As a resource book designed for teachers of preschool and kindergarten students, the text provides classroom strategies, case studies, classroom management techniques, and home-school connections to facilitate teaching the language arts. Strategies for the bilingual classrooms are also included.

The unique focus of this book integrates constructivist learning, diversity, and instruction-based assessment, and helps translate principles into practice for teachers of early literacy. The book begins with a brief overview of the recent key national policies and initiatives that have had a significant impact on the teaching of reading and writing at the preschool level. Renowned and respected authors Vukelich, Christie, and Enz describe a continuum of approaches to reading instruction, ranging from emergent literacy to Scientifically-Based Reading Research. They also present their vision of a “blended” approach to teaching literacy that includes the best elements of these diverging views. The authors end this introduction with a set of principles to guide the effective teaching of literacy in preschool and kindergarten classrooms. A Letter to Students from the Authors Dear Student, Helping Young Children Learn Language and Literacy, 2ndedition, is about teaching the language arts –about facilitating reading, writing, speaking, and listening development for children, ages birth through kindergarten. It is intended for preservice and inservice preschool and kindergarten teachers and administrators. The first edition of our book was written in late 1990s and was heavily influenced by the emergent literacy perspective that was dominant at the time. This constructivist view maintains that the best way to teach early literacy is to provide settings and experiences that provide rich, meaningful experiences with language and print. Key emergent literacy strategies include extended classroom discourse, print-rich environments, shared reading, shared writing, and literacy-enriched play. We still believe that these strategies form the core of an effective early literacy program. However, over that past decade, a series of significant national educational events have impacted early literacy education, including the standards movement,No Child Left Behindlegislation, and the use of scientifically-based reading research to make curricular and instructional decisions. The new second edition of our book reflects these important new trends and explains how this new skills-based approach to literacy instruction can be integrated with the earlier constructivist perspective. We advocate blending scientifically-based reading research with the emergent literacy perspective to create a ‘value added’ approach to language and literacy teaching and learning. The second edition contains new content focusing on the “core” knowledge and skills that young children must have to become successful readers: oral vocabulary, phonological awareness, and alphabet knowledge. Vignettes demonstrate how these skills are directly and systematically taught to young children. We also provide examples of how emergent literacy strategies such as shared reading and shared writing are being used in these same classrooms. We believe that this type of balanced approach to early literacy instruction is the best way to prepare young children to become successful readers and writers. We think that you will find our book to be very user friendly. We provide definitions for key terms and study questions at the beginnings of each chapter and concise summaries at the end. We provide many vignettes, case studies, and “trade secret” examples from master teachers to make learning and teaching come to life. Each chapter ends with a “Linking Knowledge to Practice” feature that helps connect research and theory with the practices that you will observe in preschool and kindergarten classrooms. We hope our text finds its way into your professional library and will become a helpful resource for you as you develop or continue your development as a professional educator. Sincerely, Carol, Jim, and Billie

This research-based guidebook offers PreK and kindergarten teachers easy-to-implement activities to develop oral language, phonological and print awareness, emergent writing, and comprehension skills in diverse classrooms.

This text aims to assist in the understanding of the way in which children's language and literacy develops . It outlines all the key issues in the area and explains the nature of language, the theories and sequences of language development and the development of reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. The book also includes chapters on bilingualism, communication problems and working with the child who is deaf.

This ISBN is for the Enhanced Pearson eText access code card. The core content, teaching strategies, and practical applications that prospective early childhood educators need to help children learn language and literacy Helping Young Children Learn Language and Literacy takes a reader-friendly, child-focused approach to teaching the language arts. It provides pre- and in-service teachers with sound instructional strategies to facilitate children's reading, writing, speaking, and listening development from birth through kindergarten. Recognizing that children are at the heart of good language and literacy teaching, the book focuses on four central themes: a perspective on teaching and learning that blends constructivism and science-based instruction, respect for diversity, instruction-based assessment, and family involvement in literacy learning. Each chapter identifies clear learning goals and offers opportunities for readers to check their knowledge and apply what they have learned. Real-world classroom examples and case studies bring concepts to life, helping prospective teachers connect theories to strategies they can use in their own classrooms. The 5th Edition includes up-to-date research, an increased emphasis on standards, and contains new features that reflect recent developments in the field of language arts education. Improve mastery and retention with the Enhanced Pearson eText* The Enhanced Pearson eText is: Engaging. The new interactive, multimedia learning features were developed by the authors and other subject-matter experts to deepen and enrich the learning experience. Convenient. Enjoy instant online access from your computer or download the Pearson eText App to read on or offline on your iPad(R) and Android(R) tablet.** Affordable. Experience the advantages of the Enhanced Pearson eText along with all the benefits of print for 40% to 50% less than a print bound book. *The Enhanced eText features are only available in the Pearson eText format. They are not available in third-party eTexts or downloads. **The Pearson eText App is available on Google Play and in the App Store. It requires Android OS 3.1-4, a 7" or 10" tablet, or iPad iOS 5.0 or later. NOTE: You are purchasing an access card only. Before purchasing, check with your instructor to confirm the correct ISBN. Several versions of the Enhanced Pearson eText platform exists for each title, and registrations are not transferable. To register for and use Enhanced Pearson eText, you may also need a Course ID, which your instructor will provide. If purchasing or renting from companies other than Pearson, the access codes may not be included, may be incorrect, or may be previously redeemed. Check with the seller before completing your purchase.

