On Demand courses

Los programas de cuidado infantil familiar están en una posición única para apoyar las prácticas de participación familiar de calidad que contribuyen a resultados positivos para los niños y las familias. (2 horas)

Cuidado Infantil Familiar: Experiencias Atractivas para Habilidades Mixtas presenta estrategias específicas para ayudar al plan del proveedor de cuidado infantil familiar y facilitar experiencias emocionantes para un grupo de niños que tienen una amplia gama de intereses y habilidades. El módulo incluye instrucciones para actividades específicas en una variedad de centros de aprendizaje en el típico hogar familiar de cuidado infantil. (2 horas)

Educators who develop self-awareness through mindful practice can better recognize how their emotions and thoughts contribute to their ability to listen to, communicate with, and respond to children with compassion and care. This course, based on the work of the Cultivating Healthy Intentional Mindful Educators (CHIME) Program from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, highlights four mindful areas of practice—breathing, listening, emotions, and speech—and how these areas support social-emotional learning (SEL) to promote a caring and equitable ECE community.

Effective early childhood education (ECE) professionals understand and embrace diversity—cultural, linguistic, and ability diversity (CLAD). They support the unique and individualized values, strengths, and potential of each child and family. This module explores how to gather insights and effective strategies grounded in research to support culturally responsive teaching practices as well as fair and equitable opportunities that lead to positive outcomes for all children. (3 hours)

Culture influences every aspect of a child’s development and learning. As classrooms and society become more culturally diverse, there is a need for early educators to embrace cultural understanding – to be culturally aware, culturally sensitive, culturally responsive, and culturally competent. This lesson explores how educators can reflect on and cultivate practices to build cultural understanding and culturally competent approaches to working with children and families. (2 hours)

This lesson explores curriculum development for early childhood programs. Identify factors to consider when selecting activities, lessons, and resources for young children. Learn strategies for effectively implementing curriculum to support children’s learning and skill development. (2 hours)

Bed bugs are commonly introduced into child care settings, and may become established without proper preventive steps. Although bed bugs do not cause disease, they are considered a threat to health and safety, and they alarm staff and families. This module provides information, activities, and guidelines to assist child care providers in the prevention and safe elimination of bed bugs, and in how to communicate effectively about bed bugs with staff and families. (2 hours)

It is often the permanent trauma children face, such as death or loss, that challenges early educators and caregivers. What should we do or say? What do children really understand about death? Death stops educators in their tracks and reminds them how little their background in education or life experiences prepare them for understanding and responding to the children in their care. Although child care professionals are not experts in grief counseling and support, there are strategies to consider for supporting children. (2 hours)

Many children who have a parent serving in the military live through the experience of having that parent leave on deployment. The months leading up to the parent’s departure and the often lengthy time that the parent is away are difficult times for the whole family. In this lesson, providers will learn about these two uniquely difficult experiences from children’s perspectives, and how to provide support to children in the child care environment. (2 hours)

(for Center Directors) This lesson focuses on involving senior adults in child care and education programs. Information includes how to recruit and train senior volunteers, prepare staff, and integrate senior adults into the curriculum. Discover the many benefits to both the children and adults in your program. (2 hours)

This lesson explores what it means to implement Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) in programs and in teaching. Learn about what factors to consider when determining which activities, lessons, and materials are appropriate for a group and for the children in the group. (2 hours)

The number of young children diagnosed with diabetes is increasing and is frequently identified by high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) or a life-threatening condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Signs and symptoms of DKA can be misattributed to the flu or other common childhood viruses making awareness vital. Proper care and management of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is critical for healthy growth and development and prevention of complications later in life. This module informs caregivers of young children about the signs and symptoms and the essentials of caring for a young child with T1D. (2 hours)

