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Early Childhood Education

After a summer of intensive preparation, this preschool reopened, with lessons for other preschools when they're ready for the transition.

B.A. Van Sise / NurPhoto / AP

In the spring of 2020, early childhood educators faced a daunting task: teaching our nation's youngest children remotely. Now, many educators face an opposite and equally challenging adjustment: bringing young children back to the classroom after months of learning at home.

To prepare for in-person instruction, preschools across the country are adopting new health and safety protocols. While specific regulations vary by district, common trends include mandated masks, temperature checks, social distancing, increased outdoor learning, and decreased class sizes.

With so many changes, it's clear that this will be an unprecedented school year. Whether your school year started with in-person learning or that comes later, welcoming preschoolers back into the classroom requires thoughtful planning to ensure that they feel comfortable separating from their families and learning in this new and unfamiliar context. The suggestions below are based on the experience of my school, which reopened for in-person instruction a few weeks ago, after a summer of intensive planning.

Creating a Predictable Transition for Young Children

Partner with families: When transitioning from remote to in-person learning, it's crucial that children and families know what to expect. Prior to the start of in-person learning, connect with each family. Begin with an email or phone call to each child's parents or guardians. Introduce yourself and solicit information about the child's interests, previous schooling experiences, and any major changes that may have occurred at home. Address any concerns families may have about Covid-related protocols and work to understand the safety measures families are taking at home. Ask families how to best keep in contact moving forward, particularly in case of an emergency. If possible, schedule a virtual home visit-a.k.a. a Zoom call-with the whole family so you can meet each child alongside their parents or guardians in the comfort of their own space.

Introduce masks early: During the virtual home visits, try on different masks that you plan to wear in the classroom so children can see what you look like with and without a mask. If a family is unable to video chat, text or email a photo of yourself with and without a mask. For schools that require face coverings for children as well, ask families to submit photos of their children wearing masks prior to the start of school. Create a photo collage with children's faces with and without masks, and display it in the classroom and send it home to all families at the start of the year to support children's facial recognition.

Encourage consistency at home: Share specifics about all new health and safety protocols so families can practice and discuss them at home. For example, if your school takes children's temperatures or uses hand sanitizer frequently, inform families of the exact brands of the thermometer and/or hand sanitizer so they have the option of purchasing these for use at home, too. Record yourself washing your hands in the classroom so families can familiarize their children with proper hand-washing procedures.

Promote friendship pods: Host a class-wide virtual meet-and-greet or orientation so families can get to know each other. Some families are forming pods so that their children can socialize together without masks. To facilitate safe socializing, encourage families to form pods with children in the same class. Compile an address book with families who are willing to disclose their contact information and send it out so families can cultivate friendships.

Curate the classroom: Transitions from the home to the classroom can be difficult in any school year, but this year will likely prove especially challenging for students. Make the classroom as comfortable and enticing as possible by filling it with materials that reflect children's interests and/or favorite things from home. Ensure that there is a shared comfort zone or peace corner that children can go to if needed.

Create a designated space in the classroom for each child. This could be a stationary cubby or a movable box labeled with the child's name and photo. Inside this special space, put a photo of the child's family and a stuffed animal that remains at school in case the child needs a transitional object. If possible, send home blank board books so that families can create "All About Me" books with their children. The children can bring these in to remain at school in their designated space as a reminder of their family.

Welcome children back gradually: If it's safe and permitted by your school, invite children to return to school gradually (outdoors, socially distant, with masks). Begin with individualized in-person visits in which each child comes to school with a family member for 30 minutes. Next, invite small groups of five or six children and their family members to the schoolyard for 60 minutes of play. After a few successful days of small group play alongside families, request that families separate from their children and drop them off for small group play on their own. Once each small group has successfully separated from their families, bring the entire class together for a full day schedule.

