Day: February 1, 2024

ChildCare Education Institute Launches CUR139: Incorporating Nature-Based Learning Experiences

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ChildCare Education Institute® (CCEI), one of the largest online training providers dedicated exclusively to the early care and education workforce, is pleased to introduce its newest course, CUR139: Incorporating Nature-Based Learning Experiences, authored by Dr. Rachel A. Larimore.

Due to many factors, children are spending much less time outdoors, playing and exploring nature. Scientists have repeatedly documented the benefits of nature on both physical and mental health. This course will explore the benefits of spending time in nature. Learners will discover how early childhood educators can structure the day, prepare learning spaces, plan activities, and engage children in nature-based learning experiences.

Early education program leaders worldwide are becoming more enthusiastic and enlightened about the benefits of nature-based programs. According to the Natural Start Alliance, a professional association of nature-based early childhood educators, there are more than 850 nature-based preschools in the United States today. These are programs that self-identify as nature being core to their curriculum.

The great thing about nature is that it is all around us, whether in an urban, suburban, or rural community. Teachers can encourage learning with nature by ensuring children have frequent, positive experiences outside. Further, teachers can build on those experiences throughout the day, including when the group returns indoors.  The key is to find open-ended, developmentally appropriate activities for young children and connect to your place in the world. After all, nature-based education is rooted in play and place.

“Whether your setting is rural or urban, outside often or outside only occasionally, my goal with this course is that you’ll be inspired to connect young children with nature and to provide you tangible ideas to make it happen,” says Dr. Rachel A. Larimore.

Dr. Rachel A. Larimore is an educator, consultant, speaker, researcher, and author. Her work focuses on the intentional integration of nature to support young children’s holistic development by learning with nature to expand their worlds and live rich, full lives. She has written multiple books including Establishing a Nature-Based Preschool, Preschool Beyond Walls: Blending Early Childhood Education and Nature-Based Learning, and the forthcoming Evaluating Nature: Evaluating Natureness: Measuring the Quality of Nature-based Classrooms in Pre-k Through 3rd Grade. Rachel is the founder and Chief Visionary of Samara Early Learning, an organization focused on helping early childhood educators start nature-based schools or add nature-based approaches into their existing program. Prior to founding Samara, she spent more than a decade starting and directing one of the first nature-based preschools in the United States.

CUR139: Incorporating Nature-Based Learning Experiences is a two-hour, beginner-level course and grants 0.2 IACET CEU upon successful completion.  Current CCEI users with active, unlimited annual subscriptions can register for professional development courses at no additional cost when logged in to their CCEI account. Users without subscriptions can purchase child care training courses as block hours through CCEI online enrollment.

For more information on these courses, as well as CCEI’s entire catalog of 200+ offerings, click here or call 1.800.499.9907, prompt 3, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST

About ChildCare Education Institute, a StraighterLine Company

ChildCare Education Institute® provides high-quality, distance education certificates and child care training programs in an array of child care settings, including preschool centers, family child care, prekindergarten classrooms, nanny care, online daycare training and more. Over 200+ English and Spanish child care training courses are available online to meet licensing, recognition program, and Head Start Requirements. CCEI also has online certification programs that provide the coursework requirement for national credentials including the CDA, Director and Early Childhood Credentials. CCEI, a Council for Professional Recognition approved training partner, is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and as an IACET Accredited Provider, offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. Visit www.cceionline.com for more information.

In a Digital Word, Teaching Tech Skills to Younger Children is a Requisite

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Technology changes at an incredible pace. New technology emerges daily and involves almost every aspect of our daily routines. Our preschoolers have been born into this new digital world and are exposed to this technology before they even make it into our classrooms. As preschool educators, we are tasked with teaching them how to make their way in their world. This now includes teaching children as young as preschoolers the new tech skills the world requires.

Learning computer science, how to code and the computational thinking skills associated with it is of great benefit to our young students. These skills help develop and foster problem-solving skills, logical thinking, social-emotional skills, and many others that translate directly into every other portion of our curriculum. The concepts learned and skills developed will help our students later learn more difficult and sophisticated programming and coding.

Why is it important for our preschoolers to learn programming and coding? Not only do we need to teach them about the technology they use daily, but how to use it and how to make it work. Preschool educators have to lay the foundation of knowledge for the workforce of tomorrow. Many of the jobs of today and the jobs of the future require computer science knowledge. Jobs in all fields are becoming very technical and require varying degrees of knowledge in computer science. We are charged with preparing our young children for this digital future.

