Bøger udgivet af Redleaf Press

There has been much attention given to the achievement gap between white and minority students, especially African American children. Through research and years of experience, the author breaks down the cultural influences on children's learning styles and provides a practical approach to helping black children thrive in the classroom.For black children, which Sullivan defines as those of African descent, there is a disconnect between learning preferences and learning environments that must be bridged before the achievement gap can be closed. This hands-on resource is filled with effective strategies and best practices to help early childhood educators expand their "e;toolbox"e;for supporting children.Increasing cultural intelligence will allow us to work across the many differences in our classrooms. As our schools become more diverse, cultural competency will be an increasingly important skill for teacher's efficacy and children's success. By cultivating the individual genius of each child and meetingchildren where they are today, we can invigorate the education system and provide children high-quality early education experiences.Debra Ren-Etta Sullivan, EdD, is the cofounder and president of Praxis Institute for Early Childhood Education. She has more than twenty-five years of experience in higher education as a teacher, researcher, and administrator.

Early childhood educators need to be cognizant of the disconnect between public policy and classroom practicethe success of children they teach depends on it. This book analyzes how ineffective practices are driven by unexamined public policies and why educators need to challenge their thinking in order to make a difference in children's lives. A very complex story about public policy and the importance of teaching is told while entertaining and engaging the reader throughout.Michael Gramling is an expert in providing family literacy training and positive guidance training and has conducted experiential supervisor and mentor coach institutes for Head Start programs.

Pedagogical Documentation in Early Childhood is an inspiring step-by-step guide to documenting children's ideas, questions, play, and learning in a way that enhances teachers' thinking and understanding at the same time. This book supports teachers on their journey to tell the stories behind children's work and inquiry. Susan Stacey has worked in the early childhood education field for over thirty-five years as an early childhood educator, director, practicum advisor, and instructor in both Canada and the United States. She is a frequent speaker across North America.

Parents will appreciate Creating a Beautiful Mess because it's fun and helpful. This book isn't about parenting rights or wrongs; it's about playful, joyous play experiences for childhood that are universal. It boils down the essential play experiences in an accessible, practical, and easy way. The chapters represent an optimal balance among experiences that support learning, provide physical activity, encourage creative expression, and promote social and family connections.Ann Gadzikowski is an early childhood educator and the author of several books. She is a frequent presenter at professional conferences on the topics of both early childhood education and gifted education.

Maurice Sykes has made advocating for and advancing high-quality early childhood education his lifes work. Through mentorships, presentations, and personal example, Maurice challenges and inspires educators to become effective leaders who make a difference in childrens lives. He does the same in this book as he shares stories of the hills and valleys of his personal and professional journeys throughout the presentation of eight core leadership values: human potential, knowledge, social justice, competence, fun and enjoyment, personal renewal, perseverance, and courage.Use this book to develop the skills, knowledge, and habits of mind you need to be a successful leaderand do the right thing for children, whether you serve at the individual, organizational, or classroom level.Maurice Sykes directs the Early Childhood Leadership Institute at the University of the District of Columbia's National Center for Urban Education.

Relationships play an important role in human development, especially in the first years of life. Bridging the Relationship Gap provides caregivers tools and encouragement to be the strong, positive, and nurturing adult these children need in order to thrive.Learn more about the factors that contribute to the achievement and relationship gap, including ecological, biological, and cultural differences. Most importantly, find many tools and resources to help you more effectively deal with the tough situations and become each child's strongest ally.Sara Langworthy, PhD, currently serves as policy coordinator for Extension Children, Youth, and Family Consortium at the University of Minnesota.

Go beyond reading about early learning theories and see what they look like in action in modern programs and teacher practices. With classroom vignettes and colorful photographs, this book makes the works of Jean Piaget, Erik Erikson, Lev Vygotsky, Abraham Maslow, John Dewey, Howard Gardner, and Louise Derman-Sparks visible, accessible, and easier to understand. Each theory is definedthrough engaging stories and rich visualsin relation to cognitive, social-emotional, and physical developmental domains. Use this book to build a stronger comprehension of the foundations of early learning theories and become more reflective and intentional in your work with young children.