Children who are learning more than one language are a large and growing group of children in early childhood education programs. This module provides an overview of the cognitive, social-emotional and language development of dual language learners (DLLs) as well as examples of how early childhood professionals can support children. Through the content, videos, and reflection assignments, professionals will begin to identify ways to support DLLs in their own care settings. (2 hours)

Este curso ayuda a cultivar prácticas y procedimientos basados en el duelo que apoyan la salud mental y el bienestar de los niños. Amplíe su comprensión de la familiarización en el duelo y la capacidad de aplicar enfoques sensibles al sufrimiento para ayudar con confianza en el duelo, la pérdida y la recuperación de los niños. Este curso identifica los preparativos profesionales que deben aplicarse antes, durante y después de varios tipos de pérdida que pueden sufrir los niños para satisfacer las necesidades de desarrollo y de afrontamiento de los niños pequeños. (2 horas)

Early Intervention (EI) consists of services and supports designed to help children who have developmental delays/special needs, and their families. Because early educators work so closely with children, they play an important role in identifying and supporting children’s developmental strengths and challenges. This module focuses on understanding Early Intervention services and the pivotal role early education providers play as part of the EI team. Awareness of EI helps! (2 hours)

Expand your awareness of early intervention (EI). Distinguish how EI supports the healthy development of infants and children who may experience developmental delays, disabilities, and other environmental or social risk factors that may impact their development. This self-paced course will help demystify the EI process and identify strategic foundations to cultivate well-informed and collaborative approaches that strengthen children's early development and far-reaching potential.

Early intervention (EI) consists of services and supports designed to help children who have a developmental delay or special need, and their families. Related service providers and families collaborate to implement EI services in existing routines and across infant and toddler environments. This lesson focuses on developing a tool kit for support of infants and toddlers who receive early intervention services. (2 hours)

Really great caregivers don't have all the answers to children's questions. They turn those questions around to get children thinking and exploring. This lesson offers ways to help children develop their reasoning and problem solving skills. (2 hours)

Self-regulation is children’s ability to respond appropriately to situations by managing their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Self-regulation in the context of eating is the ability to realize when you are hungry or full and appropriately respond to that feeling. There are many opportunities for adults to support children’s self-regulation of food intake. This module provides strategies to support and encourage children’s self-regulation abilities. (2 hours)

Early childhood professionals can be a major force in promoting children’s nutrition and healthy eating at home. When you implement nutrition best practices, you can serve as a role model for families to practice these strategies at home. Learn how to communicate with families at three levels: individual communication, classroom communication, and program-wide communication and how to use a variety of methods to communicate with families. (2 hours)

Early childhood educators may try to shape children’s behaviors, in eating and general interactions, by offering them highly desired foods as rewards. Although food-based rewards may seem effective, this practice can lead to long-term unhealthy eating behaviors and a decreased liking of healthy foods. In this course, you will learn how to encourage children to try new foods and eat healthy foods by effectively using praise and non-food rewards as alternatives to food rewards. (2 hours)

Allowing children to serve themselves is recommend by many national entities. Children gain a sense of pride and strengthen their sense of belonging to the group when they take an active role during mealtimes. During self-service, children develop fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination, and learn to understand size, shape, and weight concepts. ECE professionals can teach children how to serve themselves and provide an environment that prepares children for self-service. (2 hours)

Role modeling healthy eating is leading by example—a helpful teaching strategy for preschool children 2–5 years old. Children mimic adults; therefore, adults can show children how to do something and provide children with examples of a desired behavior. This module addresses several effective strategies for modeling healthy eating behaviors for young children. (2 hours)

Many adult caregivers experience the challenge of getting children to try different foods. This lesson presents peer modeling as an easy and effective solution to this challenge. During family-style dining, children pass the foods, serve themselves and eat meals together. Children learn from watching their friends. If their friends try new foods, children will try them, too. Research shows that, if practiced properly, peer modeling encourages children to try new and healthy foods. In this module, you will learn how peer modeling can encourage healthy eating in children during EAT family-style dining. (2 hours)

