Offers practical ways to support young dual language learners and their families. Addresses communicating, using technology, pairing children, and more.

The third edition of Building Blocks provides readers with a framework for successful and meaningful inclusion of preschoolers with special needs. Like the first two editions, the third edition offers teachers effective, research-based instructional practices to promote learning in inclusive classrooms. The authors have updated existing content and added new content to reflect current thinking in the field.

Discover the science behind exploring, designing, and building block structures with young children.

With over 50 great activities, "Block Play" is a must-have for every teacher. Clear descriptions of what children learn by playing with blocks accompany the activities. Each activity encourages developmental skills such as problem-solving, math, science, language, and social skills. Watch children experience the joy of learning through blocks Sharon MacDonaldis the best-selling author of "Squish, Sort, Paint, & Build" and "Everyday Discoveries." She has been involved in early childhood classrooms for 28 years, and now spends her time training teachers and writing books and articles. She lives in San Antonio, Texas.

How and what should young children be taught? What emphasis should be given to emotional learning? How do we involve families? Addressing these and other critical questions, this authoritative volume brings together developmentalists and early educators to discuss what an integrated, developmentally appropriate curriculum might look like across the preschool and early elementary years. State-of-the-science work is presented on brain development and the emergence of cognitive, socioemotional, language, and literacy skills in 3- to 8-year-olds. Drawing on experience in real-world classrooms, contributors describe novel, practical approaches to promoting school readiness, tailoring instruction to children’s learning needs, and improving the teaching of language arts, math, and science.

The handbook is composed of chapters by authors who discuss the important features of particular types of toys, provide information related to the developmental importance of this type of toy, discuss social and cultural issues engendered by play with such toys, and review the available research on the characteristics and potential impact on children’s developmental progress of toys of that type. Both traditional toys and technological toys are discussed. The handbook is expected to serve both as a reference for educators, parents, toy designers, and other interested readers, and as a catalyst for further research and ongoing toy development. Its purpose includes helping readers to gain knowledge that enables them to more fully appreciate the value of children’s toy play, find out more about the favorite toys they had in childhood and relive those satisfying play experiences, and learn how to foster the learning, physical development, and social-emotional growth that comes from such toy play.

Traces the history of building blocks as educational toys, discusses how play reflects a child's intellectual development, and looks at various types of blocks.

Blocks are a key teaching tool in any early childhood program. Through well-planned, teacher-supported block play experiences, young children can build math, language, and social skills. Let's Build provides educators of young children with guidance in how to create early childhood environments that support children's natural need to play. It includes strategies for creating and scaffolding the block play experience, recommends children's books that support the learning, and outlines ways to match behaviors, content, and concepts to learning standards. More than just a collection of activities, lesson plans are based on ten broad themes including: Large Buildings Around the World, Wild Animals, Ways to Travel, and Our Families and Ourselves.