Resource Books

Professional development is important, but early childhood professionals get just as bored, worn out, and disengaged from learning as their younger counterparts do. But while pre-K and K-12 classroom learning continues to evolve and improve, adult learners are often left by the wayside! There must be a better way. "Lose the Lecture" brings administrators, coaches, and facilitators a new approach to professional development and adult learning that focuses on the learners-how they think,… More »

Recent research has drawn the link between children's brain development and time spent in the natural environment. Every child deserves a safe play to play, supportive adults to watch him grow, and an environment that offers them endless possibilities. In "Seasons of Play," Rusty Keeler takes readers on a photographic journey through real child care centers that have embraced his philosophy that natural play environments create new opportunities for children to explore and grow. This book… More »

Create readers while creating art! Contains activities that reinforce letter recognition and pre-reading skills. 160 pages.

The fourth edition of this developmentally appropriate practice books includes the context of the growing world of early childhood. With a strong focus on equity and teaching and supporting all children, it emphasizes the importance of social, cultural development.

Preschoolers tend to be social beings. Whether they are playing with dolls side by side, building block castles together, or rolling down hills with friends, most young children enjoy the company of others. Playing together comes naturally, but you can help them negotiate turn taking, learning how to mend hurt feelings, and practice communicating positively while they play. This book highlights the milestones children tend to reach during the preschool years as they develop socially. As a guide… More »

If the timing is right, the learning that occurs in the first five years can be a gold mine, promoting valuable cognitive and physical development that lasts a lifetime. Boosting Brain Power provides 52 strategies - one for every week of the year - to help teachers stimulate healthy brain growth in young children. In addition to well-researched strategies, each snippet of information offers teachers evidence-based instructions for how to bring the concepts to life in the classroom. In this book,… More »

Combine children's active games with over 100 literacy activities. They will engage the whole child in moving, playing and developing literacy skills needed for reading and writing. Each activity has objectives, material list, instructions, and extension ideas. Paperback. 136 pages.

Meet the challenge of creating an effective learning environment for young children. Includes ideas for planning, using, and evaluating learning spaces that captivate and encourage the developmental process. Complete with illustrations, letters to parents, and literacy ideas.

Join the growing nature-based learning movement! Written for educators by educators, Partnering with Nature turns theoretical ideas about the benefits of nature in childhood into achievable results. Discover how to meet state-mandated early learning standards while enjoying daily nature-based activities. With a sample class schedule, a list of essential items to carry in a backpack, an outline of seasonal topics, seasonal activities at a glance, and an assessment tool, this practical, inclusive… More »

by Sharon MacDonald. Over 200 easy-to-plan learning center activities for language and literacy, science, manipulatives, art and more. 272 pages.

Whether you see a preschooler laughing or crying, hugging or tugging on a playmate, taking risks or seeking comfort from an adult, you know that they are developing their emotional skills and growing up in so many ways every day. And they need your help! This book shares common milestones and typical scenarios to help you recognize various ways that preschoolers express their feelings and interact with others. As you support preschoolers struggling to handle emotional challenges that occur during… More »

Thoughtfully created learning centers are bubbling with opportunities for active learning. Dr. Jean, beloved author of dozens of books and songs, and coauthor Carolyn Kisloski bring you a collection of practical ideas and tips to inspire engagement and spark learning in your classroom centers-and, importantly, keep children coming back for more. Children learn best through play. Discover how you can help them thrive in your learning centers. The Possibilities of Play brings expert tips for selecting… More »

Thinking BIG, Learning BIG is filled with BIG activities. The chapters are organized by topic, with activities which build science, math, literacy and language skills, to form a solid foundation for future learning. The BIG Connections section presents ways to integrate the topic throughout the curriculum in sensory experiences, art, music, dramatic play, and gross motor skills. Paperback. 312 pages.

The children in today's early childhood classroom are more culturally, linguistically, and ability diverse than ever. As a teacher, your challenge is to partner with each family through recognizing their individual strengths, concerns, priorities, and resources. Dr. Johnna Darragh Ernst offers practical ideas for creating a welcoming atmosphere for families that will encourage them to participate in their children's learning community. From improving children's school readiness to encouraging positive… More »

A unique teaching resource perfect for large groups of children. Playful learning approach and unique educational content teaches children key literacy skills. The 100 plans follow a literacy scope and sequence so teachers can help children develop and practice the literacy skills they need to be successful readers. Each chapter focuses on a familiar early childhood topic, such as friends, feelings, colors, and houses and homes. Paperback. 224 pages.

Use this set of six teacher resource books to support your implementation of "Learn Every Day®: The Program for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos".

Contains over 600 activities written by teachers illustrating new ways to use everyday items to create fresh exciting projects. Also includes management techniques and helpful tips for working with kindergarteners. 640 pages.

8 - 36 months. Children are able to communicate by signing before they develop the skills necessary for speech. By teaching sign language to children from as young as seven months we can help them to convey their emotions and their needs. This first signing guide for hearing and deaf children contains over forty key signs. Designed for parents and carers to share with babies, with it's simple and clear instructions and endearing illustrations, this book is an ideal introduction to signing. A helpful… More »

Available in packages of 5 booklets, each with 6 observation sheets and 1 scoring summary sheet, these are the forms needed to conduct the Classroom Assessment Scoring System® (CLASS® ) observation. These forms are a part of CLASS®, the bestselling classroom observational tool that measures interactions between children and teachers -- a primary ingredient of high-quality early educational experiences. With versions for toddler programs, PreK (in English and Spanish), and K-3 classrooms,… More »

This essential book features practical information on guiding your children through your divorce. Topics include: how to tell the children, keeping your ex from becoming an ex-parent, handling the holidays, learning "divorce-speak", dating and more. Children do not believe in no fault divorce. They blame the parents or themselves. No matter what their age, they need reassurance, security and love to get through this painful period. Drawing on her own and others' experiences as well as… More »

It matters that children develop, through teacher guidance, the social-emotional skills they need to succeed in and participate in life. This comprehensive resource outlines how guidance fosters the five democratic life skills. 176 pages.

4 years & up. Start an open discussion about feelings and emotions with these Exploring Different Emotions Learning Cards for the Classroom and More. Children will love exploring different emotions and vocabulary as they view the cards. Have children describe the emotion they are viewing and how to handle each emotion. These cards support social emotional development with 22 different emotions. Each set includes 22 cards measuring 8.5"L x 5.5"W with photographs and a bilingual resource guide.

This practical resource, now an expanded and updated second edition, is your guide to building a strong anti-bias program, including learning to know yourself. This title offers information on culture and language, racial identity, family structures, gender identity, economic class, different abilities, holidays, and more. 224 pages.

This book contains hundreds of up-to-date service projects and ideas presented in an engaging, kid-friendly format and it has something for everyone who wants to make a difference. Features and benefits include: over 500 service learning project ideas -- from simple to large scale, the "Ten Steps to Successful Service Projects", a new sections on Internet use and school service learning requirements, step-by-step instructions for creating flyers, petitions, press releases, and more. The… More »