Professional learning resources can help you deepen your understanding of a topic that spans multiple Texas Rising Star measures. Then, use some of the implementation tools to put what you’ve learned into practice. Choose a topic to start learning.
Child Assessment
Assessments (formal and informal) can help programs learn more about children’s individual development and learning needs through data that can be used to create lesson plans, improve classroom strategies, and support conversations with families.
Curriculum
A curriculum provides classroom staff with a clear plan for delivering quality learning experiences to children of any age group, allowing the staff to identify activities and lessons that cover a wide range of learning areas that are developmentally appropriate for the age of the children.
Director Qualifications and Training
Director qualifications and training measures capture the education, experience, and ongoing professional development of those that directly influence caregiving and teaching in various capacities. The three key ideas of director training are:
- Specific knowledge and experience
- Ongoing professional development
- A supportive work environment with well-developed policies and practices
Family Education and Involvement
Having strong relationships with families in which decisions are made and problems are solved together can significantly improve children’s learning and behavior. Family Education and Involvement generally refers to efforts by the early learning program to keep families informed. It also pertains to partnerships built with families to improve experiences for their children and the entire program.
Health and Nutrition
Health and Nutrition generally refers to policies and practices that support children’s overall health and safety. This measure helps early learning programs evaluate the multiple influences on a child’s well-being rather than focusing solely on the children’s learning and interactions with teachers.
Inclusive Classrooms
All children benefit from an inclusive environment. It also allows children with physical, behavioral, linguistic, or learning differences to thrive in their classrooms through reasonable accommodations recommended by health or other qualified professionals to meet their specific needs.
Indoor Learning Environment
Carefully planned spaces, including indoor centers and classrooms, must include all the appropriate materials and activities children can freely access and utilize to help them learn, grow, and succeed.
Instructional Formats and Approaches to Learning
A daily schedule that allows children to make choices, learn in varied group sizes and environments, and receive individualized support results in higher engagement is essential. Daily activities should cover various learning areas with planned and unplanned opportunities for children to practice new concepts throughout the day.
Language Facilitation and Support
Support for children’s language development is crucial in early care and education settings. Frequent language stimulation is expected of teachers regardless of the age and verbal ability of the children in their care.
Outdoor Learning Environment
Outdoor learning experiences are necessary for motor and cognitive development in children. Facilities must provide outdoor environments that are adequately arranged and designed to encourage physical activities and additional learning opportunities.
Play-Based Interactions and Guidance
Play-based learning enhances traditional teaching methods and significantly benefits children’s cognitive, emotional, and physical development. A high-quality early learning program provides plenty of time for children to learn and practice skills through play.
Staff Qualifications and Training
Staff qualifications and training measures capture the education, experience, and ongoing professional development of those that directly influence caregiving and teaching in various capacities. The three key ideas of staff training are:
- Specific knowledge and experience
- Ongoing professional development
- A supportive work environment with well-developed policies and practices
Staff Retention Strategies
Retaining employees by keeping them motivated and passionate about their jobs through programs that provide support and incentives contributes to a thriving and growing facility, ensuring the children receive the learning tools and knowledge they need to succeed.
Support for Children’s Regulation
Children use behavioral and emotional self-regulation skills to manage their feelings while playing with others and following classroom rules, which are crucial to learning and development. Classrooms with clearly defined rules, routines, and expectations promote behavioral and emotional self-regulation among children.
Warm and Responsive Style
Teachers with a warm and responsive style in the classroom can make the children feel safe, supporting their social, emotional, and cognitive skills and general well-being.