Resource Books

Maltreatment during the first three years of life is of utmost concern. Not only are the numbers of harmed infants and toddlers staggering, maltreatment during this vulnerable period alters children’s development in such a way that it robs them of reaching their full human potential. As an infant-toddler child-care provider, you are a “first responder” to this national crisis, playing a key role in the early identification of maltreatment and unhealthy patterns of development. You can be a gateway… 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 »

It's a common dilemma in early childhood classrooms: How to provide new, interesting experiences on a shoestring budget. This book offers low-cost ideas for gathering and creating rich explorations in learning centers by vividly describing the unique ways teachers can use found and recyclable materials to encourage cognitive development and creative exploration in young children. In addition to photographic examples, the book offers tips on how to source, select, and integrate materials into a center;… More »

What can you add to your early childhood classroom that will immerse children in rich learning, reduce challenging behaviors, and develop confidence as well as critical thinking and problem-solving skills? A makerspace! Filled with colorful photographs taken in real early childhood settings, this book will guide you step-by-step in making a makerspace that invites young children to boldly explore materials and create something only they can imagine. Discover how to: draft a plan and gather materials,… More »

The resource you need to encourage a child's development in a variety of domains through block play. This book is full of photos that illustrate block play in real classrooms and stories from teachers who have successfully used block play to encourage children's development in a variety of domains. Age focus is 2 - 8 years. Paperback. 200 pages.

Each book is written just for that particular age group. From autumn leaves to recycling games these resource books are sure to be a favorite. Contains over 600 activities written by teachers to discover new ways to use everyday items to create fresh exciting projects. Also includes management techniques and helpful tips for working with a certain age group.

Dig In: Outdoor STEM Learning with Young Children provides strategies, ideas, real-life examples, and information to help you get children outside and learning, all while meeting required early learning standards and objectives. Explore the Learning Life Cycle and discover fresh ideas for engaging children in deeper explorations and experiences outdoors that will stick with them into kindergarten and beyond. Have more aha moments, seize learning opportunities, invite questions, and investigate answers… More »

This book has been an essential resource for the early child care field. Fully revised and expanded, the 2009 version comes with a supplementary CD containing readings on key topics, plus video examples showing developmentally appropriate practice in action. Based on what the research says about development, learning, and effective practices, as well as what experience tells us about teaching intentionally, DAP articulates the principles that should guide our decision making. Chapters describe children… More »

The differences between boys and girls, in development and attitude to learning are well documented, and a formalized early curriculum emphasizes these differences. The abilities of most girls to meet goals for learning at an earlier age may result in a tendency to focus on trying to teach boys to learn like girls, instead of recognizing their unique gifts and abilities. Dispels the myths about 'under-achievement', challenges stereotypical view of gender, and recognizes the unqiue stregths and abilities… More »

Based on census and population data, it is likely that one or more gender-expansive or LGBTQIA+ child is enrolled in every early education program in the country. Guidance for Supporting Gender Diversity in Early Childhood Education is a starting point--a primer--for early educators who are interested in learning more about working with and supporting young gender-diverse children and their families. With a focus on understanding children's gender development, this groundbreaking guide reflects… More »

This book will take educators step by step through the process of managing assessment. It explains the terminology involved, shows how to turn 'observation' into 'assessment' and outlines how to manage and interpret all the information gathered. An essential book for all early childhood educators. 128 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.

Give children a variety of ways to fall in love with rhythm, rhyme, repetition and structural sequence - important building blocks for future readers. Over 700 selections. 507 pgs.

With 100 days of plans, Daily Preschool Experiences has learning center activities for preschool learners at every developmental level. The daily plans are organized by theme into 20 units, each with a 5-day plan. Each daily plan includes subjects on morning circle activity, differentiated activities for 3 learning centers, related children's book, vocabulary words, extension activities, review of the day's experience. Because every child is unique, teachers can select the activities that fit the… More »

Children learn best through play. Did you know play supports children's skill building, from language and literacy to memory and math? Through play, children can experiment with words and concepts, express emotions and ideas, and make connections. "Playful Activities for Reading Readiness" offers purposeful, play-based activities to develop the foundational literacy and language skills young children need to succeed in school. Learn research-led tips to guide children to play their way… More »

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 »

Over 600 attention-grabbing activities to help turn stressful moments into fun learning experiences. Teachers will be able to use the transition activites in this book to fill a spare minute, help children calm down, wait for another activity, and much more. Through play, children learn to comuniate, interact,and expand their cognitive thinking horizions. 576 pages.

The ultimate resource book! Over 600 activities, stories, games, recipes, props, and dances to enhance any preschool curriculum. Plus a materials index, theme connection index, and thematic chart. Paperback. 512 pages.

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.

Enhance the growth and development of infants and young children with more than 400 fun, fast, and easy-to-use learning activities -- now in a new edition specially developed to complement ASQ-3™. Perfect for sharing with parents of children who are developing typically or need non intensive support in one or more developmental areas, these playful, developmentally appropriate activities encourage progress in the same five developmental areas as ASQ-3™: communication, gross motor, fine… More »