Resource Books

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 »

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.

What do you get when you combine a large appliance box, a garbage bag, tape, a craft knife, and markers? A mini car wash for toddlers, of course! Find more creative ways to use a tube sock, milk carton, and other inexpensive items found around the house. Create unique, exciting toys and props to help children learn in appropriate ways.

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.

Fill your day with wonderful activities using this fun Teachable Transitions - Planned Activities from the Morning to the End of the Day. This book gives 190 activities to transform that span of time between planned activities into moments of stimulating learning. The activities in this book will help to keep your children engaged throughout the day.

Book by Jean Feldman. Over 400 ideas to make those 'between times' teachable moments and smooth transitions with simple and fun activities. 288 pages.

With new activities and explorations, tips and information to help you understand how to support the littlest learners, and research nuggets to enhance your own professional knowledge, the Encyclopedia of Infant and Toddler Activities, revised, will be your go-to resource! Activities will help you support curiosity, play, exploration, persistence, emerging foundations in literacy and math, problem solving, and so much more! Paperback. 288 pages.

3 years & up. This book has over 200 developmentally appropriate games that are great for learning to read, including games of alliteration, oral blending, writing, alphabet recognition, letter sounds, word play, and rhyming. 144 pages. By Jackie Silberg.

This fresh, practical, and realistic guide explains to parents how they can avoid mealtime battles with kids aged one to six years, using sensible strategies that will establish a lifetime of healthful eating habits. With cases ranging from the toddler who eats only peanut butter and jelly on white bread to the six-year-old who insists on scrambled eggs and cheese at every meal, pediatrician William G. Wilkoff, M.D., has been counseling picky eaters and their concerned parents for more than twenty… More »

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 »

Sometimes misbehavior isn't what it seems. Many children come to care with early signs of mental- or behavioral-health issues. Early childhood professionals are often the first to notice that something is different. "How Can I Help?" is a practical guide that helps educators first identify issues and then create nurturing, safe, and successful learning environments to set up all children for success. Learn how to: promote mental health for all children in your care, identify signs of behavioral-health… More »

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.

4 years & up. Start an open discussion about feelings and emotions with these Exploring Different Emotions Learning Cards for the Classroom and More. Children will love exploring different emotions and vocabulary as they view the cards. Have children describe the emotion they are viewing and how to handle each emotion. These cards support social emotional development with 22 different emotions. Each set includes 22 cards measuring 8.5"L x 5.5"W with photographs and a bilingual resource guide.

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 »

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 explore the world using their senses with over 400 exciting hands-on activities. The suggested activities help children develop cognitive skills, language, sensory awareness, gross and fine motor skills, self-image, sociability, imagination, and more. 168 pages.

Get ready for fun! These new and classic games, each with a noncompetitive twist, are sure to get children up and moving. You'll find everything you need to know to play over 100 great games, including outside games, musical games, circle games, concept games, and cooperative games. Every game provides benefits for children by supporting cognitive, social/emotional, and physical development. Perfect for rainy days, sunny days, and every day, each game in this book offers heart rate raising, team-building,… More »

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.

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 »

Dr. Levine shows parents and those who care for children how to identify these individual learning patterns, explaining how they can strengthen a child's abilities and either bypass or help overcome the child's weaknesses, producing positive results instead of repeated frustration and failure. Consistent progress can result when we understand that not every child can do equally well in every type of learning and begin to pay more attention to individual learning patterns -- and individual minds… More »

1 year & up. With more than 250 songs, rhymes, and chants, this book is a fun way to enrich toddlers' language experiences. By incorporating songs, chants, and rhymes into the classroom, teachers provide opportunities for children to develop every aspect of reading readiness and literacy. While the selections themselves are a great way to enhance the development of literacy skills, the follow-up suggestions for story time, outdoor play, music and movement, and literacy extension activities will… More »

Who's the expert on your child? You are! But, what if you need validation? What if you need support? What if you have questions? As a parent, you may assume others have it all figured out-that there is some kind of magic decoder ring or secret handshake that will give you the key to parenting. But, if each child is unique, how can there be a one-size-fits-all guide to parenting? Although no one can has it all figured out, "Parents Ask, Experts Answer" empowers you by offering caring, informed… More »

From 'Make New Friends' to 'Skidamarink', children will sing and learn about the people that matter most in their lives. The enclosed CD features 26 songs, old favorites and originals. The book offers more than 300 activities that teach children about family, friends, and feelings. All children love to sing and learn, so the book includes both English language learner strategies and special needs adaptations.

Seventy-nine interactive activities based on positive messages help children increase their attention spans, reduce hyperactivity, build self esteem, and facilitate language development. The interactions teach children how to be kind and caring using gentle touches. 208 pages.