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Welcome to our Blog! 

The NAEYC blog aims to increase general awareness and engage the public in thoughtful discussion around topics and themes related to early childhood education. We share NAEYC initiatives and explore what’s new, upcoming, timely, or topical in the early childhood field.

We have expanded the focus of the blog to also include content that families might find useful. Tip: to view blog posts intended for families only, use the “Refine” box to the right and click on the box  next to "NAEYC General" and then select “For Families Blog”.

Note: Blog posts do not necessarily reflect the views of NAEYC.

preschool
Blog
September 24, 2024

Preparing Young Children for School

In this blog, Rebecca Newman-Gonchar shares relevant findings from a recently released practice guide that underscores the importance of developmentally appropriate practice during back to school time.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Rebecca Newman-Gonchar
Members Only
a person using a computer
Blog
September 17, 2021

Ten Things I Learned in the Virtual Classroom that I’ll Use This Year

After using hand-on learning in my virtual classroom, here are key ideas I learned while teaching in the pandemic Zoom classroom that I will be carrying with me as we begin the upcoming school year. 

Authored by

Authored by: 
Julia Luckenbill
Members Only
A young child reading a book.
Blog
June 10, 2021

A Road Forward: Five Democratic Life Skills for a Civil Society

Five democratic life skills provide a model for the holistic education and development of children, guiding them along a continuum from showing resilience in the face of trauma to demonstrating intelligent decision-making as members of society.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Dan Gartrell
Members Only
a parent painting with a child
Blog
January 4, 2021

Focus on DAP: Joyful Learning in a Tough Year

What does engaged joyful learning look like when many child care centers around the country are struggling, and educators, families, and children are navigating virtual school and social distancing?

Authored by

Authored by: 
Susan Friedman, Julia Luckenbill, Nicol Russell
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Mother and son sitting on a picnic table outside
Blog
September 4, 2020

Focusing on Social and Emotional Needs – 6 Programs Begin the New School Year

As child development programs re-open or begin virtual interactions, teachers and families will need to make enhanced, intentional, targeted efforts to ensure those relationships are meaningful and individualized to respond to each child’s specific needs.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Derry Koralek
Members Only
Mother and daughter hugging
Blog
September 4, 2020

Social Emotional Learning and Addressing Trauma

Social- emotional learning (SEL) is the foundation and heartbeat of the classroom. Students need to feel connected, safe, and secure, before we even begin to address academics. T

Authored by

Authored by: 
Monica Warren
Members Only
Father and son saying goodbye outside of school
Blog
September 4, 2020

The Comfort of Familiar Routines

Young children find a goodbye ritual very comforting.  Families can make up a love ritual such as a secret handshake and a kiss. Reading books about separation such as The Kissing Hand can also provide comfort to children

Authored by

Authored by: 
Julia Luckenbill
Members Only
Male teacher in a classroom at a desk
Blog
September 4, 2020

Addressing Social and Emotional Needs of Teachers and Parents

Through our virtual programming for both teachers and parents, our relationship-based approach that is already key to our programming was ramped up to identify, acknowledge, and attend to children’s emotions. 

Authored by

Authored by: 
Stephen P.  Zwolak
Members Only
Child plays with bubbles outside
Blog
July 15, 2020

Finding Threads of Inquiry

Teachers using an emergent inquiry curriculum are responsive to children, planning provocations around questions they have developed that challenge the children toward the edges of their own understandings.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Jane Tingle Broderick, Seong Bock Hong
Members Only
mother and daughter embracing each other
Blog
May 27, 2020

Why Making Mistakes Now May Benefit Us Later

That was a good time to remind myself that making mistakes actually makes you smarter, especially if you try to fix the mistake. Brain science backs this up.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Jessica Mercer Young
Members Only
children and adult hands layered one on top of the other.
Blog
May 21, 2020

Conversations that Matter: Talking with Children About Big World Issues

Children rely on adults to help them figure out what things mean. Children’s curiosity, puzzlement, and anxiety provide rich opportunities for adults to respond to their attempts to understand what they observe happening in their world.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Julie Olsen Edwards, Louise Derman-Sparks
Members Only
Adult and child hands together
Blog
June 26, 2019

NAEYC's Statement on #FamiliesBelongTogether

On June 7, we joined 540 national and state organizations, including many NAEYC affiliates, in writing a letter to the Department of Homeland Security clearly stating our opposition to the zero-tolerance practice of separating children from their parents
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Diverse group of students sitting in a classroom
Blog
January 22, 2019

Innovation in Refugee Children’s Education

At NAEYC’s 2018 Annual Conference, a highlighted session by Sesame Workshop and the International Rescue Committee, shared the most recent and innovative early childhood education initiatives for young children affected by the Syrian refugee crisis.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Dakota Saunders
Members Only
Teacher and students with hands up
Blog
December 23, 2018

A Death in the Family: Helping Young Children Understand

Supporting children and their families as they cope with the death of someone close to them is never easy. If you ever need to support a child at such a time, I encourage you to refer to this list of resources.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Michael Coventry
Members Only
Parent teacher conference
Blog
November 13, 2018

Five Easy Ways to Build Authentic and Genuine Relationships

The easiest way to help support effective behavior management is through authentic relationships with your students. Here are some ideas you can use to build real relationships with children and families in your program.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Colleen Schmit
Members Only
Adult and child hands together
Blog
October 26, 2018

Early Childhood Educators #ProtectFamilies

As an NAEYC member and an early childhood educator, we want to share with you some ways to stay informed and continue to advocate for immigrant families and children in your communities and beyond.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Rhian Evans Allvin
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