Engaging children in sensory exploration of foods is an important part of nutrition education. This includes engaging the five basic senses of sight, touch, taste, smell and hearing. With this lesson, you will learn various strategies to engage children’s senses with food. Repeated practice of these strategies will make teaching and learning fun for both you and the children. (2 hours)

This course was developed in collaboration with Healthy Eating Research (HER), a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The effective practices highlighted in this course are based on evidence-based recommendations for promoting food acceptance and healthy appetites and weight among children ages 2 to 8. This course was developed to provide early childhood educators with practical strategies and tips to promote healthy eating habits in the early childhood education (ECE) setting. (2 hours)

This lesson provides steps in beginning a professional path. Explore the many meanings of professionalism and distinguish how to represent a professional image. Find out what is expected and required of you as an early childhood professional. (1 hour)

This lesson takes a deeper look at professionalism and prepares you for professional growth by describing important early childhood professional terms, planning for quality professional development, reviewing the role of mentorship, and generating written professional development plans. (1 hour)

Before learning to read and write, children need to develop a variety of important foundational skills. These emergent literacy skills develop over time and are important in a child’s journey to becoming a successful reader and writer. Learn developmentally appropriate ways to promote and enhance the development of children’s emergent literacy skills. (2 hours)

Engaged families, when families and their children’s early programs develop an ongoing partnership to promote children’s healthy development and learning, is a major ingredient of children’s positive academic outcomes. Learn what program and family factors to consider as families engage with the program, different ways to engage families in children’s learning, and how to build partnerships with families. (2 hours)

Each individual who works in the field of early childhood care and education has responsibilities and moral obligations toward children, families, colleagues, and the community. Learn how the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct can be applied to work with young children and their families and how it provides a common framework for the moral, ethical commitments of educators. (2 hours)

Learn ways to bring out nurturing, caring behaviors in children to create a classroom community where children support each other. Learn how to use non-competitive games to foster acceptance of all children. Identify the strengths and weaknesses for both you and the children in your program, and how to put the strengths to good use creating a sense of acceptance and community. (2 hours)

Help children become backyard scientists using outdoor activities for children, and learn activities for gardening with children. In this lesson, discover the top five plants for children, create a nature explorer’s kit, and help children learn about insects and the advantages of composting. (2 hours)

Executive function skills are a broad set of skills that support the process of thinking and learning. Growing research shares the importance of executive function skills as critical building blocks in learning and as predictors of school achievement. Early childhood teachers play a central role in promoting executive function skills. How? Think play. Complex and intentional play, such as dramatic play and partner play, can be the springboard to inviting many executive function skills to be practiced and mastered. (2 hours)

Mixed-age groupings expand learning opportunities for children of differing developmental skills and stages. Adults in mixed-age child care programs can learn more about the children in their care, and can support learning in intentional ways, through observation of multiage interactions. Explore advantages, challenges, and unique concerns of working with mixed-age groups. (2 hours)

Los niños que experimentan experiencias adversas en la infancia (EAI) enfrentan un mayor riesgo de problemas de salud social-emocional, física y mental. Las EAI incluyen abuso, negligencia, pobreza y otras experiencias traumáticas encontradas antes de los dieciocho años de edad. Este curso promueve la sensibilización y la comprensión del trauma en los niños pequeños y las familias y analiza el papel de los profesionales de atención temprana y educación en la construcción de la resiliencia en los niños y las familias a su cargo que experimentan EAI. (2 horas)

In family child care, unlike group homes or centers, YOU are the entire emergency response team. Through this course, owner-operators develop or refine an emergency preparedness plan’s policies and procedures to ensure the safety of all enrolled children, family members, and volunteers. These plans have specific, required components. Learn to conduct and document a wide range of safety practices in order to increase confidence and capacity to respond well in a time of crisis. (3 hours)

