Resource Books

When trust is the foundation, everything changes. Trust First: Turn Behaviors that Challenge Us into Opportunities to Learn shares a powerful approach to classroom management built on relationships, respect, and belonging. In this practical, inspiring guide, Dr. Deborah Bergeron and Rhonda Conn-Parent help early childhood educators move beyond compliance-based systems and cultivate an environment where children feel safe, connected, and ready to learn. With real-world strategies grounded in trust psychology, the book addresses persistent challenges - such as behavior issues and disengagement - through a new lens of compassion, communication, and community. Whether you�re facing burnout or simply seeking a more joyful and connected way to teach, this book will reframe the way you view your students. Rediscover the joy of teaching through the power of trust.

Every leaf, stone, and feather hold the potential to spark imagination and learning. Nature's Palette is a seasonal guide to open-ended art experiences that connect young children to the natural world while nurturing independence, creativity, and cognitive growth. Using Montessori principles and nature-based learning, author Janine Kloiber invites educators to rethink art time as an opportunity for discovery, reflection, and child-led expression. With clear guidance and developmentally rich ideas, each chapter introduces versatile techniques such as felting, marbling, stringing, and weaving using found and sustainable materials. Full of ideas for bringing more purpose and possibility to your art activities, this book.

As today's early learning environments become more linguistically and culturally diverse, educators face the growing need for practical, inclusive strategies to support young multilingual learners (MLLs). This extensively updated edition of Many Languages, One Classroom offers a hands-on, user-friendly roadmap for creating welcoming spaces where every child feels a sense of belonging and is empowered to succeed. Drawing from the latest research, classroom trends, and educator feedback, author Karen Nemeth, MEd, integrates meaningful updates throughout the book-enhancing guidance on family partnerships, equity and inclusion, curriculum fidelity, and support for both bilingual and monolingual teachers. New features also include connections to Connect4Learning® The Pre-K Curriculum and NAEYC's most recent guidance on developmentally appropriate practice, along with updated terminology, coaching insights, and curated resources for digital and professional development.

The shift in reading instruction has left many early childhood educators searching for clarity and support. Ready to Read bridges the gap between research and real-world practice, offering early childhood teachers the tools they need to deliver evidence-based, developmentally appropriate instruction grounded in the science of how young children build literacy skills. Edited by literacy expert Latisha Hayes, PhD, this resource brings together leading voices in the field to demystify key concepts and provide practical, easy-to-implement strategies tailored to pre-K and kindergarten classrooms. Whether you're just beginning your structured literacy journey or looking to align your instruction with new mandates, this guide will help you feel equipped and empowered. Paperback. 240 pages.

Every child deserves a supportive, inclusive environment where they can thrive. Nurturing Neurodiversity: Creative Strategies for Engaging Young Learners is a must-have guide for early childhood educators looking to create classrooms that embrace neurodiversity and benefit all learners. Drawing on years of experience in early childhood education, Sarah Taylor Vanover, EdD, shares innovative ideas for using art and music, movement and dance, outdoor activities, calming and mindfulness, and sensory-friendly spaces to support young children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, and other neurodivergent conditions.

This expanded second edition offers a rich collection of 35 design challenges for children ages 3 - 8, featuring both updated favorites and brand new activities. It also includes a curated list of 140 picture books that inspire STEM-focused exploration while reflecting the diverse experiences, interests, and identities of young learners.  Educators will find enhanced foundational content, including clearer connections among tinkering, making, and engineering; updated terminology aligned with current research on how children learn; and practical guidance on observing, documenting, and assessing learning. A customizable planning template for creating your own design challenges is also available online.  With this hands-on resource, you can harness children's natural curiosity and creativity to spark meaningful STEM discovery and learning through play.

Young children need a strong foundation in understanding water's role in our world, especially as climate change impacts ecosystems, weather, and daily life. Gadzikowski provides educators with hands-on, inquiry-based activities that align with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and Next Generation Science Standards. This resource builds vocabulary, supports scientific exploration, and fosters children's curiosity about the importance of water in natural and human-made systems. With engaging ideas for play-based engineering investigations, the book helps children develop critical thinking skills while nurturing a lifelong appreciation for water and its impact on our planet.

Do children in your classroom have a hard time starting or completing activities? Do they struggle to remember directions? Are they easily distracted? Do they have a hard time making and keeping friends? Alert and Attentive offers practical strategies to help young children develop the attention skills they need to thrive. Learn how self-regulation and executive function skills work together to support attention and focus. Discover ways to create a calm and supportive learning environment that fosters concentration, helps children ignore distractions, and promotes learning. Alert and Attentive is your go-to guide for creating a classroom where children thrive. With practical tips, real-world stories, and evidence-based strategies, you'll empower young learners to reach their full potential.

Family engagement is one of the most powerful predictors of student achievement, and parent-teacher conferences are a key opportunity to build those important connections. Partnering for Success: Strategies for Effective Parent-Teacher Conferences equips early childhood educators with practical, research-based techniques to foster trust, collaboration, and communication with families. This essential guide provides step-by-step strategies for planning, conducting, and reflecting on conferences that go beyond routine meetings to become meaningful, productive partnerships. Each chapter delivers actionable tips - from creating a welcoming environment and listening effectively to celebrating achievements and following up. With helpful forms to make planning easier, this book helps educators confidently navigate every stage of the conferencing process.

Tired of keeping up with behavior charts and doling out rewards and punishments that never seem to work? Ready to ditch the "good job" stickers and the dreaded time-out spot? Thinking Outside the Prize Box offers a fresh, research-based approach to supporting children and fostering positive classroom behavior. Discover how to transform your classroom into a place where children thrive and here you can teach with joy nd confidence. With Adam Holland's trademark humor, hilarious real-world examples, nd actionable advice, Thinking Outside the Prize Box will have you chuckling as you learn effective ways to create the classroom community you've always hoped for.