In the first years of life, as children observe, imitate, and interact with people and their environment, the brain is structuring a foundation for vocabulary, values, cognitive processes, and social skills. Educators, you can help influence that development by teaching the skills and dispositions of intelligent, creative, effective decision makers and problem solvers. Within these pages, Arthur L. Costa and Bena Kallick share the authentic stories and experiences of teachers who have taught these Habits of Mind (HOM) to young children: - Persisting - Managing impulsivity - Listening with understanding and empathy - Thinking flexibly - Thinking about thinking - Striving for accuracy - Questioning and posing problems - Applying past knowledge to new situations - Thinking and communicating with clarity and precision - Gathering data through all senses - Creating, imagining, and innovating - Responding with wonderment and awe - Taking responsible risks - Finding humor - Thinking interdependently - Remaining open to continuous learning The practical examples in this book show how anybody who works with young children can introduce the Habits of Mind in entertaining and concrete ways that are developmentally appropriate. By designing learning experiences that reflect the situations and challenges children face in their lives, educators can help our youngest citizens begin to develop the habits of mind that feed a lifetime of learning.

Early childhood educators are keenly aware of the importance of a child’s transition to “real school.” This transition is occurring earlier in a child’s life now that school districts nationwide are moving to pre-kindergarten experiences for 3- and 4-year olds. Annually, more than one million children attend public school pre-k programs overseen by elementary school principals who, although veteran educational leaders, were not trained to oversee these programs. Although pre-k classrooms are rapidly growing and deserve special attention, school leaders must be reminded that early childhood means more than pre-kindergarten; it extends through third grade. School leadership needs to understand the principles of early childhood education to effectively support all children age three to grade three. Professional and Ethical Consideration for Early Childhood Leaders is a collection of innovative research that crafts an overall understanding of the importance of early childhood leadership in today’s schools. The book employs strategies to improve support for children in early childhood years, examines the different roles of early childhood leadership, analyzes best practices for implementation in early childhood contexts, and explores improvements for leadership preparation for schools with pre-k through third-grade children. While highlighting a wide range of topics including advocacy, cultural responses, and professional development, this publication is ideally designed for educators, administrators, principals, early childhood development teachers, daycare instructors, curriculum developers, advocates, researchers, academicians, and students.

"Essential for teachers and students to develop critical thinking skills is examining current dispositions and behaviors; to become more mindful of why we think the way we do and to become more thoughtful about actions we take. Mindfulness and Thoughtfulness provides both theoretical basis for, and practical ideas about, the Habits of Mind"--

The Early Years Handbook for Students and Practitioners is a comprehensive and accessible course text for all degree level students undertaking programmes related to early years and childhood studies. Designed and written by the SEFDEY Professional Association and a team of new expert contributors, this text provides a balanced approach to the subjects discussed and encourages you to consider and challenge perceptions of early years and to promote good professional practice. This edition has been extended to cover the learning and development of children from birth to 8 years and features new chapters on research, risk, neuroscience, the environment and more. Divided into four parts - The Student-Practitioner-Professional; The Learning and Development of Children 0-8; The Child, Family and Society; and The Senior Practitioner-Professional - the book covers all aspects of working with young children and engages you with theory that is explicitly linked to your practice. In each chapter, the book seeks to help you develop your professional identity and includes: Activities to help you to reflect on your own practice Debates and dilemmas to promote discussion between students and colleagues Real-life case studies and photographs to illustrate key points Extended "reflective thinking" boxes outlining key research in the field and implications for practice Suggestions for key projects to help those looking for research topics The book is supported by a companion website featuring, for students, links to useful websites and video material, and an interactive flashcard glossary. Online support for lecturers includes ideas for tasks and activities to use in class and the diagrams and images in the book available to download.

What's the secret to making schoolwide SEL work? Growing numbers of people recognize that social-emotional learning (SEL) is central to a well-rounded education and to success in life outside and beyond the school building. What's missing is the know-how and framework for weaving SEL into the fabric of the school. In this highly practical and eminently readable book, Thomas R. Hoerr shows teachers, administrators, and other school staff how to integrate the Formative Five success skills (empathy, integrity, self-control, embracing diversity, and grit) with school culture essentials by answering these questions: 1. How can you ensure that your school or district is helping students develop their SEL skills across disciplines? Address your values, vision, mission. 2. What effective programs and activities support student development of SEL skills at the classroom, school, and district levels? Consider your practices. 3. How can you leverage personal relationships within the school and in the community to cultivate students' appreciation of how the differences among us make us stronger? Involve your people. 4. How can you weave an SEL narrative into your school’s culture? Live your narrative. 5. What can you do to establish and nurture a welcoming school environment as you strive to enhance students' SEL skills? Embrace your place. Replete with real-life examples from the author's years as a school leader, relevant findings from the research, and helpful strategies for use at all levels and with all K-12 populations, Taking Social-Emotional Learning Schoolwide is the ultimate blueprint for making sure students and staff are equipped to thrive.

