Jointly developed by Crayola and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), the CCAC program contains five training modules, each accompanied by a video, facilitator’s guide, and resources that help educators develop an arts-infused education.

This article describes creative development in toddlers (ages 0-3) and in the preschool to kindergarten stage (ages 3-6). It also discusses how educators can support creative development at each stage.

This publication presents the DEC recommended practices for early intervention and early childhood special education. These practices are based on the best available research as well as the professional wisdom and experience of the field.

This booklet is the first in a series that presents the NELP’s core findings on early literacy development. This booklet provides an overview of the literature about early literacy development and offers suggestions for literacy activities and creating a literacy-rich environment.

Using several short examples, this article describes how creativity can be fostered in the early childhood classroom through the teacher's attitude, the classroom atmosphere, and classroom activities and materials.

The authors offer examples and recommendations for how teachers of young children can support each young learner in diverse early learning settings by using Universal Design for Learning.

This website contains links to Dance Music, Theater, and Visual Arts standards for K-4 students. They describe the skills and knowledge that students are expected to have acquired at the end of grade 4.

This video clip discusses ways of creating a home environment that is rich in early literacy learning experiences through the use of various materials and resources found in the home.

November 2021 saw the release of multiple resources for learning about and thoughtfully implementing developmentally appropriate practice (DAP), including the 4th edition monograph from NAEYC. This issue of Natural Resources offers information about a few free DAP resources to access, read, and consider using.

Adapted from the Message in a Backpack, this webpage offers suggestions that families can use at home to support children’s learning.

This webpage contains links to various research and information on the impact of music on learning.

These clips from the Results Matter Video Library were developed for use in professional development for early education providers to practice their observation and documentation skills. The short clips show children engaged in various kinds of activities.

Many programs have shifted to hybrid or online teaching models for the foreseeable future. This presents unique opportunities and challenges related to fostering relationships and building community and preparing students for virtual teaching and interactions. This session will open with tools and strategies for cultivating instructor-student and student-student relationships. Significant time will be spent on strategies and opportunities to provide college students with supported practice that will enable them to build meaningful connections with both young children and families. A highlight will be the participation of Marie Kohart, a talented early childhood educator who will share examples of ways in which she builds, sustains, and individualizes relationships in a virtual classroom. Strategies suitable for both synchronous and asynchronous environments will be shared.Presenters: Danielle Savory Seggerson (Lansing Community College, Michigan) and Marie Kohart (University of Kansas, Kansas)

This webpage contains links to various preschool songs and rhymes for the different seasons as well as for all year round.

This webpage describe how the Standards for Dance in Early Childhood may be used by school administrators and educators to foster creativity in the classroom/studio, and to assess student development.

This short article discusses how engagement in the arts can help children develop creative problem-solving skills and creative thinking.

This article discusses the benefits of music for children and presents three case studies of children with Down syndrome where musical play is part of their holistic therapy.

Developed by the National Art Education Association, this document describes standards in visual art for grades K-12. These standards are intended as a guide for student learning outcomes. The document begins with a discussion of the importance of and the issues associated with standards in arts education. It then outlines the standards for grades K-4, 5-8, and 9-12.

This article explains how creativity can be encouraged in music and movement activities. It also offers practical suggestions for encouraging creativity and other problem solving and critical thinking skills.

The What Works Clearinghouse, housed at the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences, is a source to support evidence-based decisions for classrooms and schools. What Works Clearinghouse produces practice guides and reports with offers recommendations on interventions in various topical areas.

When students use their bodies in the learning process, it can have a big effect, even if it seems silly or unconnected to the learning goal at hand. For example, this resource shares how researchers have found that when students use their bodies while doing mathematical storytelling, it changes the way they think about math. "We understand language in a richer, fuller way if we can connect it to the actions we perform," said Sian Beilock, professor of psychology at the University of Chicago.