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There’s something magical about the moment a young child realizes, “This is me.” In an Early Childhood Special Education classroom, that moment becomes even more powerful when we surround it with sensory experiences, predictable routines, and joyful invitations to explore identity. “All About Me” isn’t just a theme — it’s a foundation for belonging, confidence, and connection. And when we pair it with books like I Like Myself and What I Like About Me, we give children languag

The first week of school in an ECSE classroom is all about predictability, regulation, and connection. Before you have all the IEPs, before routines are solid, and before students feel fully safe, you need centers that are calming, accessible, and success‑oriented. These first‑week ECSE centers are designed to help students explore the classroom, build independence, and experience early wins—while giving you time to observe communication, motor skills, sensory needs, and enga

1. Consistency Is the Magic Ingredient Consistency is what transforms a schedule from “a picture on the wall” into “a trusted routine.” Use the schedule every single day, even when the day feels chaotic. Point to it during every transition, even if students aren’t looking yet. Keep the schedule in the same location so students can find it independently. Consistency builds trust—and trust builds participation. 2. Stay Calm, Even When Students Aren’t Your calm tone becomes the

Behavior charts, red/green choices, and color‑coded systems are everywhere in early childhood classrooms — but they consistently fall apart in ECSE and autism settings. Not because our students are “noncompliant,” but because these systems rely on skills our learners are still developing self‑regulation, abstract reasoning, emotional labeling, and cause‑and‑effect thinking. The good news? When we shift from public behavior tracking to predictable routines, positive behavior s

Explicitly teaching feelings at the beginning of the school year gives young learners—especially ECSE and autism preschool students—the tools they need to understand their bodies, communicate their needs, and participate successfully in classroom routines. It’s not just a “nice-to-have” SEL activity; it’s a core readiness skill that shapes behavior, independence, and connection all year long. Below is a full, teacher‑focused, strengths‑based blog post written for your ECSE au

Grab your copy here: Back‑to‑School ECSE Bundle | Adapted Book + Traceable Coloring Pages The first week of ECSE doesn’t have to feel chaotic. In fact, it can be calm, predictable, and joyful when you anchor your routines with simple visuals, multisensory literacy, and fine‑motor activities that help students feel safe and successful. That’s exactly why I created the Back‑to‑School ECSE Bundle, which includes: The adapted book On the First Day of School A 10‑page traceable‑wo

The first week of school in an ECSE or autism classroom doesn’t need to be complicated to be meaningful. In fact, the more predictable and sensory‑friendly your routines are, the smoother your transition will be—for students and teachers. One of my favorite tools for the first week is a simple, visual adapted book that teaches everyday routines in a calm, structured way. Today I’m sharing how I use my “On the First Day of School, I Can…” adapted book, plus sensory activities

Inclusion isn’t a place—it’s a mindset. When general education and special education teachers work together intentionally, students with disabilities can participate meaningfully, build relationships, and thrive in their school community. But successful inclusion doesn’t happen by accident. It grows from shared planning, clear communication, and small, purposeful steps that set everyone up for success. Below are simple, teacher‑friendly strategies that make inclusion smoother

Hands‑on, sensory‑rich stories your students will love this month April is one of my favorite months to refresh our classroom library. Spring themes open the door to bugs, gardens, weather, Earth Day, and outdoor exploration — all perfect for early childhood special education. This month’s book basket is full of lift‑the‑flap surprises, Eric Carle classics, bug adventures, and plant‑themed stories that pair beautifully with sensory play, adapted books, and AAC routines. Here’

A hands‑on literacy routine for students with autism, multiple disabilities, and blindness “I Can Grow a Garden!” Multisensory Activities | TPT Spring is one of my favorite times to bring multisensory learning into the classroom. Gardening is naturally rich in textures, smells, actions, and real‑world connections — which makes it the perfect theme for early childhood special education, autism preschool, and students with multiple disabilities, including blindness or low visio

