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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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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Creating Young Thinkers: Three Big Ideas For Cultivating Curiosity, Imagination and Problem Solving
Creating Young Thinkers: Three Big Ideas For Cultivating Curiosity, Imagination and Problem Solving

Tap into young children's natural curiosity with three actionable strategies to spark thinking and confident learning. Support cognitive, emotional, and early academic development through everyday experiences.

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7 Ways to Encourage a Lifelong Love of Reading
7 Ways to Encourage a Lifelong Love of Reading

Discover practical ways to nurture a lifelong love of reading in children, from engaging read-alouds to fun routines and diverse book selections. 

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10 Nutrition-Related Activities for Preschoolers
10 Nutrition-Related Activities for Preschoolers

From making buildings out of snacks to practicing using measuring cups to crafting their own chocolate-covered pretzels, here are 10 nutrition activities for preschoolers. 

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How to Teach Self-Regulation Skills to Preschoolers
How to Teach Self-Regulation Skills to Preschoolers
Co-regulation and direct instruction make a great pair when teaching self-regulation skills. Here are six ways to teach self-regulation skills to preschoolers. 
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15 Summer-Themed Crafts for Preschoolers
15 Summer-Themed Crafts for Preschoolers

Keep preschoolers busy this summer with these 15 hands-on preschool crafts for summer. From outdoor-themed to water-ready to animal-inspired, there’s something here for everyone.  

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20 Summer-Themed Bulletin Boards for Preschool Classrooms
20 Summer-Themed Bulletin Boards for Preschool Classrooms
Summer is a time for celebrating all that preschoolers have accomplished and the new experiences to come. Here are 20 summer-themed bulletin board ideas for preschool teachers to help bring that sunny summer energy to the classroom.
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12 Summer Themes for Preschool
12 Summer Themes for Preschool
Here are 12 inviting and exciting summer themes for preschool to keep the fun and learning going during those sunny days.   
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20 Fourth of July Crafts for Preschoolers
20 Fourth of July Crafts for Preschoolers
Fourth of July celebrations are packed with fireworks, American flags, and plenty of summer fun. When it’s time to get crafty with your preschoolers for the Fourth of July–you’ll want to bring out the best red, white, and blue crafts.  
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12 Weather-Themed Bulletin Boards Ideas for Preschool Classrooms
12 Weather-Themed Bulletin Boards Ideas for Preschool Classrooms

Here are 12 different weather themed bulletin board ideas that provide fantastic visuals for the preschool classroom.

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10 Fine Motor Activities for Preschoolers
10 Fine Motor Activities for Preschoolers
Mastery of fine motor skills is essential to a child’s personal and academic success. Here are ten activities perfect for refining preschoolers’ fine motor skills. 
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15 Camping Crafts for Preschoolers
15 Camping Crafts for Preschoolers
Here are 15 camping crafts for preschoolers that make the perfect sidekick to any thematic camping unit or standalone lesson.  
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9 Ocean-Themed Crafts for Preschoolers
9 Ocean-Themed Crafts for Preschoolers
These 9 fun and easy ocean-themed craft projects for preschoolers will keep your tiny sea explorers engaged and eager to learn.  
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14 Space-Themed Crafts for Preschoolers
14 Space-Themed Crafts for Preschoolers
Looking for space-themed preschool crafts for your budding astronaut? Here are 14 space crafts for preschoolers. 
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11 Rainbow and Rain Crafts for Preschoolers
11 Rainbow and Rain Crafts for Preschoolers
Rainy days get a bad rap! Grab your umbrella and sneak a peek at some of these creative rain and rainbow crafts for preschoolers.  
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Preschoolers Are Obsessed with Dinosaurs - Here's Why
Preschoolers Are Obsessed with Dinosaurs - Here's Why
Prehistoric play can spark an interest in science. Here’s why preschoolers are obsessed with dinosuars. 
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The Missing Piece in Early Math: Why Kinesthetic One-to-One Correspondence Comes First
The Missing Piece in Early Math: Why Kinesthetic One-to-One Correspondence Comes First

Explore how preschoolers develop early math skills by connecting movement and counting. Learn how kinesthetic one-to-one correspondence lays the foundation for accurate counting with objects.

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Bringing Math to Life: Using Pictures to Spark Early Math Conversations
Bringing Math to Life: Using Pictures to Spark Early Math Conversations

Discover how everyday images can spark meaningful math conversations with preschoolers. Learn how "math talks" using quantitative pictures build number sense through observation and playful discussion.

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5 Foundational Areas for Math Readiness in Preschoolers
5 Foundational Areas for Math Readiness in Preschoolers

Here are five key foundational areas that signal a preschooler’s readiness for developing numeracy and math skills.  

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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