Classroom Support
How to Support Young Children's Development in Classroom
5 ways you can make a difference teaching and caring for little children
Easy, fun ways to help your student thrive.
Mark Milestones
Mark milestones like first steps and first words as your little students grow. Knowing expected developmental milestones (things that usually happen at certain ages) for each age helps you celebrate each child’s growth and also notice when a child does not reach a milestone at the expected time. Don’t worry when this happens, but don’t wait to talk to the child’s family or other professionals either. It’s important to notice and take action.
Building Brains
Be a brain builder by turning everyday activities like snack and lunch time or changing diapers and carpet time into moments that help brains grow. Back and forth, “serve and return” interactions build the brain. Get free tips and ideas to help.
Talk, Read, Sing
Talk, read, and sing to the little ones in your class, even if they are not old enough to talk back yet! It develops communication skills by helping children connect to the people, places, and things around them. Click here for free materials and ideas for simple conversation starters.
Positive Interaction
Focus on having positive back-and-forth interactions with children to help them develop the social-emotional skills needed as they grow. There are ways you can even turn challenging behaviors into positive interactions. Check them out here.
Connect with Families
It’s important to discuss a child’s growth and development with families. You can teach parents how they can be brain builders at home too! If there is a concern about a child’s development, encourage families to ask their health care provider for a developmental screening. Teach your parents about how they can be brain builders at home too!
Help is just around the corner.
Know the signs so you and parents can act early.
Plus get free materials for your classroom.
The CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early” program offers free, research-based resources to help you monitor children from age 2 months to 5 years. They provide free educational materials to share with others, along with online training for teachers with CEU accreditation.
The Mississippi State Department of Health offers free training for child care professionals. Check out their training calendar here to find a training being offered near you: MSDH Professional Development
