The Magazine for Early Learning Community and Practice
Balancing Formats and Choice in Early
Childhood Education
Spring 2025 • Volume 1 No 1
4 Message from the CEO
Michelle Kang
6 Inside NAEYC
10 Professional Journeys
Michelle Zurita-Sharpe
14 Advice for Graduates and New Educators
16 Advocacy in Action
18 Affiliate News
86 Ask HELLO
20
Large, Small, or One-on-One? Tapping Different Formats to Foster Learning
Jemmael Joseph
28
Intentional Planning and Practice Valuing Children as Learners Through a Sunflower Exploration Roberta Bernhard
36
Message in a Backpack. ™ Encouraging Your Child to Lead Andrea Laser
38
Supporting Child Choice Through Outdoor Sensory Exploration An Inclusive Approach Sean D. Cronin and Renee B. Whelan
50
Using the Environment and Materials as Curriculum for Promoting Exploration of Cause and Effect
Guadalupe Rivas Jer
56
Centers in Kindergarten When Do You Have Time for That? Juliana Harris
64
7X. Intentionally Planning for Small-Group Time
Sarah Parks-Reese
74
Implementing Whole- and Small-Group Experiences for Multilingual Learners
Rocio del Castillo-Perez and Julia Stearns Cloat
In the Next Issue
Published four times a year, each issue of Educating Young Children offers an engaging digital experience that puts professional knowledge and community connection at your fingertips. The Summer 2025 issue will focus on educator well-being. It will include articles and features to support both your daily practice and long-term growth.