Here are some resources to explore that examine the skills and jobs of the future (good luck finding one that doesn’t require a solid computer science foundation):

As the world around us changes, so must our curriculum. We have to teach our students all of the skills that the world they live in requires. Computer science has become one of those requirements. Technology and how to make it work can be intimidating if we are not knowledgeable in these areas. Developing these skills and knowledge of the concepts of computer science must begin in preschool. Ensuring that today’s preschoolers begin learning and attaining this knowledge so that they can confidently navigate through their digital world has become a requisite.

Best of luck!

Tips for Promoting Inclusion in the Classroom

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Fostering a Sense of Belonging: Tips for Promoting Inclusion in the Classroom

As preschool teachers, one of our most important goals is understanding how to create an inclusive classroom. An inclusive learning environment nurtures a sense of belonging, respect and value for every child. It’s essential for teachers to actively work towards this daily.

Inclusion in the classroom goes beyond simply having a diverse group of students. It’s about creating a learning space where all differences are embraced, and every child is given equal opportunities to meet their educational and developmental goals. An inclusive learning environment recognizes the individual needs of each child and provides support to meet those needs.

This blog explores effective strategies for inclusion in the classroom, ensuring every child feels included and valued, as well as a number of activities that can be incorporated into your lesson plans so all students have equal opportunities to learn and succeed.

How to Be Inclusive in the Classroom      

As preschool teachers, your role extends beyond teaching basic skills; it involves creating a classroom environment where every student feels valued and understood. Below are strategies to enhance the inclusive learning environment in your classroom.

Diversify teaching methods:  Embrace a variety of teaching methods to cater to different learning styles. This includes storytelling, music, art and digital learning tools. By diversifying your teaching approach, you address the varied ways children process and absorb information, which is key for creating an inclusive classroom environment.

Cultural and linguistic inclusion: Incorporate books, music and art from different cultures into your lesson plans, and celebrate various festivals and traditions. This not only promotes inclusion in the classroom but also broadens your students’ worldview.

Inclusive play and socialization: Design play activities that encourage collaboration and understanding among children from different backgrounds. Use games that require teamwork and foster a sense of community.

By diversifying teaching methods, embracing cultural and linguistic diversity and fostering inclusive play and socialization, you cater to the various ways children learn and interact. These approaches not only align with creating an inclusive environment in the classroom but also enrich the educational experience for all students, setting a strong foundation for their lifelong learning journey.

Activities to Promote Inclusion in the Classroom

One of the most effective tools for creating a more inclusive classroom is engaging children in activities and games that foster understanding, empathy and collaboration. These activities are not only fun, they are crucial for promoting developmental growth and inclusivity among young learners.

Below are ten games and activities designed to nurture an inclusive environment, each tailored to enhance various aspects of children’s developmental needs while celebrating diversity and teamwork.

World culture show and tell: Children bring an item or story related to their cultural background and share it with the class. This activity allows children to express their identity and learn about different cultures, fostering empathy and social awareness.

Friendship circle: A daily routine where children sit in a circle, and each child shares something good about another. This activity encourages positive social interactions and helps build a sense of community and respect among classmates.

Sensory scavenger hunt: Students explore their environment using different senses. This activity is great for sensory development and encourages exploration and cooperation, allowing children with various sensory processing abilities to participate equally.

Barrier-free sports: Adapted sports activities that allow children of all abilities to participate, like seated volleyball or balloon tennis. In addition to promoting inclusivity, teaching children about teamwork and adapting to different abilities, these sports also  promote physical development.

Storytime with diverse books: Reading books that include diverse characters and stories. This activity exposes children to different perspectives and lifestyles, promoting empathy as well as language development.

Music from around the world: Listening and dancing to music from various cultures. This exposes children to global diversity, encourages rhythm and promotes gross motor skills.

“All About Me” posters: Children create posters showcasing their interests, family and background. This activity encourages self-expression and respect for diversity, helping children appreciate each other’s uniqueness.

Cooperative building challenges: Using blocks or other materials, children work in teams to build a structure based on a theme. This activity fosters teamwork, creativity and problem-solving skills, emphasizing collaborative learning.

Role-playing games: Children enact scenarios from everyday life or stories, taking on different roles. This encourages empathy, imagination and understanding of various social situations and perspectives.

Emotion charades: Your little learners act out different emotions and others guess the emotion. This game is excellent for emotional development, helping children recognize and understand different feelings, fostering emotional intelligence and empathy.

Interested in learning more about creating an inclusive classroom? CCEI offers a number of courses on this topic such as Creating a Multicultural Environment, An Introduction to Inclusion and Children with Special Needs and more.

Click here to learn about all of CCEI’s 200+ courses to help you become the best version of yourself!