Virginia Department of Education's Training and Technical Assistance Center at Virginia Commonwealth University

During the formative early childhood years, the classroom serves not only to teach letters and numbers but also functions as an important environment for developing essential life skills, especially social-emotional growth. One of the most effective mechanisms for fostering this growth, widely recognized in early childhood research and practice, is play. Play is not just […]

In the field of special education, Assistive Technology (AT) is frequently viewed through a purely functional lens: a tool to help a student see, hear, write, or communicate. However, there is a profound, often-overlooked relationship between the implementation of AT and a student’s behavioral presentation. Understanding this relationship requires careful consideration to ensure accessibility options are appropriate, […]

How special education teachers and paraprofessionals can create effective partnerships In today’s special education landscape, one prevalent challenge is staffing two licensed teachers in the classroom. In the instance where a co-teaching service delivery model is not possible, collaboration, a coordination of “efforts with others, including paraprofessionals, service providers, administrators, and families,” is paramount (Urbani […]

Young child en who receive special education services in early childhood care and education settings benefit the most when teachers use highly individualized teaching strategies. Embedded instruction is an effective approach addressing the unique learning and developmental needs of young children within the context of a high-quality preschool program (Sandall, Schwartz, Joseph, & Gauvreau, 2024). […]

In his memoir, Matthew McConaughey talks about bumper stickers, quick-hit lines that try to sum up something bigger, something true (McConaughey, 2020). In education, we have our own, “I do, We do, You do.” It sounds good, rolls off the tongue, and feels like wisdom on a teacher-lounge fridge magnet. But like a real bumper […]

The two most important skills for helping young children succeed in school and life are self-regulation and co-regulation. As early childhood educators, we understand the importance of developing these skills by creating a supportive, relationship-centered environment where teachers actively guide and support students. This approach ensures that throughout a young child’s developmental stages, they learn […]

Chronic absenteeism, commonly defined as missing 10 percent or more school days in an academic year, poses significant challenges for all students. The impact on students with disabilities is particularly complicated. These students are disproportionately affected by barriers to consistent attendance and face greater consequences when instructional time is lost (U.S. Department of Education, 2016). […]

Early childhood classrooms are lively centers of exploration and learning. For all children, especially those with disabilities, carefully organized routines within routines are highly beneficial. Intentionally implementing a system provides a predictable framework that encourages independence, reduces anxiety, and enhances learning opportunities throughout the day. First, let us clarify the difference between a daily schedule […]

A well-designed classroom is the foundation for a high-quality early learning experience. The physical, social, and temporal features of the environment influence student engagement, independence, and social-emotional development (Rausch et. al., 2021). As we begin the school year, it’s the perfect time to revisit what makes a classroom truly work for young students. Start with […]

Angela waved goodbye to her students as the last bus pulled away from Apple Grove Early Learning Center. She took a few deep breaths as she walked back to her classroom. Soon, Martina’s father and grandmother would arrive to discuss their child’s recent challenging behavior. Yesterday, Martina threw a wooden block across the room, narrowly […]