Understand the value of connecting animals and children From family pets and wild animals to toys, stuffed animals, and media images, animals are a central part of every child’s landscape. This book examines the reasons why children should interact and connect with real animals, and it identifies the rich learning that results. You’ll find heaps of foundational support and practical ideas to create authentic experiences that bring children and all kinds of species of animals together—including many adaptations if live animals are not permitted in your setting. Connecting Animals and Children in Early Childhood Examines the basic qualities that make animals so appealing to children Explains how animals impact children’s cognitive, social-emotional, and inter- and intrapersonal development and growth Includes an overview of the many ways animals are present in children’s lives Introduces authentic experiences with animals that are supportive of children’s understanding and learning, and respectful to both animals and people Provides real-life examples of how to bring animals into your classroom with suggestions for planning, ideas for finding the right pet, and resources for making experiences meaningful, relevant, and joyful for children Patty Born Selly is executive director of the National Center for STEM Elementary Education at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota. As the founder of Small Wonders, an educational consulting company offering services to schools, faith-based communities, and other organizations, Patty has developed hundreds of classes to help programs incorporate nature, science, and green education.

At the Underpants Zoo each of the animals sports underwear suited to her or his own personal style.

The thematic units in this valuable resource provide a variety of hands-on activities, fingerplays, and songs, as well as family letters and many timesaving reproducibles. Children will enjoy exploring these twelve thematic units: All About Me, Animals, Community Helpers, Dinosaurs, Fall, Family, Five Senses, Friends, Insects, Nursery Rhymes, Shapes and Colors, and Transportation.

"Early themes - animals is one of a new series of teacher resource books designed to support teachers as they impart knowledge about commonly-taught themes in early childhood classrooms. The books contain a variety of ideas for using the themes to assist teachers as they convey early skills and concepts using cross-curricular activities in learning centres or whole class activities." --p. iii.

This board book introduces children to some fun animal idioms.

"Early themes - places is one of a new series of teacher resource books designed to support teachers as they impart knowledge about commonly-taught themes in early childhood classrooms. The books contain a variety of ideas for using the themes to assist teachers as they convey early skills and concepts using cross-curricular activities in learning centres or whole class activities." --p. iii.