Family child care programs are in a unique position to support quality family engagement practices that contribute to positive outcomes for children and families. Strong family engagement is critical, not supplemental, in promoting children’s healthy development, learning, and wellness. Learn how to build positive partnerships with families, work through challenges to family engagement, and improve the quality of care for children and families in your family child care program. (2 hours)

Family child care providers play an important role in the health of young children in their care. This module focuses on action steps suggested by thought leaders, researchers, practitioners, and policy makers at the Healthy Kids, Healthy Future Summit (2016). These collected next steps are opportunities for early care and education settings, and specifically the family child care setting, to support healthy weight in young children and improve provider wellness. (2 hours)

This lesson focuses on appropriate business practices for family child care. Emphasis is on marketing, setting fees, contracts with parents, record keeping, finances, and program planning. (2 hours)

Caring for infants and older children at the same time in family child care is challenging. Family care professionals need to understand current licensing and research regarding infant care (birth - eleven months). This lesson presents strategies and examples of best practice for communication, supervision, programming, and infant care routines in a mixed-ability, home setting. Evaluate your current practices in relation to best practice policies to offer the best infant care possible. (2 hours)

When Family Child Care (FCC) professionals are aware of CLAD—cultural, linguistic, and ability diversity—they are better prepared to support the unique and individual values, strengths, and potential of each child and family within their program. This module explores how to gather insights and effective strategies to support cultural diversity, linguistic diversity, and ability diversity with all children and families. (2 hours)

This module presents specific strategies to help the family child care provider plan and facilitate exciting experiences for a group of children who have a wide range of interests and abilities. The module includes instructions for specific activities in a variety of learning areas in the typical family child care home. (2 hours)

Cultural awareness and learning experiences for young children are enhanced through exposure to hands-on cooking and tasting activities with ethnic foods. Children are more open to trying new foods from other cultures when they have been involved in the preparation process. In this module, learn strategies to introduce healthy versions of ethnic foods with simple recipe ideas to make with the children. (2 hours)

Those who care for children in their homes provide an important service to parents and to the community. Learn how to establish, operate, and maintain a successful child care business. Also, discover important information about understanding and supporting the developmental needs of each child in your care. (2 hours)

Blocks are the most versatile play material in the family child care home. This module provides practical guidelines and strategies for the home provider to support block play across stages of development. View demonstrations and evaluate resources for make-your-own blocks, and discover ways to communicate with families about the importance of block play. (2 hours)

Learn ways to provide activities, how to physically arrange, and how to equip your family child care early learning program to support the growth and development of children of mixed ages. (2 hours)

Family child care providers face unique challenges in offering and participating in physical activities with the children in their care. This module provides practical, economic solutions to the barriers that can influence a family child care provider's ability to lead successful physical activities whether the issue is space, cost or provider ability. Learn from a leading physical education expert about fun ways to incorporate more physical activity into every day. (2 hours)

A family child care early learning program that supports the growth and development of infants and toddlers needs nurturing caregivers, a healthy and safe environment, good relationships between family and caregiver, and appropriate activities to offer good quality care. This takes planning and knowledge of the growth and development of infants and toddlers. Find ways to enhance your family child care environment and build quality relationships with the infants and toddlers in your care. (2 hours)

A family child care early learning program that supports the growth and development of preschoolers needs nurturing caregivers, a healthy and safe environment, good relationships between family and caregiver, and appropriate activities to offer good quality care. This takes planning and knowledge of the growth and development of preschoolers. Find ways to enhance your family child care environment and build quality relationships with the preschoolers you care for. (2 hours)

Do you wonder about wonder? This lesson presents strategies family child care professionals can use to support inquiry-based learning and play in their homes as they care for children of mixed ages and abilities. Video and print examples highlight exploratory play possibilities from fellow providers. Strategies for “wonder-welcoming” language, equipment, schedules, and experiences are included. (2 hours)

