Providing a Safe Space

These guides offer families simple strategies to support young children's healthy social and emotional development. Filled with suggestions of everyday activities that families can enjoy together and promote three key protective factors: initiative, self-regulation, and attachment/relationships. Booklets (40 pages) are available in English or Spanish in sets of 20. Copyright 2013.

3 years and up. Inspire big dreams through pretend play! Our collection of career costumes for preschoolers lets children step into the shoes of community helpers and professionals-from doctors and firefighters to chefs, builders, and teachers. Dressing up encourages imaginative storytelling, boosts language development, and helps children learn about different jobs that make a community work. Designed with comfort and durability in mind, these realistic dress-up outfits are easy to slip on and take off, making them ideal for classroom dramatic play centers or home learning spaces. As children explore roles and responsibilities, they gain a better understanding of teamwork, empathy, and problem-solving in fun, hands-on ways. Durable, machine-washable materials designed for years of pretend play. Available individually, or in a set of 5.

3 years & up. Invite children to tell their story in their own individualized book with these journals for children. The 8.5" x 11" journals serve as wonderful self-discovery tools and provide a template for children to create their own self-portrait along with 8 writing prompts for kids to help them draw/write their own story. Set of 10. Great for back to school!

3 years & up. Help young children identify, understand, and communicate emotions with the Understanding Feelings Learning Kit. Designed for children, this social-emotional learning take-home kit introduces emotional literacy through engaging learning materials, a book, and activity cards that help families explore feelings together. Children learn important feeling words such as happy, sad, angry, and scared while building the language skills needed to describe emotions, communicate needs, and understand the feelings of others. By encouraging empathy, compassion, cooperation, and peaceful conflict resolution, the kit supports essential social-emotional skills that help children navigate friendships, classroom routines, and everyday interactions. The kit includes a book, learning materials, and an activity card(s).  Contents may be substituted with developmentally appropriate items that serve the same purpose.

Birth & up. Children will relate to this lovable set of bears and matching blanket that encourages social emotional development. The four soft and colorful bears will help children identify and label the common emotions of happy, sad, angry, and scared. Have children match the bear to the corresponding color on the blanket, and discuss each emotion. Each bear is 11" tall. Machine washable.

18 months & up. Children can engage in a historic cultural journey while playing with the eight Around the World Dolls. These 5" figures represent four males and four females dressed in traditional clothing from seven various cultures distinctly represented in this set of dolls. These dolls are great for storytelling and will help children introduce diversity to pretend play by exploring a different culture. 8 pieces.

Birth & up. Young children will enjoy looking at images of themselves, friends, and family in this soft and durable photo mat. Photos often contain a variety of colors and shapes, which can help infants develop their visual discrimination skills. Viewing photos helps infants build their memory skills as they begin to recognize familiar faces, objects, and settings. Photos that capture different facial expressions and emotions can help infants begin to understand and recognize various emotional cues. Contain 8 vinyl pockets to insert 8 1/2" x 11" pictures or photos. Surface washable. Mat measures 51"L x 51"W x 1"H. One year warranty.

3 years & up. Help children build resilience, confidence, and healthy social-emotional skills with Children's Books That Promote Resilience - Set of 14. Designed for ages 3 and up, this classroom book collection introduces relatable stories that support conversations about feelings, perseverance, self-control, problem-solving, and positive relationships. Use these books during read-alouds, SEL lessons, quiet reading, or small group discussions to help children recognize strengths, manage challenges, and develop the protective factors they need to thrive.

12 months & up. Inspire imaginative play and early learning with this Community Helpers Hand Puppet Set! Excellent for creative role-play, career exploration, and cultural awareness activities, these 8 soft puppets feature realistic outfits that represent familiar occupations. Children can act out real-world scenarios while learning about the important roles people play in their communities. Perfect for home and classrooms, this engaging puppet set encourages children to develop social-emotional, language, and communication skills through storytelling and cooperative play. An ideal addition to any dramatic play or career exploration learning center. Set includes: doctor, chef, firefighter, postal worker, construction worker, farmer, veterinarian, and police officer. Each puppet measures 12"L and is perfectly sized for little hands.

3 years & up. Each cushion is printed with facial expressions to encourage children to identify and express their emotions. Children can sit on different cushions throughout the day or week to define their emotions. These Social Emotional Cushions are made of durable wipe clean vinyl. Set of six cushions. Each cushion measures 16" diameter. One year warranty.

3 - 5 years. Inspire children to explore a variety of careers with these five career garments. Features hook-and-loop closures for easy dress up. Accessories and hats are included for all with the exception of the astronaut garment. 100% polyester. Soft, machine washable fabric. Includes: Mechanic, Construction Worker, Mail Carrier, Astronaut, and Chef. Available individually or in a set of 5.

3 years & up. Provide a comfortable space for moments of respite in your classroom with the Carolina Connections Cove. The curved, semi-enclosed design and comfortable seating area foster belonging and invite children to find a sense of calm, while also creating a pathway between spaces in the classroom. Incorporate sensorial elements into the built-in rungs along the canopy to enhance play experiences for children. Made using durable birch plywood and an easy-to-clean vinyl cushion, this unit is designed to withstand the rigors of continued use. Measures 41"W x 44"H x 23"D.

