[Briana Lomeli-Smith]

I like to keep the schedule simple, consistent, and predictable so children know what comes next. I use a mix of active and quiet times, allow flexibility for children’s needs, and include plenty of play. Visual schedules with pictures or charts can also help children follow along and feel more independent.

[Briana Lomeli-Smith]

Yes, a good early learning environment should feel safe, welcoming, and inclusive so that every child feels they belong. It’s also important to provide a balance of structured and open-ended activities that encourage exploration, creativity, and social interaction. Consistency in routines, along with supportive relationships, helps children build confidence and a love for learning.

[Briana Lomeli-Smith]

A good way to approach a parent about developmental screening is to start by sharing the child’s strengths and positive qualities, so the conversation starts out as supportive rather than critical. Use clear, objective language based on the observations you documented and avoid personal opinions. Then explain that developmental screenings are a routine tool to better understand how children are growing and to identify areas where extra support might be needed. End with that you are working in a partnership with this family and can connect them to more helpful resources, if needed.

[Briana Lomeli-Smith]

Observing and documenting a child’s development helps us as early learning providers because we get to see what they are capable of doing and documenting it allows us to look back and see how they have improved or haven’t improved, and we can scaffold our lessons or centers to reflect what they may need additional help with. If a child needs more help with fine motor skills, setting up activities like moving cotton balls with clothing pins or tweezers, using a paint brush to paint, coloring and focusing on holding the crayon or marker correctly, paying with building blocks or even playing outside.

[Briana Lomeli-Smith]

I think that any screen time before 2-year-old at a childcare center can be avoided easily. If you want to play a song that from a movie, then you can just find the audio and have a dance party instead of showing the video clip. Any shows that have become popular like Mrs. Rachel you can find the songs online. As for older, like 3 and up. I think screen time is okay with it being limited. Like you can watch one video a day or watch an episode of a show every Fridays. Limit it to special occasions and not an everyday occurrence.

[Briana Lomeli-Smith]

As early learning providers, we can create a “serve and return” environment in our classrooms by naming objects to show children that things have names, giving them our full attention (along with all the other children in the class), taking turns when talking or playing, and listening to their cues when they are ready to end one activity and begin another. These practices can be done throughout the day, not just during playtime.