Agrilife Extension Resources

Children identify a problem, use stuff to make stuff that does stuff to solve the problem. Learn about research related to engineering design with preschoolers and ideas/activities to encourage and support children in becoming junior engineers. Planning, building, and testing out are the engineering skills of the future.

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.

Technology is everywhere! How can we prepare preschool-age children for a future that hasn’t been invented yet? Explore research and trends in technology to make the teaching and learning process more engaging. Discover strategies to help children learn science, engineering, and mathematics using more than just computers.

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.

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.

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.

“Getting the wiggles out” is not the sole purpose of outdoor play. This course helps teachers understand the importance of outdoor play and how to make it a priority. Safety aspects such as playground standards

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.

Preschool children are capable of understanding concepts of living and non-living things. Explore ways to support children’s observation skills related to the life sciences. Delve into inquiry-based learning activities to encourage critical thinking. Use STEM concepts to test theories on living things and non-living things.