Quality First Blog, Tips and Inspiration

Free inspiration and resources are just an added bonus. Helping you is just what we do. See the latest blogs, tips and research on how you can provide the highest-quality care and improve your early learning setting.

To receive inspiration directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today.

Quality First

Water play activities to support learning

Offering water play in the classroom and outdoors provides an engaging way to introduce science and math concepts. It provides opportunities for problem-solving, creative thinking and practicing social skills and language development. As with any type of activity, offering variety can create renewed interest and support children’s learning. Here are ways to make the most

toys

Tools to reduce preschool expulsions

Did you know that preschoolers are three times more likely to be expelled than children in kindergarten through 12th grade?  In many cases, preschoolers are suspended or expelled due to challenging behaviors that educators feel unequipped to handle. When faced with behavior challenges in your classroom or care group, it’s important to know you are

teaching

Tips for supporting literacy development 

As an early childhood educator, your role is to lay the foundation for future literacy development. Helping children birth to age 5 connect written and spoken language and having meaningful experiences with print can be a challenge, but one effective strategy is dictation. Dictation–the process of writing children’s words and reading it back to them—helps

child eating

Nurturing a love of nutrition

From the hands-on examination and exploration of a watermelon, a pumpkin, corn on the cob, apples and applesauce, to color-themed food parties, children love to explore and discover different foods. Research shows that experiences like food tastings support an early understanding of nutritious foods. The more experiences young children have, the more likely they will

Find programs

Find early childhood programs in communities across Arizona

A new online tool can connect Arizona parents and families with a variety of no-cost early childhood programs to help them nurture their child’s learning and healthy development. First Things First supports programs across Arizona through grants to community organizations that provide services for young children from birth to age 5 (before kindergarten) and their

child playing lego

Start building a love of math and science early in life

Introducing math and science to young children doesn’t have to be complicated. Parents and caregivers don’t have to wait until a child can solve written math problems or conduct complex science experiments. Activities such as finger painting, building blocks and baking are fun and interactive ways to build science and math skills in young kids.