Administrators of early education and school-age programs need to develop skills in business and financial management to ensure long-term sustainability. This module will describe how to write a business plan to guide the operations of a child care program. Participants will also learn how to create a financial management plan (including written financial procedures). Finally, they will learn how to create a one-year operating budget. (2 hours)

Break free from standardized learning plans. Explore a world where plans and possibilities emerge from the minds and enthusiasm of teachers and children living life together. Review child-originated, teacher-framed curricula examples. Discover how to satisfy learning standards and give children choice and flexibility in their experiences while in your care. (2 hours)

Inquiry is about observing, experimenting, questioning and expressing unique ideas--exactly the skills artists, storytellers, inventers, and engineers use. The world is FILLED with objects that grab a child’s attention. Learn how those found objects can be catalysts to investigations and experimentation in a learning space. This lesson is filled with examples, strategies, and helpful curriculum tools to support an educator as they weave found objects experiences into the daily learning routine. (2 hours)

Food allergies are on the rise. Though the reason is not yet clear, key to caring for young children with food allergies is the creation of a plan for preventing allergic reactions and for how to respond to a food allergy emergency. This lesson describes food allergies and what early care and education professionals need to know to ensure the health and safety of children with food allergies. (2 hours)

Food allergies continue to rise. Caring for children with food allergies takes knowledge and vigilance to create a plan for preventing food allergy reactions and how to respond to a food allergy emergency. This course describes food allergies and what early care and education professionals need to know to ensure the health and safety of children with food allergies.(2 hours)

Providing healthy and safe food in child care is a key role for both center and home-based child care providers. Preventing foodborne illness, and making sure children are safe from choking risks and other food-related injuries, requires awareness and planning. This course describes guidelines for food safety practices that will enable child care providers to ensure food is safe for the children in their care. (2 hours)

Providing healthy and safe food in child care is a key role for both center and home-based child care practitioners. Preventing foodborne illness (FBI), and making sure children are safe from choking risks and other food-related injuries, requires awareness and planning. This lesson describes guidelines for food safety practices that will enable child care providers to make food healthy and safe for the children in their care. (2 hours)

Foster and adopted children have experienced some form of trauma even if it has occurred prenatally. As a result, foster and adoptive families may face a variety of challenges related to these early adverse experiences including the transition into their foster or adoptive families. Early care and education professionals who care for these children are an important resource for support and stability. This module provides information for awareness and strategies to strengthen assistance for families who have foster or adopted children in child care. (2 hours)

Restorative practices proactively strengthen relationships, build community, and teach peacekeeping skills. This framework dismisses punitive discipline approaches that lead to suspension and expulsion, relying instead on accountability to the learning community as a tool for teaching children to navigate social problems and take responsibility for repairing harm. This course introduces foundational strategies that prepare children and adults in early learning programs to build community by seeing, listening, and learning from each other. (2 hours)

Family child care professionals are responsible for environments, experiences and interactions that help all children in child care thrive and reach their full potential. The challenge is for the family child care provider to demonstrate how to meet the developmental needs of children of many different ages. In this module, providers can learn predictable ways that children change and learn new skills over time, to give the provider a solid foundation for daily practice and decision-making. (2 hours)

Child care professionals are responsible for environments, experiences and interactions that help all children in child care thrive and reach their full potential. The challenge is for the center child care provider to demonstrate how to meet the developmental needs of children of many different ages. In this module, providers can learn predictable ways that children change and learn new skills over time, to give the provider a solid foundation for daily practice and decision-making. (2 hours)

Planting, growing and harvesting a garden provide opportunities for growth and development in young children on multiple levels. From learning the origin of food to exposure to new and healthy foods, children benefit from the experience. This lesson explores practical ways to garden with children in a variety of settings, offers important tips for success and ideas for incorporating nutrition education. (2 hours)

