlers lack the neural pathways to self-soothe, they rely on the steady, grounded presence of their caregivers to help settle their activated nervous systems. The featured … Read more
Celebrate Children’s Book Week with our curated collection of early literacy resources designed for educators, caregivers, and families! These tools offer practical strategies and actionable guidance to support learning, foster connection, and nurture a lifelong love of reading both in and out of the classroom.
Connecting with families is essential to meeting the diverse needs of every young child, as families hold the deepest understanding of their own children’s unique strengths, routines, and cultural background. When we build strong, reciprocal relationships with families, we gain insights that help personalize care, bridge home and classroom environments, and ensure every child feels … Read more
Creating a sense of belonging is an important part of building a welcoming early childhood environment. In this installment of Coach’s Corner, we look at one simple but meaningful way to support connection: displaying photos of children in their program spaces. Seeing themselves and their peers helps children recognize that they are valued members of … Read more
What does it mean for a child to feel they matter to others? According to researchers at the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, “from the earliest years, children’s sense of mattering is shaped both by feeling valued and by adding value to others. Feeling valued fulfills a deep psychological need for both … Read more
A child’s experience upon arriving at their early childhood education program each morning can set the tone for their entire day. Actually, the same can be true for adults coming into an office or meeting! Think about an adult walking into a meeting: they’re more likely to feel comfortable engaging and collaborating if they are … Read more
Summer offers plenty of opportunities for fun in the sun, but high-heat days can quickly become unsafe for our most vulnerable learners- indoors and out. Who is vulnerable? All children’s bodies are still developing the ability to regulate temperature, and caregivers should monitor them closely. Children who may be at particular risk include: Whether you … Read more
A new book by Gillian Sandstrom, Once Upon a Stranger: The Science of How “Small” Talk Can Add Up to a Big Life, explores how adults benefit from stepping outside their comfort zones to talk to unfamiliar people. In the article The Hidden Power of Talking to Strangers, an interview with Sandstrom highlights some of … Read more
Starting a career in early childhood education is an incredible whirlwind of energy, but it’s no secret that the first-year can lead to early burnout. To show up for your children in your classroom, you first have to show up for yourself. This collection of resources is designed specifically for new educators to help you … Read more
DELAWARE INSTITUTE FOR
EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
