Playful Possibilities with Tuff Trays! This October, our educators participated in a dynamic Professional Development session led by Rachel Waff from Becker's School Supplies. Rachel inspired our team with creative strategies for using Tuff Trays—versatile tools that spark hands-on, imaginative learning in early childhood classrooms. Key Takeaways: • Balancing Play-Based and Teacher-Led Activities: Teachers explored how Tuff Trays can support both structured lessons and open-ended play, helping children develop problem-solving, early math, and science skills while fostering social interaction. • Sensory Play for All Learners: Rachel emphasized the importance of multisensory experiences, showing how sensory play can increase engagement and support diverse learning needs. • Loose Parts & Storytelling: Educators learned to use everyday materials—like recycled items and natural objects—to encourage creativity and storytelling, making learning relevant and fun. • Managing Mess & Maximizing Exploration: Practical tips were shared for keeping activities safe, organized, and accessible, including ideas for outdoor play and collaborative resource sharing among classrooms. • Inclusive Practices: The session highlighted universal design principles, ensuring that classroom environments are welcoming and engaging for every child, including infants and toddlers. We’re excited to bring these playful possibilities into our classrooms, making learning more engaging and meaningful for every child. Thank you, Rachel Waff, for your expertise and inspiration! Parents—look out for photos and stories of our students exploring, creating, and learning with Tuff Trays. If you have questions or want to get involved, reach out to your child’s teacher! #ProfessionalDevelopment #EarlyChildhoodEducation #PlayfulLearning #TuffTrays #HandsOnLearning #RachelWaff #BeckersSchoolSupply

Playful Possibilities with Tuff Trays! This October, our educators participated in a dynamic Professional Development session led by Rachel Waff from Becker's School Supplies. Rachel inspired our team with creative strategies for using Tuff Trays—versatile tools that spark hands-on, imaginative learning in early childhood classrooms. Key Takeaways: • Balancing Play-Based and Teacher-Led Activities: Teachers explored how Tuff Trays can support both structured lessons and open-ended play, helping children develop problem-solving, early math, and science skills while fostering social interaction. • Sensory Play for All Learners: Rachel emphasized the importance of multisensory experiences, showing how sensory play can increase engagement and support diverse learning needs. • Loose Parts & Storytelling: Educators learned to use everyday materials—like recycled items and natural objects—to encourage creativity and storytelling, making learning relevant and fun. • Managing Mess & Maximizing Exploration: Practical tips were shared for keeping activities safe, organized, and accessible, including ideas for outdoor play and collaborative resource sharing among classrooms. • Inclusive Practices: The session highlighted universal design principles, ensuring that classroom environments are welcoming and engaging for every child, including infants and toddlers. We’re excited to bring these playful possibilities into our classrooms, making learning more engaging and meaningful for every child. Thank you, Rachel Waff, for your expertise and inspiration! Parents—look out for photos and stories of our students exploring, creating, and learning with Tuff Trays. If you have questions or want to get involved, reach out to your child’s teacher! #ProfessionalDevelopment #EarlyChildhoodEducation #PlayfulLearning #TuffTrays #HandsOnLearning #RachelWaff #BeckersSchoolSupply

🎉New Article: Recognizing Play Schemas Can Transform Your Early Learning Practice Children’s seemingly random play—dumping, spinning, transporting—actually reveals deep patterns of play. In this new article, Heather Bernt-Santy explores how understanding play schemas can help educators better support learning and reframe “challenging” behaviors as purposeful exploration. 🪣 Children transporting buckets or materials? That’s the transporting schema. 🧱 Knocking down block towers? Could be the trajectory schema — it’s about movement, force, and direction. 🌀 Children crawling under tables, spinning, or climbing? That’s orientation & perspective. 💡 Key insight: When we design environments and expectations around children’s play schemas, we empower discovery instead of restricting it. 👉 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eyGt-FGM #EarlyLearning #PlaySchemas #ChildDevelopment #CommunityPlaythings

Thursday Teaching Tips for Our Preschool classrooms and beyond Every Child...Everyday! Using Clear Expectations and Visual Supports to help all learners thrive! 💡✨ 🖼️ Visual Schedules – Post picture-based routines so children can see what’s coming next and feel confident during transitions. ✋ Behavior Cue Cards – Simple visuals like a 🛑 stop sign for “pause” or 👍 thumbs up for “good choice” remind students of classroom expectations in a positive way. 🗣️ Simple Language – Keep directions short and clear: “First clean up, then line up.” This helps children understand and follow directions with success! When we make expectations visible and easy to understand, we create calm, predictable classrooms where every child can shine! 🌟 These small changes will make MIGHTY moves in your teaching and learning spaces. #EarlyChildhoodEducation #HeadStart #ElementarySchool #MiddleSchool #HighSchool #PositiveBehavior #TeachingTips #EveryChildEveryDay

