Upcoming Events and Celebrations
Our Content and Training Team regularly reviews new research and updates to national guidelines to integrate into current courses and develop new professional development offerings. Below you will find more information on the webinar we will be offering this spring as well as several other national events that celebrate the well-being of children, families, and professionals.
Live Leadership Webinar Rescheduled for May
The Virtual Lab School (VLS) team has rescheduled the February 2025 Live Leadership Webinar (LLW) on Setting the Stage for Positive Guidance for May 21, 2025 at 11:00am EST. In this webinar, we will discuss why positive guidance is critical for all child and youth programs and examine leadership’s role in setting the stage for these practices. We will focus on how program leaders can help establish and maintain a commitment to universal supports that provide the foundation for positive guidance to thrive in child and youth programs. A news item with the registration link for this webinar will be made available in April 2025.
Celebrating Children, Families, and Professionals
National Nutrition Month
The start of the year is the perfect time to focus on health, growth, and development—for yourself, families, and the children you serve. March is National Nutrition Month, a time to highlight the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. Established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, this event aims to raise awareness about the benefits of healthy eating and promote lifelong habits that support overall well-being.
It’s a great opportunity to kick off the quarter with engaging activities like cooking demonstrations, tasting new foods, and learning about balanced meals. Encouraging families to share nutritious recipes and ideas helps build lasting, healthy habits early in the year. View resources and ideas for celebrating and promoting healthy practices at EatRight.org.
Week of the Young Child
In April, celebrate the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Week of the Young Child (April 5–11, 2025), a week dedicated to highlighting the importance of early childhood education. This is an ideal opportunity to engage families and showcase the creativity, growth, and development that make this stage so crucial. Find an overview of the event, weekly themes, and supportive resources at NAEYC.org.
Month of the Military Child
April is also the Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize the unique challenges and resilience of military families. Look for a future news item with more details on how to celebrate and support military-connected children during this important month.
Highlights from the Field and Recent Research
Supporting Early Language Development in Preschool
The Promoting Preschoolers’ Early Language Learning (ProPELL) project, a recent study from the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy at The Ohio State University, reveals critical insights into fostering language development in preschool-aged children. The study highlighted that early language skills are foundational not only for kindergarten readiness but also for long-term academic achievement, particularly in reading by third grade. Researchers found that children’s language development is directly influenced by the quality and frequency of language interactions they experience, making early childhood classrooms a critical environment for fostering these skills. Key insights from the study include:
- Early language skills are strongly linked to later academic success, including kindergarten readiness and third grade reading achievement.
- Classrooms that offer frequent and varied language opportunities help children develop stronger language skills.
- Teachers’ intentional planning and decision making are crucial in supporting language learning.
- Educators who focus on helping children express themselves and “find their voices” are more successful in promoting language development.
- Policy alone is not a primary driver of teachers’ language learning practices; instead, it’s a teacher’s approach and interactions that matter most.
These findings emphasize the critical role teachers play in fostering early language skills, showing that teacher-driven practices are key to supporting children’s long-term academic success.
To learn more and read the full brief, visit ProPELL Language Learning in Preschool Classrooms.
March Webinar Offers Strengths-Based Approaches to Supporting Different Temperaments
Early Childhood Investigations Webinars hosted a webinar on March 19, focused on understanding and supporting young children with challenging temperament traits. This session explored the nine key temperament traits and provided effective, strengths-based strategies to adapt caregiving approaches. Curriculum specialist Raelene Ostberg, M.Ed., discussed how mismatched adult-child temperaments can increase stress and shared practical methods to help all children thrive in group settings. The webinar was designed for early childhood educators and caregivers who want to create a supportive environment for all children.
Find the recording on earlychildhoodwebinars.com.
The Impact of Student–Teacher Bonds on Early Development
It is well known that early childhood caregivers have an enormous impact on children’s development, making relationships with children a critical part of the work being done in Child Development Centers (CDCs) and Child and Youth Programs (CYPs). Research conducted at The Ohio State University further emphasizes this connection by exploring how strong bonds between students and teachers in kindergarten through third grade can lead to long-term academic and social benefits. These relationships not only enhance educational outcomes but also promote emotional and behavioral growth for children as they get older. Dr. Arya Ansari suggests that educators practice active listening, show empathy, validate emotions, encourage collaboration, and personalize interactions with children, as these practices have all been shown to strengthen caregiver relationships with young children. Dr. Ansari also emphasizes the importance of adequate support for teachers from school administration and collaboration with families to support strong relationships between educators and young children.