3 years & up. Children can move through a space at their own pace when provided with the right affordances. Create smoother transitions between areas in the classroom, in hallways, and in transitional spaces like entryways using The Carolina Connections Explorer Rail. Curved rails at two different heights support children who are sitting or standing, offering increased mobility and inclusive experiences. The addition of a mirror helps children increase their spatial and self-awareness, intellectual curiosity, and cognitive skills. Unit features a plywood back panel and an easy-to-clean, heavy-duty plastic rail, and a shatter-resistant mylar mirror making this sturdy rail durable enough for continued use in children's learning spaces. Measures 47.5"W x 21.5"H x 6"D.

3 years & up. Children can move through a space at their own pace when provided with the right affordances. Create smoother transitions between areas in the classroom, in hallways, and in transitional spaces like entryways using The Carolina Connections Explorer Rail. Curved rails at two different heights support children who are sitting or standing, offering increased mobility and inclusive experiences. Unit features a plywood back panel and an easy-to-clean, heavy-duty plastic rail, making this sturdy rail durable enough for continued use in children's learning spaces. Rail measures 47.5"W x 6"H x 6"D.

3 years and up. The intentional design of the Carolina Connections Collaborative Easel provides a one-of-a-kind art experience that accommodates all children. The unique curved design supports children's movement through the classroom at their own pace and encourages exploration while also creating a beautiful space inspired by the organic curves found in nature. A clear acrylic art surface encourages children to interact and create together while maintaining a comfortable distance that avoids overstimulation. Adjust the height to 18", 21" or 24" to accommodate standing or seated children. Features a durable birch plywood frame, easy-to-clean acrylic panels and a paper cutter and holder. Includes removable art tray and paint cups, as well as a starter 18" paper roll. Entire easel measures 48"W x 60"H x 20"D. Replacement paper roll is sold separately, item 301789.

Create a welcoming classroom that fosters a sense of belonging using unique furniture like the Sense of Place Cozy Classroom Arch. Gentle curves and nature-inspired textures in the rattan paneling enhance the beauty of the physical environment while creating warmth and comforting balance. Arrange soft elements like the Cozy Corner Couch inside the arch to create an inviting space for one child or multiple children who need a quiet moment of respite. Entire unit measures 48"W x 56"H x 21"D.

3 - 7 years. Each book helps young children learn about their different feelings and why they have them. Understanding their own emotions is the first step by showing examples of what it feels like, looks like, and how to deal with your feelings in all situations. Set of 6.

2 years & up. Worry no more! These tactile stones have been designed to soothe, calm and help children focus. A range of textures, shapes, and natural colors stimulates many senses of users. Stones are made out of stone and are durable enough to weather the outdoors. The set includes 12 stones: two each of six designs measuring between 2"-3"each.

4 years & up. Love comes in many different forms-so do families! Show children that love, not who you are or how your family looks, is what makes a family a family with the inclusive All Families Are Special Books. Perfect for exploring all the unique ways a family can be made, this book set helps teachers and parents build nurturing and supportive environments for children where they feel safe, comfortable, and affirmed in their family backgrounds. From adoptive and single-parent families, to same-sex and multiracial families, children will love learning about all types of families and why they're special! Set of 4. Hardback and paperback mix.

4 years & up. Love comes in many shapes, sizes, and forms - so do families! Explore all the ways families and individuals can be unique with the Free to Be Me Book Set. This inclusive book set helps teachers build nurturing environments for all children where they feel comfortable exploring their feelings, learning about diverse forms of love and identity, and, most importantly, respecting the ways we're all one-of-a-kind! Hardcover/ board book combination.

3 years & up. Designed to deliver soothing deep-pressure input, this weighted pillow offers a comforting, grounding experience that can ease feelings of stress and anxiety while supporting improved attention. The gentle weight mimics the sensation of a calming hug, helping children feel secure, relaxed, and ready to learn. Children can squeeze, cuddle, or rest the pillow on their lap, stomach, or chest for immediate comfort that encourages emotional regulation and confidence. The soft, textured cover works together with the weighted interior to provide tactile input, promoting better concentration much like a traditional weighted blanket. Perfect for classrooms, therapy settings, transitions, circle time, home, or travel, this versatile sensory tool supports well-being wherever children go. The removable outer cover is machine washable for easy care, making it a practical choice for busy early learning environments.

Resource books often provide tips and tricks for managing challenging behaviors, but what happens when those tactics don't work? Most teachers give up. This book brings a raw, real, and at times funny approach to handling challenging behaviors and understanding why most behavior-management strategies don't work. Author Angela Searcy shares real-world examples, proven solutions, and new approaches to overcoming classroom disruptions using her PUSH PAST IT approach. Paperback. 176 pages.

When was the last time you got down on your hands and knees to see your classroom from a child's height? Research shows that effective early childhood classroom design begins from the ground up. Classroom design is a crucial component of an effective learning environment. This book brings a new approach to classroom design that begins and ends with the child's viewpoint. Each chapter details how the classroom environment influences children's learning, and the authors provide specific examples of how educators can use the children's perspective to make their classrooms a place of joy and possibility. Paperback. 256 pages.

With the increase in both parents working outside the home during the last two decades, infants and toddlers are spending more time together in infant/toddler programs and family child-care homes. From Biting to Hugging will give you effective strategies to help you take advantage of this peer time. Enhance the quality of peer experiences in infant/toddler group settings. Create responsive adult-child relationships and environments. Encourage positive social emotional development and learning. Teach infants and toddlers how to be in healthy, enjoyable relationships. Learn strategies for gently handling challenging behaviors. 192 pages.