Supporting Children’s Learning in the Early Years is aimed at early years practitioners who are developing their knowledge and understanding of professional practice through studying at undergraduate level. The book encourages readers to consider their professional development as reflective practitioners, building on and supporting the government agenda to provide quality provision for young children and their families. Combining theory and practice, and bringing together current research and thinking in a broad range of areas, the book covers: Learning environments: young children as learners, assessment of learning, well being and children’s rights, diversity and inclusion. Learning and development: children’s development including social and emotional development, literacy and mathematical development, the potential of ICT, fostering creativity, musical development and knowledge and understanding of the world. Reflective practice: the learning environment, safeguarding and wellbeing, the reflective practitioner. Throughout, the contributions in this book encourage the reader to consider the diverse range of experiences which young children bring to early years and early primary settings and suggest ways in which they can be supported. The book will also be a valuable and unique resource for training providers of a range of courses at further and higher education level that prepare people to work with, and lead in, early years settings in the UK.

Parallel Learning of Reading and Writing in Early Childhood explores why it’s important to provide a balanced language learning environment for young children and offers approaches for children to practice and explore language. Writing – a different but parallel process – can open the door to reading, and an effective writing approach in the home and early childhood classrooms leads to the development of phonemic awareness, understanding of phonetic principles, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Effective early childhood teachers are those that extend the knowledge children have amassed at home and use the knowledge of how children learn naturally in the world to inform their practice. This book offers the purpose, context, and outcomes of including writing right from the start in young children’s literacy learning. Through analysis of writing samples, research, and principles of best practices, Shea outlines the essential ingredients for early language learning and provides a developmentally appropriate approach to language learning. Throughout the chapters, Shea integrates discussion of assessment, classroom environment, instructional/teacher scaffolding, and differentiating instruction across developmental levels along with the supporting theory. Special features: vignettes and descriptions of Pre-K, K, and Grade 1 classrooms that incorporate writing across the day artifacts of children’s writing that demonstrate an evolution of knowledge related to both message and word construction concept labeling words and topic specific terms defined throughout the book to support the reader’s understanding of professional terminology discussion of seminal and current research as well as best practices Companion Website with lesson ideas and abundant writing samples from a wide range of demographic, cultural, and language contexts for readers to view, analyze, and discuss. This text offers pre- and in-service early childhood education teachers the content and resources to develop a deeper understanding of language learning, to prompt an examination of current practice, and to stimulate curricular re-designs that foster meaningful, joyful, and motivated learning.

As the world comes to grips with what it means to be literate in the twenty-first century, Understanding and Supporting Young Writers from Birth to 8 provides practitioners with the skills and knowledge they need to support young children effectively as they learn to write. Interweaving theory and research with everyday practice, the book offers guidance on all aspects of writing, from creating multimodal texts and building children’s vocabulary, to providing support for children who find writing particularly challenging. With appropriate strategies to develop young children’s writing from an early age included throughout, the book discusses the role of oral language in early writing in detail and explores the key relationships between ‘drawing and talking’, ‘drawing and writing’ and ‘drawing, talking and writing’. Each chapter also features samples of writing and drawing to illustrate key points, as well as reflective questions to help the reader apply ideas in their own settings. Further topics covered include: progressions in children’s writing writing in the pre-school years developing authorial skills developing editorial skills teaching writing to EAL learners. Understanding and Supporting Young Writers from Birth to 8 is a unique resource that will help early childhood educators, early years school teachers, specialist practitioners working with very young children, and students enrolled in Early Childhood or Primary Studies courses to boost their confidence in teaching young learners as they become writers.

Before children are readers and writers, they are speakers and listeners. This book provides creative, hands-on strategies for developing preschoolers' speaking, listening, and oral comprehension skills, within a literacy-rich classroom environment. Each chapter features helpful classroom vignettes; a section called Preschool in Practice, with step-by-step lesson ideas; and Ideas for Discussion, Reflection, and Action. The book addresses the needs of English language learners and describes ways to support students' literacy development at home. The final chapter pulls it all together through a portrait of an exemplary day of preschool teaching and learning. Reproducible forms and checklists can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.

This text provides a comprehensive understanding of the foundational literacy knowledge, skills, behaviors, and attitudes necessary to guide emerging readers and writers in early childhood. Centered on the critical question of why some children learn to read easily, while others do not, this text walks readers through developmentally appropriate goal setting based on the foundational literacy skills that are critical for preschool and kindergarten children to develop. Written in an authoritative yet accessible style, chapters offer instructional strategies, insights, and scenarios from educators, self-reflection, and a variety of methods for implementation. Each chapter also includes differentiation for children with language and learning challenges as well as dual language learners, exploring methods for valuing the home language while building critical literacy skills in the classroom. Providing critical skills for guiding all emerging readers to an independent reading level, this is an essential resource for both students in early childhood, literacy, and special education courses and educators in early childhood public education, non-profit preschool settings such as Head Start, home and daycare settings, and private and corporate care and education centers.