Introduction
Chapter 1: Setting a Foundation for Teaching
- Celebrating How Children Learn
- Tips for Teaching: Learning by Observing
- Helping Children Thrive with Developmentally Appropriate Practice
- Balance Points: Using Reflective Practice
- Connecting Teaching to Children’s Lives
- Individualized Teaching: Using a Strengths-Based Approach
- Ready Resources: Exploring Your Community Context
- Understanding the Role of Play in Development
- Teaching with Children in Mind
- Helpful Hint: Following the Children’s Lead
- Research Connections: Strategies for Inclusion
- Exploring Elements of Child-Centered Teaching
- Sample Lesson Plans: Planning a Child-Centered Daily Schedule
- Links to NAEYC Early Learning Program Accreditation Standards and Assessment Items
- Reflection Questions
Chapter 2: Making Lesson Planning Work for You
- Engaging Children in Active Learning
- Balance Points: Positive Communication with Children
- Planning a Variety of Teaching Contexts
- Tips for Teaching: Creating a Rich Context for Learning
- Individualized Teaching: Planning Personal Conversation
- Exploring Levels of Support in Child-Centered Teaching
- Ready Resources: Exploring Emergent Curriculum
- Tips for Teaching: Effective Strategies to Support Child-Centered Learning
- Helpful Hint: Adding Teaching Strategies to Lesson Planning
- Being Consistent While Staying Flexible
- Tips for Teaching: Getting Organized and Staying Inspired
- Research Connections: Increasing Opportunities for Learning
- Helpful Hint: Planning Materials for Play
- Sample Lesson Plans: Planning Thematic Play Experiences
- Links to NAEYC Early Learning Program Accreditation Standards and Assessment Items
- Reflection Questions
Chapter 3: Preparing Child-Centered Themes and Play Areas
- Identifying Learning Goals for Play
- Recognizing Interdependence Among Areas of Development and Learning
- Supporting Emerging Skills and Dispositions
- Ready Resources: Exploring Standards and Early Learning Guidelines
- Digging Deeper with Content Skills for Child-Centered Teaching
- Helpful Hint: Considering the What, How, and Where of Play Areas
- Research Connections: Creating Active Learners
- Fostering Language Development During Play
- Tips for Teaching: Maximizing Language Support
- Helpful Hint: Making Play More Complex
- Balance Points: Planning Effective Behavior Guidance During Play
- Providing a Rich Context for Multilingual Learning
- Ready Resources: Strategies for Multilingual Learners
- Using Individualized Support
- Tips for Teaching: Supporting Children with Special Needs
- Ready Resources: Key Components of Inclusive Programs
- Sample Lesson Plans: Connecting Learning Across Content Areas
- Sample Book Lists: Aiming for Big Ideas and Concepts
- Links to NAEYC Early Learning Program Accreditation Standards and Assessment Items
- Reflection Questions
>Chapter 4: Planning Teacher-Directed Activities
- Introducing New Information
- Tips for Teaching: Connecting to Children’s Daily Lives
- Engaging Children in Higher-Level Thinking
- Tips for Teaching: Choosing a Method and Activity
- Following a Sequence of Planning
- Tips for Teaching: Infusing the Joy of Writing
- Research Connections: Creating a Rich Contact Zone for Learning
- Teaching Children with Special Needs
- Individualized Teaching: Writing Personalized Supports
- Making the Most of Learning Objectives
- Helpful Hint: Being Proactive
- Ready Resources: Maximizing Vocabulary in Content Areas
- Sample Lesson Plans: Teacher-Directed Learning
- Links to NAEYC Early Learning Program Accreditation Standards and Assessment Items
- Reflection Questions
Chapter 5: Using Observation, Documentation, and Assessment to Guide Teaching
- Understanding Assessment with Young Children
- Tips for Teaching: Exploring and Using Data
- Understanding the Assessment Cycle
- Research Connections: Identifying Equity Issues
- Benefiting from Authentic Assessment
- Exploring Types of Authentic Assessment
- Assessing and Supporting Children Who Are Linguistically Diverse
- Balance Points: Seeing from the Child’s Point of View
- Ready Resources: Building on Developmental Milestones
- Ready Resources: Understanding Early Screening and Intervention
- Helpful Hint: Sharing Assessment Information with Families
- Committing to Ethical Practice
- Links to NAEYC Early Learning Program Accreditation Standards and Assessment Items
- Reflection Questions
Chapter 6: Enriching Communication with Families and Colleagues
- Planning and Communication as Anchors of High Quality
- Research Connections: Strengthening Teaching with Family Engagement
- Sharing Information Using Strengths-Based Language
- Tips for Teaching: Foundations for Integrating Culture
- Ready Resources: Ensuring Equity and Opportunity
- Enjoying Relationship-Based Teaching and Learning
- Tips for Teaching: Communicating with Colleagues
- Setting Goals, Establishing Priorities, and Sharing Progress
- Balance Points: Self-Regulation and Behavior
- Building Family Engagement Using Lesson Plans
- Helpful Hint: Strategies for Positive Impact
- Ready Resources: Family Engagement for Successful Teaching
- Sample Lesson Plans: Family Interview Questions
- Links to NAEYC Early Learning Program Accreditation Standards and Assessment Items
- Reflection Questions
References
About the Author
Index