Creative and Playful Learning in Family Child Care
Family child care offers mixed-age groups where siblings can be cared for together. The provider’s schedule, location, culture, and language are often a match for family needs.
Learning Environments
Learning environments are nurturing spaces that support the development of all young children. They include classrooms, play spaces, areas for caregiving routines, and outdoor areas. Learning environments are well-organized and managed settings. They offer developmentally appropriate schedules, lesson plans, and indoor and outdoor chances for choice, play, exploration, and experimentation. Learning environments include age-appropriate equipment, materials, and supplies. They integrate home cultures and are flexible to support the changing ages, interests, and characteristics of a group of children over time. In home-based programs, the learning environment includes the home, community, and group socialization spaces.
Early Social Interactions Build Connections in the Brain
Back-and-forth social interactions build babies' language skills and strengthen language regions in their brains.
Creating Playful Learning Environments for Infants and Toddlers
Play is more than fun; it supports infant and toddler learning across domains. Discover strategies for effectively managing and scaffolding play and creating play-friendly activities and environments.
Playful and Fun Learning Environments for Infants and Toddlers
Through play, children learn about the world while practicing the skills that allow them to explore it. When we play with children, we provide learning environments that are rich with context and meaning. These joyful experiences help children learn!
Supportive Environments for Building Math Skills with Infants and Toddlers
Research on the Go podcasts summarize the latest research and discuss implications and practical applications. This episode addresses how to create environments to build math skills with infants and toddlers.
Designing Classroom and Socialization Environments for Infants and Toddlers
In this tip sheet, learn about designing classroom and socialization environments for infants and toddlers. Find tips for buildings, facilities, and learning environments. Explore relevant standards and resources.
Outdoor Experiences for Infants and Toddlers
Outdoor play supports infant and toddler health, development, and learning. Explore strategies and standards for strengthening young children's connection to the outdoors while keeping them safe.
Strategies for Maximizing Outdoor Learning Opportunities for Infants and Toddlers
Programs serving infants and toddlers should consider ways to facilitate and strengthen adult engagement with outdoor play and exploration.
Considerations for Creating Safe and Stimulating Outdoor Play Spaces
Find out what makes good outdoor play spaces for infants and toddlers and explore guidelines for designing them.
Benefits of Outdoor Play and Exploration
Explore four benefits of outdoor play and exploration for infants and toddlers: improved health; strengthened development and learning; connection to nature; and extended curriculum.