Resource Books

Effective teacher-student interactions are a primary ingredient of high-quality early educational experiences. With the popular CLASS® observational tool, schools can accurately assess classroom quality in K-3 classrooms based on teacher-student interactions rather than the physical environment or a specific curriculum. Spiral-bound. 128 pages.

A beginner's primer to providing professional child care for toddlers and two-year-olds! The elements of a quality learning environment are not the same for every age. The toddler years are unique, and what for preschool does not always work with toddlers. Complete with tips for creating a developmentally appropriate environment and experiences that stimulate muscles and minds, Focus on Toddlers gives caregivers the tools to craft a quality learning environment that's as unique as the needs of the children in their care.

Learning environments are an important topic as more and more teachers try to make their classrooms into places that support and inspire learning. This book shows early childhood teachers step-by-step how small changes can transform their classrooms into wondrous environments for children to learn and grow by using "before" and "after" pictures. Written in simple, down-to-earth language, this book introduces and describes the philosophy behind creative learning environments based… More »

With 100 classroom-tested activities this book makes it easy for teachers to incorporate discussions about caring for the Earth into any curriculum. Each activity features learning objectives, vocabulary, related children's books, materials, preparation (if necessary), directions, and an assessment component. Paperback.

Adults and children write to communicate ideas, to share information, and to record events. 'Playful Writing' builds on the cyclical nature of learning with open-ended play ideas that will inspire children to write. From the first marks of the youngest writers to ready writers who use their expanding vocabularies to express increasingly complex ideas, this book offers teachers, caregivers, and parents of children ages three to eight, 150 ideas for inspiring and scaffolding children's writing explorations.… More »

Child-care environments play an important role in how babies, toddlers, and two-year-olds experience learning. Colors, sounds, smells, and the placement of furniture, lighting, and textures all influence how people act and interact inside a classroom. Chock-full of colorful photographs from real-world infant and toddler settings, Enticing Environments for People under Three offers fresh ideas for making centers and classrooms inspiring for all of the people who inhabit them. Discover numerous, easy-to-implement… More »

Get the most of the revised edition with this companion CD-ROM containing more than 40 pages of Core Learning Activity handouts plus sample posters for promoting a family-friendly program environment and sample cover letters and response forms.

Discover the natural curiosity and enthusiasm of toddlers and twos as they explore creative art experiences designed just for them. In this updated, color edition of First Art for Toddlers and Twos, you will find more than seventy-five art experiences, with lots of variations that add to the fun and tips for making the activities run smoothly. There's even a chapter of special adult-made props, such as an Art Baggie Book to display a child's artwork and a Tabletop Easel made from a pizza box to… More »

In a complex and changing landscape of scare funding, high turnover rates, and differing view about priorities, the early childhood profession needs an anchor. The Whole Leadership Framework, developed by the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership, helps early childhood professionals inspire their staffs' collaboration, creativity, and ethical commitment. Learn how to: develop foundational leadership attributes and competencies, use both day-to-day management and long-range leadership skills,… More »

Movement-inspiring activities reinforce good nutrition, health and motor skills! Young children learn best when they connect physical activity with learning! Up, Down, Move Around is packed with fun, simple activities that will have your children jumping, shaking, rolling, dancing, and clapping as they learn! From the Healthy Food Obstacle Course to the Bendy Bodies Stretch, children ages 3 to 6 will get moving as they learn and support an awareness of nutrition and health concepts as well as fine… More »

Each chapter describes an issue that infants face every day, making this a perfect resource for all infant providers. There are scenarios that illustrate the challenges and suggest solutions to meet baby's needs while learning about the developmental stages. This hands-on resource is for infants 6 weeks to 18 months old and for your resource library.

Children love getting their hands dirty. Putting their fingers into clay and other squishy stuff gives them a chance to create and have fun while strengthening important developmental skills. From wet clay to paper pulp, sawdust to shaving cream, these open-ended activities focus on the process of creation, not the final product, and allow imagination to flourish. 80 pages. Paperback.

