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 experiment—and many include variations and helpful hints.

Over 65 hands-on art, science, and outside play activity ideas for creating engaging environments

Ooey Gooey® Tooey is the highly anticipated sequel to The Ooey Gooey® Handbook. No matter what age group you work with, this book will be a valuable addition to your resource shelf. With 140 activities for you to do with children, Ooey Gooey® Tooey is chock full of art ideas and sensory tub concoctions, and sure to become an early childhood classic!

Discover why playing is school readiness with this updated guide. Timely research and new stories highlight how play is vital to the social, physical, cognitive, and spiritual development of children. Learn the seven meaningful experiences we should provide children with every day and why they are so important.

Let children experience the learning power of play! Let’s 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 team’s 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.

Playtime is focused, purposeful, and full of learning. As they play, children master motor development, learn language and social skills, think creatively, and make cognitive leaps. This (un)curriculum is all about fostering children's play, trusting children as capable and engaged learners, and leaving behind boxed curriculums and prescribed activities. Filled with information on the guiding principles that make up an (un)curriculum, learning experience ideas, and suggestions for building strong emotional and engaging physical environments, Let Them Play provides support to those who believe in the learning power of play. Jeff A. Johnson spent twenty-five years as a child care provider in center- and home-based programs. He now works full time as an author, keynote speaker, podcaster, toymaker, and early learning advocate. He is the author or coauthor of six other Redleaf Press books. Denita Dinger has been a child care provider for more than fifteen years and operates a family child care program. For the last five years, she has been a frequent keynote speaker at early childhood conferences, focusing on the topics of hands-on learning and learning through play.

Forty learning adventures for children and adults who work with and care for children—all supporting the power of social play

A national bestselling author examines one of the mind's most exalted states—one that is crucially important to learning, risk-taking, social cohesiveness, and survival itself. “[Jamison is] that rare writer who can offer a kind of unified field theory of science and art.” —The Washington Post Book World With the same grace and breadth of learning she brought to her studies of the mind’s pathologies, Kay Redfield Jamison examines one of its most exalted states: exuberance. This “abounding, ebullient, effervescent emotion” manifests itself everywhere from child’s play to scientific breakthrough. Exuberance: The Passion for Life introduces us to such notably irrepressible types as Teddy Roosevelt, John Muir, and Richard Feynman, as well as Peter Pan, dancing porcupines, and Charles Schulz’s Snoopy. It explores whether exuberance can be inherited, parses its neurochemical grammar, and documents the methods people have used to stimulate it. The resulting book is an irresistible fusion of science and soul.

Lisa Murphy on Child-Centered Environments provides an in-depth exploration of the author’s approach to working with children. Lisa Murphy outlines nine characteristics programs need to build an environment that’s child-centered, where play, developmentally appropriate practice, and academic standards all come together under one roof. Nine characteristics of a child-centered environment: 1. Children are provided long periods of uninterrupted free time to explore their environment 2. Children are provided lots of time outdoors 3. Children are able to explore the environment with few restrictions 4. Adults control the environment, not the children 5. Adults serve as facilitators within the space 6. Adults articulate the intention behind their words and actions 7. Adults are familiar with current research and the key contributions of historical child development theorists 8. Adults are aware of the importance of keeping it real 9. Children are provided time and opportunity to create, move, sing, discuss, observe, read, and play every day Using true-to-life examples, anecdotes, and Lisa Murphy's signature conversational style, this book presents and explores the true identifying characteristics of a hands-on, play-based, child-centered environment.