Five Lesson Planning Tips for Your Child Care Center

1. Plan Alternative Activities (Just in Case)

Outdoor time rained out? Ran out of glue sticks? Power outage in the classroom? Taking the time to identify how your child care lesson plan can be modified, as well as having a few activities on hand for times when your lesson is unexpectedly impossible, will let you be sure your students have a positive learning experience no matter what.

2. Assess the Needs of Your Learners

Each student progresses through developmental milestones at their own rate and has their own learning style. Carefully tracking students’ progress lets you understand their individual learning needs, which means you can plan lessons that help every student reach their full potential.

3. Make Lessons Fun and Challenging

Fun and challenging are equally important aspects of learning, and when learning is at its best, they go hand in hand. Kids love activities that push them to grow and let them exercise their creative abilities at the same time. And sometimes, a challenge can be fun for its own sake, giving children the opportunity to prove to themselves and others that they have mastered a new skill.

4. Organize Themed Lessons into Units

Educational units are a bridge between the broad curriculum and the day-to-day lesson plan. A theme gives kids a sense of continuity, helping them make connections to what they have learned in the past and know what to expect in the future. Units join lessons into a learning arc with defined outcomes, and help you set milestones throughout the year.

5. Value Engagement over Direct Instruction 

Most child development experts agree that children learn through active engagement with the world, not just passive absorption of information. Play-based learning is key for kids to develop their own understanding of concepts and gain confidence in their abilities. Plus, it keeps learning fun, so kids will maintain a love of learning throughout their lifetimes.