🌈 Want a Kindergarten Classroom Kids Love Walking Into? Creating a positive environment isn't just about posters and tidy bins, it's about connection, structure, and emotional safety. At Outer Limits, we believe every child thrives when they feel seen, supported, and included. 💛 In our latest blog, we share 10 simple, effective ways to boost your classroom environment, including: ✔️ Greeting students by name each morning ✔️ Using clear, kind rules that kids actually remember ✔️ Giving students voice and choice throughout the day These small strategies build trust, boost focus, and help kids feel excited to learn and they’re easy to start right away. 👉 Read the full guide for more classroom-ready tips: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gsTQbCw3 #OuterLimitsSchool #KindergartenClassroom #EarlyEducationTips #SEL #PositiveClassroom #TucsonEducators #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #TeacherInspiration

🚀 Beyond the 3-Hour Exam: The Future is Now! The time for testing a year of learning in a short, high-stakes exam is over. The future of education demands that students use Digital Portfolios to demonstrate their Growth, Teamwork, Empathy, and Creativity. The focus is shifting from "How much did you remember?" to "What did you create?"—making schools laboratories for action, not just archives for facts. Tomorrow's schools will reward DOERS, not MEMORIZERS. Share this vision with others! . . . [school, parents, students, preschool, school life, preschool fun, right school, best school, best preschool, education, awareness, guide, choose preschool]

EdWeek recently highlighted the growing movement to reintroduce play-based learning in early childhood classrooms. The reason is clear: when students learn through play, they’re not just having fun. They’re developing critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills that last. At RoboKind, we’ve built that philosophy into every part of our Full Foundations curriculum. With support from our Virtual Avatar Teaching Assistants, teachers can bring play-based, evidence-driven lessons to life in literacy, numeracy, and social skills without adding to their workload. The result? Real learning that feels joyful. Real progress that’s measurable. Real classrooms that work for teachers and students alike. Explore how RoboKind is redefining play-based instruction for today’s classrooms: https://lnkd.in/gM3qgfwn

EDceptional and Get L.I.T. are partnering to improve literacy outcomes for Rochester students by combining strong, data-driven classroom instruction with engaging out-of-school programming. The collaboration is designed to ensure that every child—both during and beyond the school day—has the tools, encouragement, and community support needed to become a confident, capable reader. Learn more at: https://bit.ly/47VAofF Sebrone (See'brin) O. Johnson, Clianda Florence

Third-grade teacher Trinity Riggle hears '6-7' twenty times a day. Exit tickets get zeros. The viral chant won't stop. This TikTok trend has moved from phones to classrooms. Students can't focus. Teachers are struggling to compete with digital dopamine. The impact goes beyond classroom disruption: • Students receive zeros on assignments due to constant interruptions • Choir classes derailed by recurring chants • Darker content emerging with explicit references • Teachers report 24/7 information overload in students Baltimore County responded with "Off and Away, Every School, Every Day!" No phones during school hours. The results? Noticeable gains in student engagement. Some educators are fighting back with tactile solutions: 📚 Real books instead of screens 🖍️ Crayons and hands-on activities 🧸 Traditional toys for creativity The challenge isn't just viral trends. It's helping students develop sustained attention in a world designed for instant gratification. Educators need support beyond school walls. Parents and communities must work together to create focused learning environments. Screen time policies work. But they're just the first step. How do we help students rediscover the joy of deep, focused learning? #EducationTechnology #DigitalWellness #ClassroomManagement 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲꞉ https://lnkd.in/gDBaf-6h

Third-grade teacher Trinity Riggle hears '6-7' twenty times a day. Exit tickets get zeros. The viral chant won't stop. This TikTok trend has moved from phones to classrooms. Students can't focus. Teachers are struggling to compete with digital dopamine. The impact goes beyond classroom disruption: • Students receive zeros on assignments due to constant interruptions • Choir classes derailed by recurring chants • Darker content emerging with explicit references • Teachers report 24/7 information overload in students Baltimore County responded with "Off and Away, Every School, Every Day!" No phones during school hours. The results? Noticeable gains in student engagement. Some educators are fighting back with tactile solutions: 📚 Real books instead of screens 🖍️ Crayons and hands-on activities 🧸 Traditional toys for creativity The challenge isn't just viral trends. It's helping students develop sustained attention in a world designed for instant gratification. Educators need support beyond school walls. Parents and communities must work together to create focused learning environments. Screen time policies work. But they're just the first step. How do we help students rediscover the joy of deep, focused learning? #EducationTechnology #DigitalWellness #ClassroomManagement 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲꞉ https://lnkd.in/girmuby9