--- title: Dev Insights & Inspirations | Admin (5) description: Development Kaplan blog (5) --- # All Posts ![Get to Know Me Caterpillar Back to School Craft | Kaplan Early Learning Company](https://blog.kaplanco.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/get-to-know-me_a-1-1.jpg) ##### Get to Know Me Caterpillar Back to School Craft | Kaplan Early Learning Company Use this fun back to school craft to get to know the children in your care. With this arts and crafts activity children can be creative while also exercising their fine motor skills. When they're finished, have children present this to their class, so they can get to know their classmates as well. August 21, 2020 ![How to Encourage Collaborative Play in the Preschool Classroom | Kaplan Early Learning Company](https://blog.kaplanco.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/collaborative-play_a-1.jpg) ##### How to Encourage Collaborative Play in the Preschool Classroom | Kaplan Early Learning Company Collaborative play is essential in any preschool classroom. This type of play encourages children to share, take turns, and work together with their classmates. Incorporate collaborative play in different classroom activities to teach this skill to children in an exciting way. August 21, 2020 ![Four Ways You Can Celebrate Earth Day with Your Students | Kaplan Early Learning Company](https://blog.kaplanco.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/celebrate-earth-day_a-1.jpg) ##### Four Ways You Can Celebrate Earth Day with Your Students | Kaplan Early Learning Company Here are four ways to celebrate earth day with your students: 1. Brainstorm ways to go green. 2. Plant a tree or work in your school garden. 3. Learn about the earth through music. 4. Read books about the earth. August 21, 2020 ![10 Things Kindergarten Teachers Should Know | Kaplan Early Learning Company](https://blog.kaplanco.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/kindergarten-teacher-tips_a-1.jpg) ##### 10 Things Kindergarten Teachers Should Know | Kaplan Early Learning Company Here are 10 things every kindergarten teacher should know. 1. How to manage a classroom 2. How to choose and store supplies 3. How to get parents involved 4. How to arrange your desks 5. How to maintain a steady stream of lesson plans 6. How to motivate your students to clean up 7. How to set the pace in the classroom 8. How to expect the unexpected 9. How to get students' attention 10. How to survive August 21, 2020 ![11 Ways to Use Rhythm Sticks in the Classroom | Kaplan Early Learning Company](https://blog.kaplanco.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/rhythm-sticks_a-2.jpg) ##### 11 Ways to Use Rhythm Sticks in the Classroom | Kaplan Early Learning Company Using rhythm sticks in the classroom is an excellent way to introduce children to music and rhythm learning. Music is a multi-sensory experience for children that promotes fine motor skills, body awareness, and coordination. Here are 11 ways to incorporate rhythm sticks in your classroom. August 21, 2020 ![Four Fun Ways to Teach Children About Nutrition | Kaplan Early Learning Company](https://blog.kaplanco.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/teach-children-about-nutrition_a-1.jpg) ##### Four Fun Ways to Teach Children About Nutrition | Kaplan Early Learning Company Teaching children about the importance of nutrition early on gives them the necessary skills to lead a healthy lifestyle. Nutrition education can be incorporated in games and other classrooms so children can learn through play. August 21, 2020 ![4th of July STEM Activities for the Little Ones | Kaplan Early Learning Company](https://blog.kaplanco.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/fourth-of-july-STEM_a-1-2.jpg) ##### 4th of July STEM Activities for the Little Ones | Kaplan Early Learning Company These fourth of July activities are sure to engage your toddlers and preschoolers during the holiday. These STEM activities are sure to help your children enjoy the fourth of July while also learning new skills. August 21, 2020 ![How Teachers Can Help Kids with the Back-to-School Blues | Kaplan Early Learning Company](https://blog.kaplanco.