Activities

Young children with special needs often face physical, emotional, or social barriers to deep engagement with the natural world. These challenges need not prevent them from enjoying the many benefits nature has to offer. Nature is a necessity. Research tells us that we are happier, healthier, more socially engaged, and more creative when it is part of our daily lives. These benefits apply to people of all ages and abilities. In this inspiring book, Dr. Ruth Wilson explores the great potential of… More »

This new book features 100 activities all about shapes! Contributed by teachers, these activities are organized by curriculum area and offer fresh ideas that provide hours of engaging activities. Complete with learning objectives, related children's books, and an assessment component, teachers will find everything they need to teach children ages 3-6 all about shapes. 128 pages.

This award-winning curriculum for 3-6 year olds offers a complete plan for every learning style. Revised and updated, the new edition of this classic bestseller is full of new activities based on the latest research about how children learn. The comprehensive appendix has been updated and the patterns are now available exclusively online so teachers can easily print them onto paper at any time! 416 pages.

This best selling book comes with 2 CD's featuring 50 songs. Children will build a strong foundation in skills such as listening, imagination, coordination, and spatial and body awareness. Accompanying songs are sure to get children up and moving! 500 pages.

More than 300 theme activities written by teachers for teachers! Actively engage children's imaginations with more than 300 activities for young children organized into a variety of popular themes -- from the alphabet to the weather. The result of a nationwide contest among teachers, the classroom-tested activities in Another Encyclopedia of Theme Activities for Young Children provide many months of learning fun! Each activity is complete with learning objectives, materials list, related children's… More »

Now more than ever, adults must help children develop the skills necessary to navigate through life successfully. By focusing on building social and emotional strength, we increase children's resilience and prepare them to handle the challenges in life. The strategies and activities in "Socially Strong, Emotionally Secure" help children become socially and emotionally healthy for life. Organized into five chapters, the activities support and build resilience in children ages 3 to 8. 160 pages. Paperback.

Early childhood educators are responsible for the health and safety of the children they care for. From preventing harm from known safety risks to promoting children's medical, nutritional, oral, and mental health, educators and program directors act as children's daily protection and support. This easy-to-use manual provides educators with the information they need to ensure that the children in their care are safe, while they learn the best practices to stay healthy for life. With suggestions,… More »

How do children learn about the world around them? They touch, taste, see, smell and hear it, of course! With over 200 activities, Learning Games will delight children as they expand their learning by engaging all of their senses. The chapters are organized by each of the five senses, with a bonus chapter of multi-sensory activities. The games and activities are designed to help children identify and use their senses-essential tools for understanding the world. Paperback. 168 pages.

Children love outdoor play. Now teachers can combine the magic and excitement of the outdoors with activities that encourage and support learning! This book includes more than 100 new teacher-created, classroom-tested outdoor activities that engage children's minds and bodies as much as they explore the limitless bounds of the outdoors while also building key skills in areas like math, literacy and language, science, art, and music. Perfect for ages 3 - 6. Activities include: counting, alphabet,… More »

What can you add to your early childhood classroom that will immerse children in rich learning, reduce challenging behaviors, and develop confidence as well as critical thinking and problem-solving skills? A makerspace! Filled with colorful photographs taken in real early childhood settings, this book will guide you step-by-step in making a makerspace that invites young children to boldly explore materials and create something only they can imagine. Discover how to: draft a plan and gather materials,… More »

Over 600 learning center activities created by teachers for teachers. You'll find traditional learning centers with new twists as well as unique new learning centers to spice up your classroom. 576 pages.

With the help of the stories and activities in this book, take the time to watch, wonder, ask questions, talk about, and explore the world of science with your child. Use favorite children's books to investigate animals and insects, learn how plants grow and change, and discover how shadows grow and shrink. With four chapters that cover a multitude of themes, it's never been easier to deepen your child's understanding of important science and reading concepts at the same time! 144 pages. Paperback.

Contains over 600 activities written by teachers illustrating new ways to use everyday items to create fresh exciting projects. Also includes management techniques and helpful tips for working with 4 year olds. 624 pages

Thoughtfully created learning centers are bubbling with opportunities for active learning. Dr. Jean, beloved author of dozens of books and songs, and coauthor Carolyn Kisloski bring you a collection of practical ideas and tips to inspire engagement and spark learning in your classroom centers-and, importantly, keep children coming back for more. Children learn best through play. Discover how you can help them thrive in your learning centers. The Possibilities of Play brings expert tips for selecting… More »

Movement-inspiring activities reinforce key literacy and math concepts! Young children learn best when they connect physical activity with learning! Up, Down, Move Around is packed with fun, simple math and literacy activities that will have your children jumping, shaking, rolling, dancing, and clapping as they learn! From the Syllable Freeze Dance to a Math Orchestra, children ages 3 to 6 will actively explore letters and numbers as they develop number sense, practice counting and rhyming, and… More »

The resource you need to encourage a child's development in a variety of domains through block play. This book is full of photos that illustrate block play in real classrooms and stories from teachers who have successfully used block play to encourage children's development in a variety of domains. Age focus is 2 - 8 years. Paperback. 200 pages.

Each book is written just for that particular age group. From autumn leaves to recycling games these resource books are sure to be a favorite. Contains over 600 activities written by teachers to discover new ways to use everyday items to create fresh exciting projects. Also includes management techniques and helpful tips for working with a certain age group.

30 Fun Ways to Learn with Blocks and Boxes is full of small group and individual activities that explore construction, collaborative play, and basic math concepts. From building basic models and mazes to constructing complex stairs and bridges, these activities ignite children's imaginations and engage their creativity and critical thinking. 80 pages. Paperback.

Rainy Day Activities has everything you need to make being stuck inside fun! This resource is filled with quiet games to create relaxing moments, active games to get the wiggles out, and games that require no materials at all. 64 pages.

Engage children with meaningful constructive play! This book 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. Lesson plans include: Thanksgiving -- sharing and giving; our families and ourselves;… More »

Counting is the foundation for future math learning. Pairing and sorting objects, understanding numbers and quantity, and counting can all be introduced with simple activities. 30 Fun Ways to Learn About Counting brings these skills into the classroom with fun and engaging games and activities! 80 pages. Paperback.

"L is for Lion" helps children learn letters easily and entertains them with the fun activities in this book. Each letter of the alphabet has two full pages of activities and ideas, including: foods to enjoy that begin with the letter, games or activities that reinforce the shape or sound of the letter, a song, poem, or tongue twister featuring the letter, and suggestions of books to read. Paperback. 80 pages.

Use the games in 30 Fun Ways to Learn About Writing to make early writing in the classroom exciting and fun! Whether labeling objects, making lists, or writing notes, children will be engaged and active with these creative activities that stimulate curiosity and imagination. 80 pages. Paperback.

Music does more than teach children to sing or play an instrument. The music and movement activities in 30 Fun Ways to Learn About Music build children's development in other areas, like literacy, math, physical fitness, and coordination. These activities also help children develop concentration, build confidence, and help children's creative and social development. 80 pages. Paperback.