A joyful young girl at school smiling and raising her hand against a purple background with playful geometric shapes, embodying the essence of play based learning. Purple banner with an image to the right of two children smiling and raising their hands.

The Confident Classroom

Inspiration and resources for early
childhood educators

Highlights Early Learning works hand in hand with preschool educators to nurture young
children’s curiosity, creativity, caring, and confidence. This collection is filled with time saving
tips and solutions that empower center directors and teachers to create educational
environments where young learners can become their best selves.

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Kindergarten Readiness = Kindness
Kindergarten Readiness = Kindness

When most people think of kindergarten readiness, they picture letter recognition, counting skills, or the ability to sit in a circle and follow directions. While those are important, they rest on a deeper — and often overlooked — foundation: social skills and emotional intelligence.

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Teachers, Do These 7 Things Now to Prepare for a Successful School Year
Teachers, Do These 7 Things Now to Prepare for a Successful School Year
Here are 7 organizational tips for teachers that will make for a smooth and organized transition to the new school year.  
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9 Ways Preschool Center Directors Can Set New Teachers Up for Success
9 Ways Preschool Center Directors Can Set New Teachers Up for Success
Here are 9 ways Center Directors can set up new teachers for success and give your preschool education center an edge over the competition. 
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Educator Highlights: Angela Malabet, Executive Director, Shell’s Early Learning Center in Milton, DE
Educator Highlights: Angela Malabet, Executive Director, Shell’s Early Learning Center in Milton, DE
Mother-daughter duo Lichell Isaac and Angela Malabet, along with their dedicated team of educators across four Shell’s Early Learning Centers in Delaware, inspire a love of learning through play. Discover how their approach aligns with Highlights Early Learning and brings joy to their classrooms.
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Educator Highlights: Julia Contizano, Director of Gladden Community House Preschool, Columbus, OH
Educator Highlights: Julia Contizano, Director of Gladden Community House Preschool, Columbus, OH

Julia Contizano and the dedicated team at Gladden Community House Preschool in Columbus, OH embrace play-based learning to support the growth of their little learners. Discover how their approach aligns with Highlights Early Learning through the Kindness Connections enrichment kit.

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Educator Highlights: Elysse Hollis, Co-Director of Valley School in Van Nuys, CA
Educator Highlights: Elysse Hollis, Co-Director of Valley School in Van Nuys, CA

Elysse Hollis from Valley School in California fosters a love of learning through play, exploration, and laughter. Discover how the school's approach aligns with Highlights Early Learning products and brings hands-on engagement to preschoolers.

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5 Tips for Successful Preschool Classroom Management
5 Tips for Successful Preschool Classroom Management
It’s important to clearly establish and consistently stick to classroom policies and procedures when working with children. Here are 5 teacher-approved methods of successful preschool classroom management.
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How to Plan a Successful Preschool Back-to-School Night
How to Plan a Successful Preschool Back-to-School Night
Preschool Back-to-School Night is the perfect time to hone relationships with families while giving them a glimpse into the daily happenings in the classroom. Here are over 15 ideas to ensure a successful and productive Preschool Back-to-School Night.  
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9 Ways to Improve Teacher Retention at Your Preschool
9 Ways to Improve Teacher Retention at Your Preschool
Here are 9 ways preschool program directors can improve teacher retention at preschools and early childhood education centers.  
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Educator Highlights: Jennifer Ey, Founder, Inspired Education Consulting, LLC, Columbus, OH
Educator Highlights: Jennifer Ey, Founder, Inspired Education Consulting, LLC, Columbus, OH

Educator and literacy consultant Jennifer Ey, Founder of Inspired Education Consulting, has helped bring Highlights Hello Library books to over 125 classrooms in Columbus City Schools. Discover how Hello Library is a smart, impactful investment in early childhood education.

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Educator Highlights: Crys Stahl, Regional Director, All Around Children, Ohio
Educator Highlights: Crys Stahl, Regional Director, All Around Children, Ohio

Discover how Crys Stahl, Regional Director at All Around Children, brings play-based learning to life across multiple preschool and Pre-K classrooms. See how her team uses Preschool With a Purpose to spark hands-on learning and support both students and educators.

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Educator Highlights: Tiffany Eden, Director of Immanuel Lutheran Child Development Center in Twin Falls, ID
Educator Highlights: Tiffany Eden, Director of Immanuel Lutheran Child Development Center in Twin Falls, ID

Tiffany Eden and the dedicated educators at Immanuel Lutheran Child Development Center in Twin Falls, Idaho, inspire a love of learning through play. Discover how their approach aligns with Highlights Early Learning and brings joy to their classrooms.

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Why Resilience Matters in Preschool — and How We Help Children Build It
Why Resilience Matters in Preschool — and How We Help Children Build It

Resilience starts in early childhood. Discover how playful, relationship-based strategies help preschoolers build emotional strength, optimism, and problem-solving skills for lifelong success.

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Why Social and Emotional Development Is Essential to Kindergarten Readiness
Why Social and Emotional Development Is Essential to Kindergarten Readiness

Kindergarten readiness is about more than letters and numbers — it starts with strong social and emotional skills. Discover why emotional intelligence is the true foundation for school success.

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Resilience: Tips for Helping Preschoolers Regulate and Bounce Back
Resilience: Tips for Helping Preschoolers Regulate and Bounce Back

Here are seven ways to help preschoolers build resilience and learn essential self-regulation skills. 

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5 Benefits of Music in Preschool Classrooms
5 Benefits of Music in Preschool Classrooms
The benefits of music in the preschool classroom are holistic, nurturing children in mind, body, and spirit. Here are 5 benefits of music in preschool classrooms.  
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10 Art Activities for Preschoolers
10 Art Activities for Preschoolers
From DIY instruments that make beautiful music to a few new creative ways to paint, these preschool art activities are perfect for inspiring creativity in your classroom.  
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How to Leverage Preschool Art Projects for Play-Based Learning
How to Leverage Preschool Art Projects for Play-Based Learning
Here are 15 preschool play-based learning art projects that pique a child’s interest and answer some of their “Why?” questions!  
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10 Ways to Prevent Teacher Burnout
10 Ways to Prevent Teacher Burnout
Teacher burnout is an issue educators continue to grapple with as they combat the mental, emotional, and physical stressors of teaching. Here are 10 ways to prevent teacher burnout. 
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What Are the Benefits of Learning Through Play?
What Are the Benefits of Learning Through Play?
Play-based learning is an essential part of a child’s well-being and development, encouraging healthy cognitive, personal, and interpersonal growth. 
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6 Ways to Get Preschoolers Moving Mindfully
6 Ways to Get Preschoolers Moving Mindfully
Used for exercise, stress-reduction, and mood improvement, mindful movement in the preschool classroom has a host of benefits. Here are 6 ideas that will get preschoolers moving mindfully in their classrooms.   
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Highlights Preschool With a Purpose

Check next year’s curriculum off your to-do list, and help your teachers unlock the best learning environment for students!

  • Highlights Preschool With a Purpose is a full curriculum with ready-to-go materials that can be quickly adapted by teachers of all experience levels.
  • The curriculum includes 10 months of themed instruction designed for children ages 3 to 5. Flexible lessons and activities can be easily tailored to each child’s learning requirements.
  • A convenient digital planner simplifies lesson planning and team coordination for busy teachers and center directors.
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Highlights Preschool With a Purpose