Excite young learners with this collection of more than 80 simple science experiments. Each activity promotes learning and requires materials that are likely already in your classroom or kitchen. Each fun activity includes simple instructions and a clear explanation of the experimentand many include variations and helpful hints.

Examine the evolution of developmentally appropriate practice with this biographical history of early childhood education. This book explores the theory's progressionfrom its beginnings in writings of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century philosophers, its experimental implementation by eighteenth- and nineteenth-century practitioners, and its scientific grounding in contemporary theory and researchand includes biographical sketches and perspectives of eleven philosophical, pedagogical, and theoretical figuresthe giantsin this evolution. David Elkind, PhD, is the best-selling author of more than twenty books and a well-known early childhood expert who has appeared on shows including Today Show, CBS Morning News, 20/20, Dateline, Donahue, and Oprah.

Every state has developed some form of early learning standards. Find out how you can apply and use them in ways that are most beneficial to children.Updated to reflect the continuing evolution of early learning standards, this book offers help and hints, support and clarification, and clear explanations of how you can make early learning standards come alive in your early childhood classroom or program. Youll find tools to communicate exactly how you are addressing childrens learning as you plan for cognitive and foundational skill development, as well as suggestions to assess childrens progress. Easy-to-read charts present information about each major content area or area of development and descriptions of what those standards might look like in classrooms. The charts also suggest activities and interactions to support a child as he or she makes the first attempts toward the standard, progresses toward it, and finally accomplishes the standard.New to this edition: A chapter focusing on Approaches to Learning standards The most recent information on early learning standards from across the country References to the Common Core State Standards and their relationship to early learning standardsGaye Gronlund has consulted for national organizations, state agencies, school districts, and early childhood programs for more than twenty years. She helped two states write their early learning standards. Gronlund is well known for her many books and keynote presentations.

There's a lot of conversation in the early childhood community on evaluating teachers to improve their performance. Raising the quality of early care and education is a priority for policymakers and practitioners on local, state, and federal levels. As a result, much attention is being focused on early childhood educators to ensure that they do a goodand betterjob teaching young children. This book provides accessible information, guidance, techniques, and tools to aid directors, coaches, principals, and others leaders as they evaluate and support teachers in a way that encourages and enables them to do their best work with children.

In every classroom, there is a person who cares about the way children learn, grow, and feelthe teacher! The affirming verses and fanciful illustrations in A Teacher's Promise express what all teachers wish for the children they teachthat they develop self-confidence, perseverance, curiosity, and an enjoyment of learning. This book can help ease fears children might have about joining a new classroom or child care setting.Rachel Robertson is vice president of learning and development at BrightHorizons.Priscilla Prentice is also the illustrator of When You Just Have to Roar!

Let children experience the learning power of playtogether! Let's All Play provides all-new adventures that support children's social skill development through thoughtful group play, interaction, and conversation. These play experiences help children engage with each other and the world around them, all of which leads to rich learning. This book also encourages adults to reflect on the value of children's play through deep thinking activities.Let's All Play builds on the early learning principles presented in Jeff A. Johnson and Denita Dinger's first book together, Let Them Play, and the open-ended learning adventures in their second book, Let's Play.

Noah knew he was different. He could see things that others couldn't, like the patterns in the dust that floated down on sunbeams.Noah is different. He sees, hears, feels, and thinks in ways that other people don't always understand, and he asks a lot of questions along the way. Noah loves science, especially the weather. His books usually provide him with the answers he needs, until one day, there's one question they don't answerand that is where Noah's windy adventure begins.Filled with rich, sweeping illustrations, this picture book celebrates the inquisitive nature of all children, including those on the autism spectrum, who cannot stop asking a question until an answer has been unearthed.The book contains a page of information for parents, caregivers, and educators about the importance of helping children feel good about their differences and know that being different is okay.Michelle Worthington was born in Brisbane, Queensland, and has lived there all her life. She is much-published author in Australia.Joseph Cowman lives and paints in the hills and valleys of suburban Idaho. He is a long-standing member of the Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators. He is the illustrator of six other Redleaf Lane books, including most recently, The Amazing Erik and Rita and the Firefighters.

