Resource Books

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.

This book has been an essential resource for the early child care field. Fully revised and expanded, the 2009 version comes with a supplementary CD containing readings on key topics, plus video examples showing developmentally appropriate practice in action. Based on what the research says about development, learning, and effective practices, as well as what experience tells us about teaching intentionally, DAP articulates the principles that should guide our decision making. Chapters describe children… More »

Dig In: Outdoor STEM Learning with Young Children provides strategies, ideas, real-life examples, and information to help you get children outside and learning, all while meeting required early learning standards and objectives. Explore the Learning Life Cycle and discover fresh ideas for engaging children in deeper explorations and experiences outdoors that will stick with them into kindergarten and beyond. Have more aha moments, seize learning opportunities, invite questions, and investigate answers… More »

As an early educator, you face many challenges. You may be asking yourself if you�re in the right place, doing the right thing. You may be wondering if you�re making a difference. You may be feeling symptoms of burnout but see opportunities to be a positive influence on individuals around you. Change your life and transform your leadership by embarking on a joyful journey today. Even if you do not have an official leadership position, you can lead with joy. If you are an individual who uplifts,… More »

Nature-based early childhood education is a rapidly growing trend! Although many schools and programs have incorporated nature-based learning, educators can feel at a loss when trying to evaluate quality in this learning approach. But don�t worry - Evaluating Natureness: Measuring the Quality of Nature-Based Classrooms in Pre-K through 3rd Grade is here to help! Designed with early education practitioners, researchers, and policy makers in mind, the NAture-Based Education Rating Scales (NABERS)… More »

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.

This book will take educators step by step through the process of managing assessment. It explains the terminology involved, shows how to turn 'observation' into 'assessment' and outlines how to manage and interpret all the information gathered. An essential book for all early childhood educators. 128 pages.

Grounded in best practices and current research, this hands-on resource connects the dots that link brain activity, motor and sensory development, movement, and early learning. The expert authors unveil the Kinetic Scale: a visual map of the active learning needs of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and primary graders that fits each child's individual timetable. Teachers, parents, and caregivers will find a wealth of information, actionable tips, and games they can use to support children's healthy… More »

Based on census and population data, it is likely that one or more gender-expansive or LGBTQIA+ child is enrolled in every early education program in the country. Guidance for Supporting Gender Diversity in Early Childhood Education is a starting point--a primer--for early educators who are interested in learning more about working with and supporting young gender-diverse children and their families. With a focus on understanding children's gender development, this groundbreaking guide reflects… More »

Over 2000 experiences and ideas in one book. Designed for ages 12-36 months. Each of the 100 daily topics is divided into activities and experiments that enrich all skills through stories, music, art, exercise, and more. A detailed appendix offers quick reference to helpful tools. 640 pages.

Over 600 attention-grabbing activities to help turn stressful moments into fun learning experiences. Teachers will be able to use the transition activites in this book to fill a spare minute, help children calm down, wait for another activity, and much more. Through play, children learn to comuniate, interact,and expand their cognitive thinking horizions. 576 pages.

The ultimate resource book! Over 600 activities, stories, games, recipes, props, and dances to enhance any preschool curriculum. Plus a materials index, theme connection index, and thematic chart. Paperback. 512 pages.

Children learn best through play. Did you know play supports children's skill building, from language and literacy to memory and math? Through play, children can experiment with words and concepts, express emotions and ideas, and make connections. "Playful Activities for Reading Readiness" offers purposeful, play-based activities to develop the foundational literacy and language skills young children need to succeed in school. Learn research-led tips to guide children to play their way… More »

Professional development is important, but early childhood professionals get just as bored, worn out, and disengaged from learning as their younger counterparts do. But while pre-K and K-12 classroom learning continues to evolve and improve, adult learners are often left by the wayside! There must be a better way. "Lose the Lecture" brings administrators, coaches, and facilitators a new approach to professional development and adult learning that focuses on the learners-how they think,… More »

With 100 days of plans, Daily Preschool Experiences has learning center activities for preschool learners at every developmental level. The daily plans are organized by theme into 20 units, each with a 5-day plan. Each daily plan includes subjects on morning circle activity, differentiated activities for 3 learning centers, related children's book, vocabulary words, extension activities, review of the day's experience. Because every child is unique, teachers can select the activities that fit the… More »

Give children a variety of ways to fall in love with rhythm, rhyme, repetition and structural sequence - important building blocks for future readers. Over 700 selections. 507 pgs.

Meet the challenge of creating an effective learning environment for young children. Includes ideas for planning, using, and evaluating learning spaces that captivate and encourage the developmental process. Complete with illustrations, letters to parents, and literacy ideas.

The Business Administration Scale for Family Child Care (BAS) is the first valid and reliable tool for measuring and improving the overall quality of business and professional practices in family child care settings. It is applicable for multiple uses, including program self-improvement, technical assistance and monitoring, training, research and evaluation, and public awareness. It is currently embedded in many state quality rating and improvement systems (QRIS) across the nation.

It matters that children develop, through teacher guidance, the social-emotional skills they need to succeed in and participate in life. This comprehensive resource outlines how guidance fosters the five democratic life skills. 176 pages.