Teaching young children about recycling doesn’t have to be abstract or complicated. In early childhood special education, the most meaningful lessons are hands‑on, visual, predictable, and connected to real life. Maisy’s Recycling Truck by Lucy Cousins is a perfect anchor text for introducing “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” in a way that feels playful, accessible, and developmentally appropriate for preschoolers and ECSE learners. In this post, I’m sharing how to adapt the book , h

Early childhood special education teachers know that the right book can open the door to engagement, communication, and meaningful sensory exploration. Backyard Bugs by Jill McDonald is one of those rare titles that works beautifully across mixed‑ability preschool groups. The bright illustrations, simple text, and clear categories make it a natural fit for students who benefit from visual supports, repetition, and hands‑on learning. In my autism ECSE classroom, this book bec

Earth Day is a beautiful opportunity to help young children connect with nature in ways that feel safe, joyful, and sensory‑supportive. In autism preschool and ECSE classrooms, hands‑on exploration is often the bridge that turns abstract ideas—like “Earth,” “water,” or “plants”—into meaningful learning. Using I Love Earth by Eric Carle as your anchor text gives you bold visuals, simple language, and predictable pacing that works wonderfully for autistic learners. With a few

There’s something magical about a simple sensory story—especially one that invites children to tap, pour, sprinkle, stir, and explore language all at once. Our newest adapted book, “We’re Making Alphabet Soup!” , brings early literacy to life through movement, sound, and playful pretend cooking. It’s the perfect blend of sensory engagement and early learning for preschoolers, ECSE classrooms, and young learners who thrive with hands-on experiences. In this post, I’ll walk you

Early childhood special education classrooms thrive when literacy comes alive—when books aren’t just read, but experienced . Community helper stories are perfect for this because they connect to children’s real-world interests, build vocabulary, and open the door to dramatic play, sensory exploration, and communication practice. Three favorites in my classroom— Lift the Flap: Community Helpers , Let’s Go Rescue Trucks , and Hello! Hometown Heroes —offer endless opportunities

If you’ve ever wished your weather unit felt more engaging , more accessible , and more sensory‑rich for your learners with multiple disabilities, you’re going to love this one. “The Weather Friends Are Knocking” started as a simple idea — a playful, predictable story where each type of weather “knocks” on the door and brings a sensory experience with it. But it quickly grew into a full storytelling pack designed for ECSE classrooms, preschool special education, AAC users, a

Adapted books are one of the most powerful tools we have in early childhood special education. They take big ideas and break them into small, meaningful steps that young learners can understand, touch, and explore. When paired with visuals, Velcro pieces, and simple, predictable language, adapted books become accessible for students with autism, sensory processing needs, fine‑motor delays, and emerging communication skills. One of my favorite spring‑themed adapted books is “I

Spring brings color, movement, and fresh energy into early childhood classrooms, making it the perfect season for sensory play. For preschoolers with disabilities—especially those with autism, sensory processing needs, or fine‑motor delays—sensory bins offer meaningful opportunities to explore, regulate, communicate, and connect. These 10 spring sensory bins are low‑prep, budget‑friendly, and intentionally designed with inclusive adaptations so every child can participate c

Creating a calm and engaging environment for children, especially toddlers and those with sensory needs, can be a challenge. Sensory floor tiles offer a simple yet effective solution that transforms any space into a fun, interactive, and soothing area. The 12"x12" Liquid Sensory Mats Puzzle Pads, available in colorful sets, have become a favorite addition to many calm down corners and obstacle courses. Here’s an honest review based on real use and observations. Ready to add t

A garden sensory bin invites preschoolers to dig, scoop, plant, and harvest—building fine motor skills, language, and imaginative play along the way. Whether you’re a teacher setting up a classroom center or a parent creating hands‑on fun at home, this bin is simple to assemble and endlessly engaging. This guide walks you through the best Amazon supplies to use, how to set up your bin, and playful learning ideas that support early childhood development. 🧺 Supplies You’ll Nee