Plan for explicit social and emotional learning: It is difficult to read and express emotions when wearing a mask. To compensate, prepare to teach social and emotional learning skills more explicitly than ever before. Rather than wait for emotional moments to come up organically, implement daily routines in which children periodically check in and talk about their feelings. Incorporate self-portrait drawings and books that teach children how to recognize, label, and regulate their emotions. Post calming and/or problem-solving strategies throughout the classroom. If possible, wear transparent masks for the first day or week of school so that children can clearly see your expressions and decipher your emotions.

While these strategies may ease preschoolers' transitions back to in-person learning, they won't resolve all of the anxieties and challenges that this unprecedented time may cause for students. Be prepared to respond to children's diverse needs in the coming months and stay in close contact with colleagues to determine which strategies work best in your particular school context-and as with everything in the pandemic, be ready to alter course if necessary.

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Tips for Preschools Moving Back to In-Person Learning

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Early Childhood Education After a summer of intensive preparation, this preschool reopened, with lessons for other preschools when they're ready for the transition. B.A. Van Sise / NurPhoto / AP In the spring of 2020, early childhood educators faced a daunting task: teaching our nation's youngest children remotely.

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Go on a trip with family virtually!

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Got a bit of downtime? Take a trip to a national park from wherever you are! Many national park sites across the country offer digital tours and experiences that you can access anytime, anywhere. From digitally diving under the sea to watching the cherry blossom trees bloom, there are countless ways to enjoy a park experience online.

Virtual Tours

Get up close and personal with parks through virtual tours. Learn more about the history of these legendary places and how their protection and preservation is essential in ensuring these sites are enjoyed for generations to come.

Clara Barton National Historic Site

A U.S. Patent Office clerk turned field nurse, Clara Barton was the founder and first president of the American Red Cross. Her life and legacy are celebrated at Clara Barton National Historic Site, the Glen Echo, Maryland house that was her home for the last 15 years of her life, as well as the national headquarters of the American Red Cross, a dormitory for staff, and a warehouse for relief supplies.

In a virtual tour, explore the house's many rooms and hallways, including twelve restored rooms. Hear the "voice of Clara Barton" provide descriptions in her own words and navigate the tour with your mouse to see 360-degree views. Younger virtual visitors can enjoy educational, interactive learning activities, and print out a personalized certificate upon completion.

Hot Springs National Park

The thermal waters of Hot Springs National Park have drawn visitors for centuries. Originally a site for American Indians to quarry novaculite, the area's hot springs soon became a favored destination for those seeking health treatments. Now nicknamed "the American Spa," the park preserves more than 20 miles of trails, 40 hot springs, and the historic Bathhouse Row - a stunning showcase of Gilded Age architecture.

Take a virtual tour of the park's historic Bathhouse Row district in an interactive map - presented by the Midwest Archeological Center, the National Park Service, and the Southeast Archeological Center. View 360-degree photographs of the bathhouse interiors and learn about the importance of these 20th century buildings.

Virgin Islands National Park

Two-thirds of the island of St. John in the Virgin Islands is a national park. Virgin Islands National Park features gorgeous sandy beaches and palms, as well as a rich marine life in underwater coral reefs. But the park boasts more than just beautiful beaches - ancient petroglyphs, carved by the Taino people, can be spotted along the Reef Bay Trail, and plantation ruins tell the stories of when the sugar industry dominated life on the island.

Discover this park on a virtual tour of its historic windmills and plantations. Or take a virtual 3-D tour of the Annaberg Sugar Plantation, one of the finest remaining examples of the Danish Colonial Era industrial agriculture in the Virgin Islands.

Exploring this park, be it virtually or in-person, can be an exciting and educational experience. In 2015, NPF supported Friends of Virgin Islands National Park in transporting 4th and 5th grade students to the unique mangrove habitat in Coral Reef National Monument, maintained by Virgin Islands National Park. Students were albe to boat, kayak, snorkel, and explore the abundance of marine and coral life in this unique ecosystem.

