Case Studies in Early Childhood Education by Rachel Ozretich; Linda Burt; Susan M. Doescher; Martha Foster Developmentally appropriate practice is defined by the NAEYC as teachers making decisions about the well-being and education of children based on at least three kinds of information:    What is known about child-development and learning What is known about the strengths, interests, and needs of each individual in the group Knowledge of the social and cultural contexts in which children live   Both experienced and pre-service teachers need to follow these guidelines to ensure that they are supplying programs that promote the development and enhance the learning of all the children in their classrooms.  In order to help teachers meet this goal of providing high-quality and developmentally appropriate programs for all children and their families, the authors have written a series of cases that exemplify the guidelines of the NAEYC, while at the same time showing students how to put the guidelines into actual practice.    The cases in the book depict a diversity of children in diverse family settings and offer not just challenging situations, but possible solutions to those challenges.  Each case is followed by a question (or questions) that promotes critical thinking and stimulates class discussion regarding the decisions the teacher made, the consequences of using specific practices, and the ethical bases for decision-making.  The authors also stress the value of an anti-bias curriculum and its importance in creating a caring community of learners and preparing all children for the increasingly diverse world of the future.

Early Learning Thematic Lesson Plans by Sherrill B. Flora; Julie Anderson (Illustrator) Encourage a love of learning in students in pre-kindergarten through grade 1 with Early Learning Thematic Lesson Plans! This 160-page resource engages young learners with 32 weekly themes and more than 600 developmentally appropriate activities. All of the research, planning, and scheduling has already been done. Just open the book, choose a theme, and start teaching! The book includes reproducible pattern and student activity pages, morning circle activities, a guide to children's literature, and integrated activities. This book supports NCTE, NCTM, NCSS, and NAEYC standards. Key Education products are intended to engage and educate young and special learners, as well as assist teachers in building a strong and developmentally appropriate curriculum for these children. The product line--comprised of teacher/parent resource books, photographic learning cards, and other activity- and game-oriented materials--is designed to assist in "Unlocking the Potential in Every Child.”

Professionalism in Early Childhood Education by Stephanie Feeney Investigate what it means to be an early childhood professional and acquire the knowledge, skills and traits exemplary early childhood educators possess!   Written for those entering the field or striving to grow within the profession, early child care authority and author, Dr. Stephanie Feeney helps readers understand the nature of the profession, what it means to behave in a professional way, and where they stand in their own professional journey. She devotes chapters to moral and technical competence and explains what the terms profession and professional mean. Complete with self-assessments and first-hand accounts, Dr. Feeney guides readers in understanding what it means to be an educator who embodies the highest standards of professionalism in their work with children, families and colleagues.     Take a look inside... Explores the topic of professionalism--examines what constitutes a profession, the professional status of ECE and issues related to professionalism in ECE. Discusses  what professionalism looks like in the early childhood field (Chapter 4)--includes discussion of the knowledge and skills, or what those who work with young children should know and be able to do.  Addresses  professional behavior (chapter 5)--features discussion of professional conduct, doing what is right, including ethical behavior Showcases exemplars in the field and provide guidance to aspiring early childhood professionals (chapter 6)--draws on the experiences of outstanding early childhood educators and illustrates ways to best serve young children. Includes reflection questions and self-assessments--helps readers examine their own practice and work toward a higher level of professionalism.

Reading the Art in Caldecott Award Books by Gail D. Nordstrom; Heidi K. Hammond Reading the Art in Caldecott Award Books is a practical and easy-to-use reference handbook explaining what makes the art in Caldecott Medal and Honor books distinguished. It is a useful manual for librarians, teachers, and others who want to better understand picture book illustration. This book includes many useful components: .Short entries about fifty-six books .Information on styles and media .Artistic analysis of the illustrations .Appendixes on selected sources for further reading, Randolph Caldecott Medal terms and criteria, bibliography of entries, and a list of Caldecott winners .Glossary of art terms . Indexes of author-illustrator-title, media, and style This book, used as a handbook in conjunction with Caldecott Award books, provides readers with ready-to-use information they can share with children and others, while helping to build confidence in one s ability to talk about art in all picture books."

Children's Picturebooks by Martin Salisbury; Morag Styles Children's picturebooks are the very first books we encounter, and they form an important, constantly evolving, and dynamic sector of the publishing world. But what does it take to create a successful picture book for children? In this publication, Martin Salisbury and Morag Styles introduce us to the world of children's picturebooks, providing a solid background to the industry while exploring the key concepts and practices that have gone into the creation of successful picturebooks.