Everyone is talking about signing with young children. As a form of early communication for infants and toddlers, or as a transitioning tool for children just beginning to speak, the benefits of signing with hearing children are endless.Sign to Learn is the first complete introduction to sign language curriculum for hearing preschoolers. In this unique resource, you will learn how to integrate American Sign Language (ASL) into your classroom to enhance the academic, social, and emotional development of children, and how to respectfully introduce children to Deaf culture.This comprehensive, fully illustrated curriculum contains captivating activities and lesson plans grouped by themes, including feelings, food, seasons, animals, songs, and families. Sign to Learn also contains strategies for using sign language with children with special needs and in multilingual classrooms, and it describes how ASL can assist you in developing a literacy program and in managing your classroom.Information-rich appendices include a thorough ASL illustration index, sample letters to families, and resources for further reading.

How do you help young children learn more about Native Americans than the cultural stereotypes found in children's books and in the media?Lessons from Turtle Island is the first complete guide to exploring Native American issues with children. The authorsone Native, one white, both educatorsshow ways to incorporate authentic learning experiences about Native Americans into your curriculum. This book is organized around five cross-cultural themesChildren, Home, Families, Community, and the Environment. The authors present activities, from children's books they recommend, to develop skills in reading and writing, science, math, make-believe, art, and more. The book provides helpful guidelines and resource lists for selecting appropriate toys, children's books, music, and art, and also includes a family heritage project."e;[A] marvelous tool that should be in every American school."e;Joseph Bruchac, author of Heart of a Chief and The Winter PeopleGuy W. Jones, Hunkpapa Lakota, is a full-blood member of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation. He is a co-founder of the Miami Valley Council for Native Americans in Dayton, Ohio.Sally Moomaw teaches at the University of Cincinnati. She is the co-author of the More Than . . . curriculum series published by Redleaf Press.

As an early childhood professional, teaching young children is an important function of your job. You may not realize, however, that time spent teaching children results in learning opportunities of your own. This collection of heartening classroom stories reflects the change, growth, and learning that happens when teachers take time to learn from children. Lessons shared are centered on themes of being the best teacher you can be, helping children feel special, and helping children learn in new ways. Each story is followed by the author's personal reflection on the event and the lasting impact it made. You are invited to apply these stories to your own experiences as you realize the influence children have on your life. These touching narratives will encourage, support, and challenge you to be a better personboth at home and in the classroom. Learning from the Children is an inspiring reminder that some of the biggest lessons come from the smallest teachers.

Let children experience the learning power of play! Lets Play is a handbook full of child-led, open-ended learning adventures. The 39 fresh, fun, and budget-friendly activities (plus more than 225 play variations) are packed with learning that helps children develop important motor, cognitive, language, and social skills. These activity starters were all tested by a slew of early childhood professionals and approved by the children they work with. Building on the early learning principles presented in the author teams first book together, Let Them Play: An Early Learning (Un)Curriculum, they also support your transition to a play-based, child-led (un)curriculum.Jeff A. Johnson has more than twenty years of early childhood experience as a former child care center director and current family child care business owner. He is a popular keynote speaker, trainer, and author of six books.Denita Dinger has been a child care provider for more than ten years and is a frequent speaker at early childhood conferences, focusing on the topics of hands-on and play-based learning. This is her second book.

Create a warm and inviting place where children feel at home.Discover the many ways your home can provide comfortable places where children love to learn and love to be. Filled with no- and low-cost ideas, this book demonstrates many unique and practical possibilities for your home's indoor and outdoor spaces. Chapters are packed with colorful photographs and provide examples and tips for designing learning zones, selecting items, organizing materials, and more. Checklists, resources, and questions are included to help you evaluate your setting, implement changes, and create a place that feels like a second home to the children in your care.