Even young students can develop vital critical thinking skills when they have access to rich content, meaningful opportunities to practice, and guided instruction. Critical thinking—evaluating and analyzing data to make informed judgments—is essential in both the classroom and everyday life. Teaching critical thinking skills in the elementary grades is often an afterthought—if it's a thought at all. Veteran primary teacher and instructional leader Erin Shadowens proposes that students of all ages benefit when teachers expand the definition of what is possible by engaging young learners with real challenges and supportive, accessible learning environments. In Critical Thinking in the Elementary Classroom, Shadowens * Explores the concept of critical thinking, clarifies misunderstandings, and delves into relevant research. * Introduces the Critical Thinking Framework to help nurture deep thinking in the context of content-focused lessons. * Presents case studies of the framework in action. * Shows how to apply the framework at the unit and lesson levels, addressing common instructional pitfalls along the way. * Describes how a "virtuous cycle" of assessment and feedback promotes academic achievement and critical thinking. * Illustrates how to foster an intellectual community with young learners. Ultimately, this book guides elementary teachers in supporting students to think deeply about rich content, make insightful connections, and address issues in broader, more meaningful ways, both in and outside of school.

Here, Carol Mullen uncovers vital information about the needs of the nation's schools that can be reflected in program content and policy reform. She contends that in today's education climate there exists an urgent call for university faculty to take responsibility for reforming university preparation programs. Otherwise, the least effective of these programs could be eliminated, as has already occurred in North Carolina. This book should help principal preparation programs that are behind the times to move forward. Such programs can thus be expected to be aligned not only with the expectations of universities, policymaking bodies, and the public, but also with school districts and practicing school leaders.

In recent decades, and around the world, much attention has been given to the role of spirituality in the education of children and young people. While educationalists share many common goals and values in nurturing the spiritual lives of children and young people, national and regional cultures, religions and politics have impacted on the approaches scholars and practitioners have adopted in their investigations and practices. The different contexts across nations and regions mean that educators face quite distinct conditions in which to frame their approaches to spiritual education and research, and the nature and impact of these differences is not yet understood. This book brings together thinkers from around the globe and sets them the task of explaining how their research on children’s spirituality and education has been shaped by the historical, cultural, religious and political contexts of the geographic region in which they work. The book presents contributions in three sections – Europe and Israel, Australasia, and The Americas– and concludes with a chapter highlighting what is common and what is contextually unique about global approaches to spirituality and education.

The Practical Guidance in the Early Years Foundation Stage series will assist practitioners in the smooth and successful implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Each book gives clear and detailed explanations of each aspect of Learning and Development and encourages readers to consider each area within its broadest context to expand and develop their own knowledge and good practice. Practical ideas and activities for all age groups are offered along with a wealth of expertise of how elements from the practice guidance can be implemented within all early years settings. The books include suggestions for the innovative use of everyday ressources, popular books and stories. Planning for the Early Years Foundation Stage complements the six Learning area books in this series by explaining the basis of clear planning and how it links to careful observation and assessment. Useful examples are provided throughout, Planning across the Early Years Foundation Stage will raise awareness of what is needed within early years settings, explain the who, when and whys of observation, assessment and planning, and making useful links to each of the other books in the series.

Discover the Power of Purposeful Parenting Unlock Your Child's Full Potential and Set Them on the Path to Success Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey of parenting? Are you committed to nurturing your child's mind, heart, and spirit to help them thrive in today's world? Look no further than "Parenting with Purpose: Cultivating Your Child's Developing Mind for Success." In this groundbreaking ebook, we delve into the art and science of purposeful parenting, providing you with the knowledge, strategies, and inspiration to raise children who are confident, resilient, and equipped for a lifetime of success. Inside "Parenting with Purpose," you'll discover the secrets to: Understanding Child Development: Gain a deep understanding of the stages of child development, from infancy to adolescence, and learn how to support your child's growth and development at every step of the way. Nurturing a Growth Mindset: Unlock your child's potential by fostering a growth mindset, teaching them to embrace challenges, persist in the face of obstacles, and view failures as opportunities for growth and learning. Developing Emotional Intelligence: Equip your child with the tools to navigate their emotions, build strong relationships, and make sound decisions. Help them develop empathy, self-awareness, and effective communication skills for a lifetime of emotional well-being. Instilling Values and Character: Discover how to instill honesty, integrity, and responsibility in your child, nurturing their moral compass and guiding them towards making ethical choices throughout their lives. Promoting Intellectual Development: Foster a love for learning, critical thinking skills, and a thirst for knowledge. Create a stimulating learning environment that sparks your child's curiosity and sets them on the path to academic success. Navigating Technology and Media: Learn how to navigate the digital landscape and help your child develop a healthy relationship with technology. Set boundaries, provide guidance, and harness the power of technology for educational purposes. Fostering Healthy Habits: Promote physical health, balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and good sleep habits to support your child's overall well-being and optimize their cognitive function. Building Strong Parent-Child Relationships: Cultivate a loving and supportive relationship with your child, based on open communication, active listening, and quality time. Strengthen the bond that will serve as the foundation for their happiness and success. Balancing Parenting and Self-Care: Discover the importance of self-care for parents and learn strategies to find balance and fulfillment in your own life while being the best parent you can be. Guiding Your Child's Educational Journey: Navigate the educational landscape, make informed choices about their education, support their learning at home, and collaborate effectively with teachers and schools to ensure their academic success. Cultivating a Sense of Purpose: Help your child discover their passions, set meaningful goals, and find purpose in life. Guide them on a transformative journey of self-discovery and equip them with the tools to live a purpose-driven and fulfilling life. "Parenting with Purpose" is more than just a guide; it's your roadmap to raising exceptional children who will make a positive impact in the world. Packed with practical advice, actionable strategies, and real-life examples, this ebook is your go-to resource for purposeful parenting. Don't wait another moment to start cultivating your child's developing mind for success. Join the growing community of purposeful parents who are changing the lives of their children, one mindful decision at a time. Get your copy of "Parenting with Purpose" today and embark on a journey that will transform your child's future.