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

The final home of one of our nation's founding fathers, Hamilton Grange National Memorial tells the story of Alexander Hamilton - from his humble beginnings as an orphan in the Caribbean to acting as the country's first Secretary of the Treasury. Hamilton commissioned architect John McComb Jr. to design this home for an estate in upper Manhattan, and it was here that he lived the final years of his life.

Follow along with Jordan Fisher as he tours the house with Ranger Vlad in a video produced by the National Park Foundation and the National Park Service. Together they explore the rooms of Hamilton Grange, including the formal dining room Hamilton used to entertain guests and his personal study where he would read and write.

Crater Lake National Park

Formed by a volcanic eruption and collapse, Crater Lake National Park features the deepest lake in the U.S., and one of the top ten deepest lakes in the world. While people have inhabited the lake's shores for centuries, the park was founded in 1902 to protect its natural resources, including its fresh, clear water, and cultural resources.

Go on a tour of the park with Dierks Bentley and park ranger Charlie in this 360-degree video produced by the National Park Foundation and the National Park Service. Catch the sunrise over Garfield Peak and cruise around Phantom Ship, a rock formation that predates the lake. Watch the video on a mobile device and move around to see the remarkable vistas of Crater Lake!

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

As the capital of the 19th century whaling industry and a safe haven along the Underground Railroad, as well as the home to legendary figures such as Frederick Douglass and Herman Melville, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park preserves, protects, and interprets cultural resources within the "city that lit the world." Located in downtown New Bedford, the park spans over 13 blocks, and includes a whaling museum, a waterfront visitor center, a custom house, and more.

Take a video tour or interactive virtual tour of the Nathan and Polly Johnson House, not normally open to the public, provided by the National Park Service and the New Bedford Historical Society. Owned by Nathan and Mary "Polly" Johnson, the house welcomed and assisted those traveling along the Underground Railroad. The house was even the first residence of Frederick Douglass after his escape from slavery in 1838.

In 2016, NPF's transportation grants program helped the park grow its partnership with New Bedford Public Schools, supporting the transportation of local 4th grade students to the park on educational visits. Students visiting the park were able to participate in student programs that explored the lives of people connected to the park's history, such as Nathan and Polly Johnson and Lewis Temple, the inventor of the toggle harpoon.

Live Webcams

Make your escape to a scenic vista in a national park with a live webcam. Search for wildlife or sit back and enjoy the beauty of our national parks and the landscapes they preserve.

National Mall and Memorial Parks

A tradition in our nation's capital for over 100 years, the annual blossoming of the cherry trees on the National Mall and Memorial Parks is a reminder of the beauty of spring. Plantings of cherry trees began in 1912 as a gift of friendship to the People of the United States from the People of Japan. Equated with the evanescence of human life, the beauty of the pale blossoms epitomizes the transformation of Japanese culture throughout the ages.

This webcam from the Trust for the National Mall, EarthCam, the National Park Service, and The National Cherry Blossom Festival brings the cherished and beloved cherry trees to you, wherever you are. Each year, the Bloom Cam allows you to peer out at D.C.'s Tidal Basin, including the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and the Washington Monument. The live camera will change views every five minutes so you can enjoy these blooms from every angle.

NPF has supported many projects along the National Mall, including enhancing the monuments that serve as a backdrop for these iconic cherry blossoms every year. Since 2009, NPF has supported recycling efforts along the National Mall. In 2019, thanks to contributions to NPF from David Rubenstein and Musco Lighting, the Washington Monument installed updated lighting and a refurbished elevator system. In 2020, NPF announced a gift from David Rubenstein that will enable the creation of a state-of-the-art museum and enhanced visitor experience at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park

Established in 1792, Paterson, NJ was a planned industrial city from the minds of Alexander Hamilton and the "Society for Establishing Usefull Manufacturers." Humble mills along the Passaic River manufactured cotton, silk, steam locomotives, rolls of paper, and even airplane engines. The Great Falls at Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park are central to the park's story - their impressive power was the inspiration for Hamilton to establish the city in this spot.

