This book should be in every preschool
classroom! It is difficult to find information that is new, engaging, and proven
successful in the classroom, but finally, here is a useful tool for preschool
teachers. I especially love the features within each chapter that break down
suggestions for play materials, tips for incorporating technology, questions to
consider, and more. I am excited to implement these ideas and activities.
—Dana Pergola, Pre-K Teacher, Passaic
Public Schools
Grounded in developmentally appropriate
practice, this essential and practical book supports and inspires preschool
teachers and coaches to intentionally select and use play materials to foster
children’s engagement, creativity, and learning across all domains. Bresson and
King empower us to hold on to the joy of teaching through creating and
reflecting on developmentally appropriate environments, materials, and
teacher–child interactions.
—Holly Seplocha, Professor Emeritus,
William Paterson University, and Early Childhood Consultant and Author
Play is such an important topic, and
Lisa and Megan have presented a beautifully simple approach to choosing the
“right stuff” for the preschool classroom. Each chapter is filled with ideas,
wonderings, and questions to reflect upon. Breaking the chapters down into
domains of learning allows for working on one area of development at a time.
This is the perfect addition to my bookshelf. I can’t wait to share it with my
staff and see how they integrate some of these suggestions in their classrooms!
—Karen Humphris, Executive Director,
Passaic County Community College Child Development Center
I hope this book finds its way into the
hands of all preschool teachers, coaches, and college faculty. The authors
adopt a strong commitment to joy and curiosity and hold the teacher as a
creative professional and essential collaborator with children. The “right
stuff” it offers is everything one would need to create a vibrant early
learning classroom. It opens on a strong foundation of curiosity about and in
children and on how to foster joy and learning with play. What follows is a super
accessible and well-organized feast of resources and activities. Of note are
the questions at the end of each part that help teachers connect to their own
learning and well-being. This resource is a complete package that will help any
teacher embody the truth that any time becomes the right time to capitalize and
build on children’s curiosity.
—Katie Emerson-Hoss, Higher Education
Outreach and Implementation Manager, EarlyEdU Alliance at University of
Washington
What a wonderful resource! The supply lists,
suggestions for how to incorporate the play materials into learning
experiences, and linkages to how they support development are both useful and
engaging. I cannot wait to use this book with my staff and graduate students.
—Kristen Allen, Director of Early
Education, YWCA Rhode Island
This book accurately describes how
planning and designing the environment to include specifically chosen play
materials for preschool-age children will have a significant impact on early
childhood educational practices. Well written and simply stated, this resource
will be invaluable to child care professionals in their educational journey.
—Eve Robinson, Program Director, Grow NJ
Kids, and Instructor/Visiting Specialist, Montclair State University
This book weaves together child
development and the critical importance of play, while empowering teachers to
creatively make decisions for play materials that foster children’s learning.
It is a fantastic resource for teachers in all stages of their career and for
the coaches that support them.
—Kelley J. Perkins, Co-Director, Early
Childhood Leadership Institute, Rowan University
