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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20 Hibernation-Themed Activities and Crafts for Preschoolers
20 Hibernation-Themed Activities and Crafts for Preschoolers
Preschoolers are fascinated by hibernating animals. Here are 20 engaging activities and creative crafts to go along with preschool lessons on hibernation.   
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20 Nocturnal Animal-Themed Crafts and Activities for Preschoolers
20 Nocturnal Animal-Themed Crafts and Activities for Preschoolers
Learning about nocturnal animals is such fun for preschoolers.  Here are more than 20 highly engaging nocturnal animal lessons, activities, and crafts for preschoolers.   
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10 Winter Boredom Busters for Preschoolers
10 Winter Boredom Busters for Preschoolers
When it’s too cold to play outside, these 10 winter boredom busters for preschoolers are sure to keep kids’ bodies and minds occupied.
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13 Winter Holiday Crafts for Preschoolers
13 Winter Holiday Crafts for Preschoolers
The widely celebrated winter holidays of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa are terrific opportunities for preschoolers to learn about different cultures and traditions. Here are 13 winter holiday crafts for preschoolers.
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20 Winter Bulletin Board Ideas for Preschool Classrooms
20 Winter Bulletin Board Ideas for Preschool Classrooms
Bring some winter magic into your preschool classroom with these 20 preschool winter bulletin board ideas for preschoolers. 
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10 Winter Themes for Preschool Classrooms
10 Winter Themes for Preschool Classrooms
To get your preschool class excited for all the joy winter will bring, here are 10 winter themes for preschoolers that will have young children ready to explore this special season.  
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12 Winter-Themed Crafts for Preschoolers
12 Winter-Themed Crafts for Preschoolers
Winter time in a preschool classroom means cute cold-weather animals (hello, penguins!), glittering snowflakes, and all the snuggly vibes. Here are 12 winter crafts for preschoolers to keep little ones busy and learning during the snowy season. 
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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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What are the Benefits of Reading to Preschoolers?
What are the Benefits of Reading to Preschoolers?
When students and teachers regularly connect over such an experience, it cements that ever-important student-teacher bond. 
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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: 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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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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Planting Seeds of Kindness: A New Chapter of Kindergarten Readiness for the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County, FL
Planting Seeds of Kindness: A New Chapter of Kindergarten Readiness for the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County, FL

What if the key to kindergarten readiness isn’t letters or numbers, but kindness? That’s the insight driving Florida's Early Learning Coalition of Polk County’s new Kindergarten Bridge initiative, in partnership with Highlights Early Learning to nurture empathy and well-being as the foundation for children’s success.

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12 Farm-Related Activities for Preschoolers
12 Farm-Related Activities for Preschoolers

Preschoolers love animals, and the sweet creatures that live on a farm are no exception. Here are 12 farm-related ideas for preschoolers to add to your farm-themed lesson plans. 

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10 Friendship Crafts for Preschoolers
10 Friendship Crafts for Preschoolers
The theme of friendship is so important in a preschool classroom. These 10 friendship crafts for preschoolers help foster community in the classroom and between students, teaching them that there is nothing more beautiful than making new friends. 
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14 Preschool Classroom Jobs That Encourage Responsibility and Accountability
14 Preschool Classroom Jobs That Encourage Responsibility and Accountability
Here are 14 jobs preschool teachers can assign little ones to practice responsibility and accountability in the preschool classroom.
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Starting the Preschool Year with Kindness: Why It Matters from Day One
Starting the Preschool Year with Kindness: Why It Matters from Day One

The first days of the school year shape everything that follows. Building a foundation of kindness from the outset creates calmer classrooms today and stronger readiness for kindergarten tomorrow.

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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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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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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