Blog

Information and inspiration for early care and education professionals.

Water play activities to support learning

Offering water play in the classroom and outdoors provides an engaging way to introduce science and math concepts. It provides opportunities for problem-solving, creative thinking and practicing social skills and language development. As with any type of activity, offering variety[...]
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Tools to reduce preschool expulsions

Did you know that preschoolers are three times more likely to be expelled than children in kindergarten through 12th grade? In many cases, preschoolers are suspended or expelled due to challenging behaviors that educators feel unequipped to handle. When faced[...]
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Tips for supporting literacy development

As an early childhood educator, your role is to lay the foundation for future literacy development. Helping children birth to age 5 connect written and spoken language and having meaningful experiences with print can be a challenge, but one effective[...]
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Nurturing a love of nutrition

From the hands-on examination and exploration of a watermelon, a pumpkin, corn on the cob, apples and applesauce, to color-themed food parties, children love to explore and discover different foods. Research shows that experiences like food tastings support an early[...]
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Outdoor classroom is fertile ground for learning

Plants, mud, bugs – the outdoors can be a wondrous place for children to explore and try gardening. Early educators, like Kelly Simmons, understand the importance of kids getting grass under their feet and are making deliberate choices to connect[...]
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Find early childhood programs in communities across Arizona

A new online tool can connect Arizona parents and families with a variety of no-cost early childhood programs to help them nurture their child’s learning and healthy development. First Things First supports programs across Arizona through grants to community organizations[...]
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Start building a love of math and science early in life

Introducing math and science to young children doesn’t have to be complicated. Parents and caregivers don’t have to wait until a child can solve written math problems or conduct complex science experiments. Activities such as finger painting, building blocks and[...]
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