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Fall Into Learning: Fun Fall Activities to Support Your Child’s Development at Home

With so many colorful leaves and pumpkins, silly Halloween games, and cozy fall crafts, this season is full of ways to help children learn, explore, and grow right at home! The best part? You don’t need fancy supplies or complicated lesson plans to make learning fun. Here are some festive fall activities to support your child’s development right at home! Count, Sort, and Explore with Pumpkins! Pumpkins aren’t just for decorating! They’re also a fantastic way to introduce earl

ajenkins

3 days ago3 min read

From Summer to Fall: Helping Kids Explore the Changing Seasons

That quiet shift from summer to fall is a wonderful learning opportunity for children. Seasonal change is something they can see, touch, smell, hear, and talk about in real time. They do not need a worksheet to understand autumn- they need chances to notice! When children observe the world around them, they build early science skills. They compare, predict, ask questions, and look for patterns. When adults join the conversation, those small observations become rich learning m

ajenkins

Oct 144 min read

The Importance of the First Five Years in Early Childhood Development

The first five years of a child’s life impact the foundation for their future learning, behavior, and health. During this period, rapid brain growth and development take place, shaping how children think, feel, and interact with the world. Understanding why these early years matter can help parents, caregivers, and educators provide the right support to give children the best start in life! How the Brain Develops in Early Childhood From birth to age five, a child’s brain grow

ajenkins

Jul 93 min read

Screen-Free Summer Fun: Simple Activities Families Can Enjoy Together!

Fresh Air, Creative Play, and Family Time All Summer Long! Summer break is the perfect time for families to slow down, spend quality time together, and create lasting memories, without relying on screens. While tablets, TVs, and phones can be convenient, some of the best summer moments happen when children are exploring, creating, and playing with the people they love most. At Childcare Resources, we encourage families to make the most of the summer season through playful lea

ajenkins

May 142 min read

Bringing Books to Life and Turning Simple Materials into Meaningful Classroom Moments!

Childcare Resources hosted teen author Callie Chapman, creator of the Glitter the Unicorn series, for a special Beyond the Page event! Callie shared her inspiring journey of starting her book series at just six years old and her passion for giving back, including donating over $20,000 to children’s hospitals for art therapy programs. She also supports local children by providing her books to Jefferson County Family Courts and donated copies to the Childcare Resources library

ajenkins

Apr 11 min read

Dream Big Together: Inside our PEER Learning Vision Board Party!

Childcare Resources" Head Start – Great Start program hosted a Vision Board Party to kick off 2026! This creative, connection-filled gathering brought parents together to reflect, reimagine, and resourcefully build brighter futures through collaborative peer learning. The event provided families with a meaningful opportunity to pause, reflect, and set intentional goals for themselves and their children as they step into the new year with clarity and purpose. This Vision Board

ajenkins

Mar 31 min read

Childcare Resources Announces New Board Members for 2026!

Childcare Resources, a Birmingham-based nonprofit organization and partner agency of United Way of Central Alabama, has announced its Executive Officers and Board Members for 2026. The leadership team, which includes twelve newly appointed members, will continue advancing the organization’s mission by strengthening philanthropic efforts through innovative partnerships, donor engagement, advocacy, and strategic planning . 2025 Chairwoman of the Board, Kelly Metz (Left) with 20

ajenkins

Feb 62 min read

Big Energy, Little Bodies: Celebrating National Preschool Health & Fitness Day!

Simple moves today, Healthy habits for life. The last Friday of January is National Preschool Health & Fitness Day and is a great time to celebrate building healthy habits early! From birth to age five, children’s brains and bodies are growing at lightning speed, and movement plays a powerful role in supporting that development. Below are a few simple ways you and your children can stay active together , both at home and outdoors. Head to the Park Nothing sparks active play q

ajenkins

Jan 293 min read