Is your early childhood program struggling with how to enjoy holidays in a respectful, anti-bias way? Now you can let the celebrating begin! Celebrate! is the comprehensive resource to guide you through the sensitive issues surrounding holidays. It is filled with strategies for implementing exciting culturally and developmentally appropriate holiday activities so you can party with ease. Chapters include Developing a Holiday Policy, Selecting Holidays, Addressing Stereotypes and Commercialism, Evaluating Holiday Activities, and more. Celebrate! tells you how to involve families and get on the road to making holidays something that everyone looks forward to celebrating!Includes a preface by Louise Derman-Sparks.

More than 75 empowering and healing classroom activitiesChildren living with uncertainty and insecurity often have difficulty focusing on learning. They might demonstrate disrespectful or defiant behaviors, act out, or act with aggression. As an educator, you may provide the only stability in their otherwise turbulent world.Making It Better explains trauma-informed education, an approach that recognizes the impact of traumatic stress on children and its effect on the growing brain, and applies the latest neurological research to teaching methods, disciplinary policies, and interactions to support grieving children.This book responds to the learning and behavioral needs of children who have experienced traumatic events or toxic stresssuch as natural disasters, community violence, or abuse or neglect within the childs familial relationsand includes a collection of activities and strategies to help children heal and feel empowered.Distressed children need absolute emotional security and an opportunity to engage in healing activities. With your help, children can begin to build resiliency and find renewed hope for the future.Barbara Oehlberg, MA, is an education and child trauma consultant who has presented for many organizations throughout the country. With a career that has spanned many levels, Barbara has spent more than 30 years making a positive impact on childrens lives.

Working in the Reggio Way helps teachers of young children bring the innovative practices of the schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy, to American classrooms. Written by an educator who observed and worked in the world-famous schools, this groundbreaking resource presents the key tools that will allow American teachers to transform their classrooms, including these: Organization of time and space Documentation of children's work Observation and questioning Attention to children's environments This workbook also contains interactive activities for individual or group reflection. Julianne Wurm works as an instructional reform facilitator in the San Francisco Unified School District. She lives in San Francisco, California.

Conversations take place in every early childhood classroombetween teachers and children, and among children. Are You Listening? asks teachers to examine these conversations and their impact on children's learning.Often, teachers use conversations to impart information to children instead of really listening to children and allowing them to make their own decisions. Grounded in child-centered, relationship-based theory, this book covers topics such as how to create an environment that supports quality conversations, how to encourage conversations that support learning and development, and how to work with children with limited language capabilities.

With effective communication as its theme, From Parent to Partner explores the reasons and basis for developing ongoing partnerships with parents and families of children in childcare settings and provides the tools and strategies to build the support network within which these partnerships thrive.

A strong comprehension of early childhood theory is fundamental to early childhood educators' abilities to make informed decisions about the ways they support children's development and learning. In this book, Carol Garhart Mooney writes about the important task early childhood educators have to understand the foundational theories behind their daily practices. When this is accomplished, they are better able to refine their practices, create thoughtful curriculum, and do their best work with children.To this end, Garhart Mooney advocates that everyone working in early childhoodcaregivers, educators, consultants, administratorsshould hold degrees in early childhood. With a focus on the value that comes when early childhood educators have strong theoretical knowledge and are able to articulate why they do something for children, Theories of Practice is a call to everyone in the field to raise the standards of early childhood education. Garhart Mooney emphasizes that early childhood educators can work more confidently and effectively with children when they understand the link between best practices and the research behind them.Carol Garhart Mooney has been an early childhood professional for more than forty years and is currently the executive director at Holy Cross Early Childhood Center in Manchester, New Hampshire. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's degree in early childhood education. She has completed coursework for a doctorate in sociology of the family.