Learn what makes boys tick (and run and jump and yell), and discover how to actively engage the boys in your early childhood classroom with simple effective strategies that support boys' learning. Using the latest brain research to explore and explain the differences in how boys and girls learn, 'Wired to Move' provides early childhood educators with facts and strategies to actively engage boys in an early childhood setting. It addresses the unique needs of African-American and Hispanic or Latino… More »

This resource book is full of attention-grabbing, creative activities that provide children with an outlet for wiggles, while giving their brain a jumpstart with cross-lateral movement games. Includes songs, games, and finger plays for anytime of the day. Paperback. 208 pages.

This indispensable book helps you develop areas important for the growth of 12 to 24 month-old areas such as language, creativity, coordination, confidence, problem-solving, and gross motor skills. Toddlers will experience the joy of discovery on every fun-filled page! Paperback. 256 pages.

Parents are eager to help their children learn, but teaching young children complicated scientific and mathematical concepts can be intimidating. Simple STEAM helps parents realize they don't need to be engineers or scientists to support STEAM learning. Help children explore STEAM concepts with fun and engaging activities. Discover STEAM learning opportunities in everyday activities and experiences. Prepare children for kindergarten and build crucial 21st century learning skills, including collaboration,… More »

The Power of Presence: A Guide to Mindfulness Practices in Early Childhood offers insight and information to help you transform your teaching by learning how to pause, notice your surroundings, and simply be. Learn ways to spark joy, elevate well-being, and promote a deeper sense of inquiry, both personally and with others-young and old. Learn ways to consciously plant seeds of mindfulness at home, in the classroom, and around the world. Paperback. 112 pages.

Children are innately interested in their world. The activities in this book invite children to explore the world around them, learn about different cultures, enjoy a variety of careers, and discover the uniqueness of their very own neighborhood. From the many ways we are alike and different to the variety of homes around the world, children will delve into these social studies activities that are perfect for children ages 3 to 6. 128 pages. Paperback.

For experts in the field of early care and education, defining and providing technical assistance can be as difficult as nailing jelly to the wall. Learn to effectively coach, mentor, and train early childhood teachers and administrators with guided experiences, strategies, and activities to provide technical assistance in specific program areas like parent involvement, science, outdoor play, music. and art. 144 pages. Paperback.

This user-friendly, strategy-packed book speaks to the realities, challenges, and needs of daily life with rambunctious, enthusiastic, unpredictable toddlers in group settings. The design and format of this book highlights informative and real-life examples, with immediate take-away action steps that detail solutions and resources for practice. This book includes: real-life vignettes that show best practices in action, teacher tips, the child's point of view, action skills for success, fast facts,… More »

Open the door to teaching infants, toddlers, and two-year-olds successfully with these 300 activities linked to the latest development in child development. Observe what your children are already doing, then give them varied opportunities to develop at their own pace. This book outlines a typical development sequence in ten domains: social/emotional, fine motor, gross motor, language, cognitive, sensory, nature, music and movement, creativity, and dramatic play. Chapters on appropriate curriculum… More »

Toddlers are on the move almost constantly! Even though encouraging physical activity is not a problem, you can model new movements and skills and lay the foundation for them to enjoy physical activity as they grow. Toddlers need lots of time to master the basics, such as jumping, rolling, and balancing. As they become more comfortable with their bodies and confident in their ability to be physically active, their desire to participate will increase. They'll enjoy kicking and throwing different… More »

Turn children's love of active games into learning opportunities with these activities. Each chapter is organized by level of difficulty and each one incorporates fun math experiences with movement. Most activities require few or no materials and include related children's books or music to extend the learning. The index is an great tool as it gives teachers flexibility to plan around children's interests. Use these activities during circle or group time, or use them to reinforce other lessons.… More »

Materials, ideas, how-to tips, and what to do to make learning challenging and fun for the very young. Paperback. 192 pages.