Agrilife Extension Resources

Understanding the meaning and implication of developmentally appropriate practices in a classroom, as well as teacher/child interactions based on those practices is introduced. Effective characteristics of developmentally appropriate practices, the value of intentional teaching and strategies to use are also introduced.

Classroom management refers to skills teachers use daily to supervise and organize time, materials and activities, while keeping children safe. From the rules and routines to the activities, each component needs to be planned and followed through with children to ensure they are learning through play throughout the day.

Why and how to strengthen language through responsive and effective interactions with infants and toddlers helps teachers understand the importance of early language experiences. Learn ways to promote infants’ and toddlers’ language development. Multiple strategies for effective, responsive communications are given.

In this course, Early Childhood Educators (ECE) will be provided an overview of social emotional learning in preschoolers with special emphasis on teaching children to learn, regulate emotions and be resilient.

Early language experiences and ways to promote language development are critical. Key components necessary for high quality infant and toddler programs, various language activities done within routines are discussed. Effective book reading strategies and music and movement activities for infants and toddlers are provided.

Learning centers provide early childhood classrooms the perfect environment for children to actively plan, try, pretend, and make new discoveries. Effective centers help children develop through play, by themselves and with peers. The purpose and process of how to develop, build and manage a center are discussed.

During play, children escape the constraints of reality where the usual meanings of objects can be ignored and new meanings substituted. Explore the definitions and theories important to the concept of play, appropriate play materials and how to support learning and play in early childhood classrooms.

Developing a strong foundation in mathematics during the preschool years with high expectations regardless of gender, race, socioeconomic or language background is critical for all preschool children. Specific math materials which allow children to explore mathematical ideas throughout the classroom are provided.

Developmentally appropriate preschool STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) experiences give young children opportunities to develop divergent thinking, problem solving, and cause and effect. Experiences have great potential to affect brain development during the crucial early childhood window of opportunity.