More than 100 movement activities for early elementary childrenPhysical education is a critical part of every early childhood curriculum. Children need to move to channel their energies in creative, beneficial ways and to learn habits for lifelong health and fitness. Early Elementary Children Moving & Learning provides more than 100 developmentally appropriate activities that contribute to a well-rounded curriculum in any classroom or program.The book containsAn updated introduction reflecting new research and trends in early childhood health and fitness and information on how movement benefits children’s learning and developmentMore than 100 activities that fall under five categories: openers and closers, basic movement, cooperative activities, educational gymnastics, and rhythm and danceExtension ideas and adaptations to use with children who have special needsCurriculum connections for each activity and explanations about how activities are aligned with and meet early learning standards from NAEYC and AAHPERDOriginal music to add joy and energy to the activities

Use loose parts to spark children's creativity and innovationLoose parts are natural or synthetic found, bought, or upcycled materials that children can move, manipulate, control, and change within their play. Alluring and captivating, they capture children's curiosity, give free reign to their imagination, and motivate learning.The hundreds of inspiring photographs showcase an array of loose parts in real early childhood settings. And the overviews of concepts children can learn when using loose parts provide the foundation for incorporating loose parts into your teaching to enhance play and empower children. The possibilities are truly endless.

More than 50 movement activities for toddlersPhysical education is a critical part of every early childhood curriculum. Children need to move to channel their energies in creative, beneficial ways and to learn habits for lifelong health and fitness. Toddlers Moving & Learning provides more than 50 developmentally appropriate activities that contribute to a well-rounded curriculum in any classroom or program.The book containsAn updated introduction reflecting new research and trends in early childhood health and fitness and information on how movement benefits children’s learning and developmentFourteen lesson plans, each with one body parts activity, one nonlocomotor activity, one locomotor skill experience, and one activity exploring an element of movement, for a total of 56 activitiesExtension ideas and adaptations to use with children who have special needsCurriculum connections for each activity and explanations about how activities are aligned with and meet early learning standards from NAEYC and AAHPERDOriginal music to add joy and energy to the activities

The journey to professional and personal growth takes time, and the road isnt always smooth, but it is a learning-filled adventureHolly Elissa Bruno, Janet Gonzalez-Mena, Luis Antonio Hernandez, and Debra Ren-Etta Sullivan are accomplished professionals and respected leaders in the early childhood field. After a decade of speaking together at national professional development conferences, they now give you twelve of their most important presentation topics as essays. Each chapter presents a dialogue among the authors about a particular topic and the lessons gleaned from facing and overcoming uncertainty and obstacles.Merging each authors distinct voice, expertise, and life experiences, this collection unveils the authors personal and meaningful histories, insecurities, and insights. You will be encouraged and challenged to think more deeply and openly about your own practices and philosophies. You will gain a renewed sense of purpose as you help children reach their full potentials. And you will discoveras the authors didthat every bump in the road is an invitation to grow and opportunity to learn.Holly Elissa Bruno, MA, JD; Janet Gonzalez-Mena, MA; Luis Antonio Hernandez, MA; and Debra Ren-Etta Sullivan, EdD, are acclaimed keynote speakers, authors, and experts on a variety of topics in early childhood.

Working with two- and three-year-olds is an important job, one that will influence childrens lifelong learning. With strategies to plan a developmentally appropriate program, build positive relationships with young children, and support young childrens learning in all areas, Teaching Twos and Threes is a classroom essential. Whats more, its packed with creative activity ideas! It will help youReflect on your teaching practices as you plan a developmentally appropriate program that is stimulating and authentic for all twos and threesFoster childrens independence in an environment that is filled with opportunities for free explorationPlan hands-on and engaging art, circle time, dramatic play, science and nature, cooking, and writing exploration activities and experiencesDeborah Falasco is lead teacher for the two- and three-year-old program at Wimpfheimer Nursery School, the laboratory school at Vassar College. Deborah is a frequent presenter and has received several awards recognizing her outstanding work with toddlers.