Research documents the benefits of playing, learning, and simply being outdoors. National and international movements encourage more time in nature. However, this can be challenging for early care professionals. In this lesson, adult facilitators view examples of rural, suburban, and urban programs that support outdoor fun. Grow in confidence, understanding and capacity to support best practices in outdoor play for birth to school-age children. (2 hours)

Learn how to get parents and families involved in your child care program. This lesson provides ideas for reaching out to parents and families and for improving your program. Identify practices for supporting families when their children enter a program and find ideas for building community with staff, parents, families, and children. (2 hours)

Regular cleaning is important for maintaining attractive and healthy conditions in early care and education (ECE) settings. However, some cleaning products are associated with health issues and hazards. Small children are particularly vulnerable from exposure to chemicals in cleaning products because of their size, development, and behaviors. Learn easy ways to keep your facility cleaned, sanitized and disinfected without using hazardous products that might adversely affect children and staff. (4 hours)

Learn why a child’s development can be a key factor in understanding why children bite or are not willing to share. Included are strategies on how to handle several types of biting situations and how to discuss a biting incident with parents. Discover ways to help children learn to take turns and solve problems that involve sharing. (2 hours)

En lugar de simplemente dictar decisiones, este curso de trabajo invita a las personas a pensar y practicar la comunicación sobre los protocolos de salud comunes de cuidado y educación temprana (ECE) y fuera de la escuela (OST). Proporciona herramientas prácticas como declaraciones de manuales, escenarios de práctica de reuniones de personal y hojas de datos familiares que los programas pueden personalizar según sus propias situaciones para mejorar la confianza y el cumplimiento de los protocolos de salud. Los estudiantes estarán capacitados para comunicar el "por qué" e implementar prácticas con las familias de manera culturalmente receptiva. (2 horas)

Even in the United States where there seems to be an abundance of food and easy access to it, the reality is that 47 percent of children under the age of three are in low income families and one in four live in poverty. Children in poverty are almost five times more likely to have poorer health than their peers who are in families with higher income levels. This lesson explores the federal nutrition programs that provide important food and education resources for families in need. (2 hours)

This lesson explores the connection between children’s health and pest control in a child care facility. Creating healthy indoor environments for children includes recognizing situations that may be putting children's health at risk. Learn safer pest control practices to help assure the indoor environment for children is safe using Integrated Pest Management (IPM). (2 hours)

Both pests and pesticides can be harmful to children’s health. Children spend many hours in child care and it is our responsibility to properly manage pests and protect children from the risk of pesticide exposure. In this lesson, learn about several common pests found in child care facilities, how to manage them safely and effectively using Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and about using pesticides safely. (2 hours)

With so many beverage options now available, the choices can be confusing to parents and caregivers. Beverages can contain significant amounts of added sugar and calories, so it is important to make sure that the healthiest choices are provided. Child care providers will learn appropriate beverage options for children in their care, the benefits of healthy beverages and strategies for how best to transition to serving them. (2 hours)

Breastfeeding benefits mothers and babies in many ways, including helping to prevent childhood obesity. Continuing to breastfeed for the recommended amount of time can be challenging, especially when children need to be in child care. Child care providers can learn practical solutions for encouraging and supporting mothers to breastfeed their babies. (2 hours)

Studies show that children who spend more time viewing TV are at an increased risk for overweight and obesity due to increased sedentary activity. Screen time refers to all digital media including TV and can interfere with cognitive development for children under the age of two. Child care providers will learn the best practice recommendations and gain an understanding for why it is important to limit screen time for young children. (2 hours)

Research shows that physical activity provides many benefits for everyone and that it is important for parents and care providers to be good role models. This lesson will help child care providers learn the most up-to-date recommendations for physical activity levels for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, and presents new ways to keep kids moving. (2 hours)

Young children begin to develop food preferences and eating habits that will impact their growth and development. Child care professionals are in a unique position to foster healthy eating habits in young children that will lay the foundation for healthy choices throughout the child’s lifetime. This module explores the importance of nurturing healthy eaters and includes strategies and ideas to implement within early care and education programs. (2 hours)

