George Lucas Educational Foundation
Edutopia

Prekindergarten

Explore and share tips, strategies, and resources for helping students develop in prekindergarten.

  • Using Diversity to Build a Culture of Belonging

    Academics and social skills are equally prioritized at this multilingual elementary school in Chicago, ranked one of the best in the city.
    Conor P. Williams

  • Helping Refugee Students Feel Safe

    Creating an environment of safety and security is crucial for inclusion of refugee students in the elementary classroom.
    Lori Brenneise

  • Sharing Holiday Traditions in the Classroom

    Finding simple ways to celebrate different holidays in the classroom can create a culture of inclusion and deepen understanding.
    Kyleen Gray

  • What’s Lost When We Rush Kids Through Childhood

    The author of "The Importance of Being Little" on the costs of our collective failure to see the world through the eyes of children.
    Emily Kaplan

  • How to Teach Handwriting—and Why It Matters

    Teaching young students how to write by hand before moving on to keyboarding can help improve their reading fluency as well.
    Brooke MacKenzie

  • Optimizing Station Rotations in Blended Learning

    Using three stations effectively—teacher-led, online, and offline—should provide your students with plenty of ways to collaborate.
    Laura Lee

  • Time to Play: More State Laws Require Recess

    Unstructured playtime is making a comeback in schools as frustrated teachers, parents, and advocacy groups demand legislative action.
    Brittany Shammas

  • Bringing a Dog to School

    A veteran teacher and administrator makes the case for having a therapy dog in elementary school.
    Shari Feeney

  • Starting the Day With a Calming Routine

    Exercises that help young students who’ve experienced trauma transition into the school day in a relaxed and ready state.
    Lori Desautels

  • Demonstrating Self-Regulation With Tone of Voice

    When teachers model self-regulation by using a voice that is calm, neutral, and assertive, they help students feel cared for—and ready to learn.

  • Teaching Consent to Elementary Students

    Teaching consent in the elementary grades means using nonsexual situations to guide students to assert and respect boundaries.
    Emelina Minero

  • A Public School Transitions to Montessori

    In rural South Carolina, a Title I school makes the leap to become a Montessori school.

  • Activities That Prime the Brain for Learning

    Brain breaks and focused attention practices help students feel relaxed and alert and ready to learn.
    Lori Desautels

  • 22 Diverse Book Choices for All Grade Levels

    Suggestions from teachers who are working to offer students at every grade level book choices that represent their lives.
    Tom Berger

  • 60-Second Strategy: Respectful Touch

    A simple activity can help preschoolers better understand boundaries and learn to be gentle when it comes to physical contact.