Just as the falls inspired Hamilton, so too have they continued to inspire artists of all kinds, from visual arts to poetry and dance. NPF has supported cultural projects in the park, including Hamilton Partnership for Paterson's 2016 "Taste of Paterson" block party, celebrating Paterson's past, present, and future as a multicultural city of immigrants, a 2017 Native American Heritage festival, and a 2019 hip hop program.

Get a glimpse of the Great Falls with a live webcam presented by EarthCam, the National Park Service, and the City of Paterson. Revel in the majesty of these remarkable falls and the surrounding town that fostered the American Industrial Revolution, changing the face of America forever.

Channel Islands National Park

Dive into the rich marine life at Channel Islands National Park. Close to California's southern coast and encompassing of five different islands and their ocean environment, the park preserves and protects a variety of natural and cultural resources. The islands' remote location is home to unique animals, plants, and archeological resources found nowhere else on Earth.

Go under the sea with the park's live ocean webcam, presented in partnership between the National Park Service, Explore.org, and the Ventura County Office of Education, set up in the landing cove on Anacapa Island. See how many different marine species you can spot - there are nearly one thousand documented so far!

Statue of Liberty National Monument

A gift from the people of France to the U.S., Statue of Liberty National Monument is recognized globally as a symbol of freedom and democracy. A welcoming figure for the millions of immigrants who entered the United States through New York between 1886 and 1924, the Statue was immortalized in Emma Lazarus' poem "The New Colossus," later engraved on a bronze plaque affixed to the base of the statue. First illuminated in 1916, the National Park Service has been caring for this iconic landmark since 1933.

Check in with Lady Liberty on a live webcam from EarthCam, the National Park Service, and the Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation. Enjoy a live look at the New York City skyline, as well as views of the Hudson River and ships in New York Harbor.

Yellowstone National Park

Watching Old Faithful Geyser erupt is one of Yellowstone National Park 's most treasured traditions. However, Old Faithful is just one of nearly 500 active geysers in the park, and one of six that park rangers currently predict. While the park is also famous for its scenery and wildlife, it's unique and dynamic geothermal features were what inspired its designation as the first established national park in the world.

Explore Yellowstone's nine webcams - one live-streaming and eight static - provided by Canon USA, Inc. through a grant to Yellowstone Forever. Take a closer look at a few of the park's geysers, including Lone Star, Old Faithful, and Castle Geysers, through an overview of the Geyser Basin and 3-D models.

NPF is a long-standing supporter of projects in Yellowstone National Park. From the reintroduction of wolves and restoration of native cutthroat trout in Yellowstone Lake to vital training for backcountry rangers, NPF programs have helped preserve the iconic park's landscape and the wildlife populations that call it home, as well as enhance the experience of the many visitors who take a trip to the park.

Katmai National Park & Preserve

Established in 1918 to preserve features associated with one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions ever recorded, Katmai National Park and Preserve protects thousands of years of human history. The park's millions of acres serve as an important protected habitat for salmon and thousands of brown bears, which can be seen in high concentrations across the park.

Explore the park's three bear webcams, presented in partnership with Explore.org. Bear cams go live each summer when the park's bears are most active, but you can catch highlight reels from the bear cams year-round. Search for bears fishing for salmon at Brooks Falls and the Riffles, plus catch mothers and cubs on the Lower River cam. You may even catch a snorkeling bear from the River Watch cam, which provides a closer view of Brooks River.

Looking for more to explore? Check out the National Park Service's multimedia gallery of webcams to experience other parks live, or  earn an online Junior Ranger badge from a park. Discover other ways to enjoy parks at home, or even take a peek at our Parkcade for fun, educational park activities for the whole family. Keep in touch with the National Park Foundation on social media - follow us on  Facebook,  Twitter, and  Instagram  - as we share our favorite ways to make a virtual visit to national parks across the country.

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Got a bit of downtime? Take a trip to a national park from wherever you are! Many national park sites across the country offer digital tours and experiences that you can access anytime, anywhere. From digitally diving under the sea to watching the cherry blossom trees bloom, there are countless...