Healthy Kids, Healthy Future is a nationwide call-to-action that encourages and supports child care and early education providers to make positive changes in order to work toward a healthier future for children. The program is for all types of child care: family care homes, centers, Early Head Start and Head Start, preschool, tribal, military, and faith-based and offers childhood obesity prevention resources and tools to assist child care and preschool providers. (2 hours)

Concentrating on well-being can help program leaders manage workplace stress and alleviate symptoms of burnout. The well-being of leaders is directly tied to the success of their program(s). This course's Six Sides of Well-Being Framework offers insight and tips for boosting resilience, reconnecting with purpose, creating balance, and overcoming burnout.

This lesson covers ways to advocate for and support children with disabilities. As an advocate for children you need to be knowledgeable about the rights, responsibilities, and resources available to children. Discover ways to connect parents and families of children with disabilities to services and empower them to be advocates for their children. (2 hours)

This lesson takes a developmental look at children from infants through preschoolers and the need for varied levels of activity at different ages. Complete a rating scale to rate and compare your level of activity and temperament with those of the children in their care. Learn to assess how well your program meets the needs of active children and how to adapt your program for active children. (2 hours)

This lesson explores the importance of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in order to promote healthy habits in children. Research indicates that 25% of children do not get MVPA during their regular day. For happier, healthier, and stronger children, plus to maintain healthy body weight, discover ways to encourage children to get moving, and be physically active. This lesson reflects the goals and practices of the “I Am Moving, I Am Learning” (IMIL) approach. (2 hours)

This lesson explores the importance of outdoor time and outdoor play in order to promote healthy habits in children. Research shows that children today spend less time playing outdoors than any previous generation. For happier, healthier, and stronger children, plus to maintain healthy body weight, discover ways to encourage them to get outside, get moving, and connect with the natural world. This lesson reflects the goals and practices of the “I Am Moving, I Am Learning” (IMIL) project. (1 hours)

An amazing transformation takes place during the first 2,000 days of a child's life – the time between when a child is born and the first day of kindergarten. (2 hours)

Learning child observation skills can be a powerful tool for solving some of the most difficult problems faced by child care providers. Concerned about a child’s behavior? Want to know how to plan successful activities? Observation skills can help. Learn more about each child and his/her development using the methods of observation in this lesson. This lesson provides examples of good observation techniques and demonstrates skills necessary for useful observations. (2 hours)

High quality inclusion programming supports the education and care of children with disabilities alongside their typically-developing peers. Yet many educators feel that they are not equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for understanding and implementing inclusion practices for the children they care for. What does inclusion mean in an early childhood setting? Begin the inclusion conversation today. Explore the meaning and awareness needed to promote high quality inclusion practices. (2 hours)

This lesson examines the benefits of incorporating science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in out-of-school time (OST) programs. What is meant by STEM as related to work with school age youth? How can STEM-rich learning opportunities be provided in after school programs? Are practitioners nervous about providing STEM activities? This lesson provides ideas and strategies to assist providers in using inquiry-based and experiential learning in OST programs. (2 hours)

Daily routines are the most important times of day for infants and toddlers. Feeding, diapering, and preparation for sleep are one-to-one times that provide ideal opportunities to build and maintain individual relationships with children. This lesson focuses on how to use daily routines to enhance children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and language development. Self-assessments are included to guide learners to evaluate current routine practices and if needed, to make plans for quality improvements. (2 hours)

The emotional and social skills learned as infants and toddlers have lifelong influences on a person’s ability to make friends, control emotions, work through challenges, succeed in school, and nurture healthy family relationships. This module describes best practices to support the development of emotional and social skills in infants and toddlers. Self-assessment tools are provided to evaluate current practices and determine areas for improvement. (2 hours)