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/help-back-to-school-blues_a-2.jpg) ##### How Teachers Can Help Kids with the Back-to-School Blues | Kaplan Early Learning Company Back to school season comes around every year. While some children enjoy this time, others may have anxieties or reservations. It's important to build relationships with your students and encourage a love of learning early on. Here are a few ways educators can help kids with back to school blues. August 21, 2020 ![Five Unique Ways to Display Children's Work | Kaplan Early Learning Company](https://blog.kaplanco.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/display-childrens-work_a-1-1.jpg) ##### Five Unique Ways to Display Children's Work | Kaplan Early Learning Company Recognize your students' work in the classroom with these five unique display ideas. Displaying your students' hard work in the classroom makes them feel appreciated and encourages them to continue to work hard. August 21, 2020 ![Cutting Down on Challenging Behaviors | Kaplan Early Learning Company](https://blog.kaplanco.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/cutting-down-challenging-behaviors_a-1-1.jpg) ##### Cutting Down on Challenging Behaviors | Kaplan Early Learning Company Cutting down on challenging behaviors in the classroom is just one of the many tasks that may come with a new school year. Here are five ways to help with that: value social and emotional learning, engage in bully prevention, keep an active presence in the classroom, encourage movement in students, and get creative with solutions. August 21, 2020 ![Learn and Play with Snow Day Activities | Kaplan Early Learning Company](https://blog.kaplanco.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/snow-day-activities_a-1-1.jpg) ##### Learn and Play with Snow Day Activities | Kaplan Early Learning Company Getting snow is always an exciting time of the year. Children can use this weather condition to have fun with these fun snow day activities including hosting a sled race, making snow cones, building a snow fort, painting the snow, and playing snowball hula. August 21, 2020 ![Seven Principles of Early Childhood Classroom Design | Kaplan Early Learning Company](https://blog.kaplanco.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/classroom-design_a-1.jpg) ##### Seven Principles of Early Childhood Classroom Design | Kaplan Early Learning Company Using these seven principles of design, you can optimize your early childhood classroom to be comfortable and fit the needs of your children. With nature, color, furnishings, textures, displays, light, and focal points your classroom will be equipped for the school year. August 21, 2020 ![Incorporating STEM into Fall Lesson Plans | Kaplan Early Learning Company](https://blog.kaplanco.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/incorporating-stem-into-fall-lesson-plans_a-1-1.jpg) ##### Incorporating STEM into Fall Lesson Plans | Kaplan Early Learning Company Discover tips for incorporating fall-related STEM concepts in your lesson plans with this article from Kaplan Early Learning Company. August 21, 2020 ![Fun Valentine's Day Activities for Infants and Toddlers | Kaplan Early Learning Company](https://blog.kaplanco.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/valentines-day_a-1-1.jpg) ##### Fun Valentine's Day Activities for Infants and Toddlers | Kaplan Early Learning Company Here are five ways to celebrate Valentines Day! 1. Paint with Heart-Shaped Cookie Cutters 2. Make Valentine Mobiles 3. Create Heart-Shaped Suncatcher 4. Sing a Valentine's Day Song 5. Use Children's Footprints to Make a Valentine's Day Crafts for Parents August 21, 2020 ![Five Seusstastic Ideas for Celebrating Dr. Seuss Day | Kaplan Early Learning Company](https://blog.kaplanco.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/celebrating-dr-seuss-day_a-1.jpg) ##### Five Seusstastic Ideas for Celebrating Dr. Seuss Day | Kaplan Early Learning Company Here are five ways to celebrate Dr. Seuss Day! 1. Make Cat in the Hat Hats 2. Discover Your Students' Favorite Dr. Seuss Book 3. Throw a Party to Celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday 4. Make Creative Seuss-Inspired Crafts 5. Make Seuss Sticks for Math Manipulatives August 21, 2020 ![Hair Dryer Painting | Kaplan Early Learning Company](https://blog.kaplanco.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/hair-dryer-painting_a-1-1.jpg) ##### Hair Dryer Painting | Kaplan Early Learning Company You don't need an easel or brush to paint a masterpiece. Help your children create abstract art with this engaging activity. 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