Early stages of exploration and interactions among infants and toddlers can include behaviors such as a child grabs toys, pulls hair, hits, pushes, pokes, or bites. This module shares why young children resort to these behaviors, and how professionals can use positive guidance to help children learn to solve problems without hurting others. Assessments of current guidance practices are included to determine if improvements are needed to enhance the quality of care for infants and toddlers. (2 hours)

Colds, stomach viruses, and ear infections top the list of common illnesses for infants and toddlers. Young children in child care centers and homes tend to get common illnesses more frequently than children who are not in group care. In many child care settings, illness moves quickly from one child to another. This lesson offers strategies to reduce the spread of germs in infant/toddler care and helps to assess current practices and develop ways to keep young children and adults healthy. (2 hours)

Current brain research shows that infants’ brains are wired to learn and understand any language, but talking with infants is necessary for them to learn to speak. Discover ways to support language and literacy development in infants and toddlers. Assess current practices and determine whether improvements are needed to build foundations for language and literacy development in the early years of life. (2 hours)

This course will investigate motor skill development for children ages birth to 3. Learners will study the basics of the sensory system and become acquainted with three lesser-known senses and ways children may move to satisfy the cravings of these senses in order to be settled and focused. It will review typical infant-toddler actions like mouthing, carrying, dumping, and climbing that contribute to cognitive growth and brain development, including executive function. Learners will also identify a variety of play schemas typical of the birth-to-3 age range and describe how those schemas provide clues to internal ideas a child is pursuing. And finally, it will explore caregiver responses that support a child’s physical and cognitive development through robust, developmentally appropriate fine and gross motor movements and play opportunities. (2 hours)

Play is a powerful experience for young children because children’s learning happens through their play explorations. This lesson focuses on how infants and toddlers play, the types and stages of play, and what adults can do to enhance children’s play. Guided self-assessments are included to evaluate play materials, the play space, and the adult’s role in play with young children. (2 hours)

A young child’s identity and sense of self are tied to his family. Children thrive when child care professionals and families partner to support each child. This lesson describes the developmental stages of families and how those stages coincide with a child’s development. Learn how to build relationships, to create partnerships with families, and assess current practices to improve the quality of care for infants and toddlers. (2 hours)

Brain development affects all future learning, behavior and health. Children’s experiences shape the ways their brains develop. This lesson describes best practices for early childhood professionals to create experiences that support the development of physical and cognitive skills in infants and toddlers, and to use assessment of current practices to improve the quality of care for young children. (2 hours)

Supervising children is an essential part of a child care professional’s job. In this module professionals will identify and analyze key components of quality supervision practices. Opportunities are available throughout the module to compare current supervision methods with best practices to determine areas for improvement. (2 hours)

When a family enrolls their child in a child care program, they trust that the professionals working with their child will keep him safe. As curious infants and toddlers develop, their desire to explore presents unique safety challenges. This lesson will guide professionals who work with infants and toddlers to assess play spaces, children’s experiences, and current practices to maximize children’s safety. (2 hours)

High quality care for infants and toddlers requires more than meeting children’s basic needs for food and personal care. Quality is closely tied to a professional’s sensitivity and ability to nurture to help children feel safe and secure. This module shares information on best practices to offer sensitive, nurturing, high quality care. Assessments of current practices are included to determine if improvements are needed to enhance the care for infants and toddlers. (2 hours)

Quality interactions set the stage for how children experience learning and supportive relationships with teachers and their peers. How early care and education (ECE) professionals interact with children, and provide instruction within their programs, matters to children's growth and development. Research shows the importance of stimulating, focused interactions starting in infancy. Learn effective strategies to promote meaningful interactions and positive outcomes for children. (2 hours)

(for Center Directors) Creating healthy indoor environments for children includes recognizing situations that may put children’s health at risk, such as poor air quality inside buildings. Learn about specific factors that reduce air quality, how they can affect the children in your program, and practical things directors and staff can do to improve air quality in your facility. (2 hours)