Teaching Young Children : An Introduction

by Henniger, Michael L.

• ISBN13: 9780135137468
• ISBN10: 0135137462
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-02-19
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

This engagingly interactive and easy-to-read book outlines how to deliver quality early education and care through its focus on curriculum. Full-color throughout, this edition's features include more concrete applications in the bookand on the website.The author weaves five essential elements of effective early childhood education throughout the book: understanding development, play, guidance, working with families, and diversity. The book provides a rigorous overview of the planning, preparation, and delivery of a curriculum for young children, one that's built around six specific curriculum areas, each explored in its own chapter. The author stresses the importance of play and the need to nurture each child's natural affinity for learning through experimentation and exploration. Separate chapters on the importance of the outdoor environment and the effect of technology on early childhood education help to complete this well-rounded presentation.For pre-service and in-service teachers at the pre-school and elementary grade levels.

Author Biography

Michael Henniger is professor of early childhood education at Western Washington University, where he currently serves as Associate Dean of the Woodring College of Education. Prior to this and other administrative assignments, he taught early childhood education courses at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Central Washington University, Northern Illinois University, and Western Washington University for a total of 22 years. University teaching interests include preschool and primary curriculum, play, learning environments, and family/community involvement in education. While completing his doctoral degree at the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Henniger taught preschool children in the university lab school. His public school experiences were in rural Alaska, where he taught first and second grades and high school mathematics.

 

In addition to numerous articles and presentations on play, playgrounds, parent/community involvement, and technology for young children, Dr. Henniger has authored/co-authored the following books: Working with Parents of Handicapped Children (with Elizabeth Nesselroad); American Education (7^th Edition) (with John Johansen and James Johnson); The Teaching Experience: An Introduction to Reflective Practice;and Teaching Young Children: An Introduction (4^th Edition).

 

Dr. Henniger’s professional and research interests include promoting the importance of indoor and outdoor play experiences for young children, multicultural toys and games, the role of technology in the lives of young children, and family/community involvement strategies. Recent research opportunities have led to a deeper knowledge of integrating curriculum through project learning, curriculum options for infants and toddlers, and health and fitness issues for young children and their families.  

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Field

Overview of the Profession Essentials of Early Childhood Education

The Scope of Early Childhood Education Funding: Who Pays for Early Education

Teaching Young Children

Professional Preparation of Early Childhood Caregivers

Resources for Professional Development

Historical Contexts

Historical Figures

Influencing Early Childhood Education Events

Influencing Early Childhood Education

Types of Programs

The Montessori Program

The High/Scope Curriculum

The Behaviorist Approach

The Bank Street Model

The Reggio Emilia Program

Foundations

Understanding

How a Child Develops and Learns

The Developmentally Appropriate Classroom

Key Perspectives on Learning and Development

Children: Developmental Similarities and Differences

Learning About Children

Play in Childhood Defining

Play Why Children Play: Theories Cognitive

Play Types

Social Play

Types Benefits of Play

Facilitating Childhood Play

Guiding Young Children

What Is Guidance?

Recognizing Feelings and Understanding

Emotions Guidance

Strategies Guiding

Routines Guiding

Social Interactions Group Guidance

Guidance for Children with Special Needs

Working with Parents, Families, and Communities

Family Life Today

Is Involvement Worth the Effort?

Building Strong

Two-Way

Relationships

Effective Communication

Methods

Factors

Influencing Quality

Involvement

Parent

Teacher

Conflicts Families of Children with Special Needs

Connecting with the Community

Diversity and Young Children

Diversity as an Essential Element Attitudes

Toward Diversity Encouraging an Acceptance of Diversity

Inappropriate Responses to Diversity

Integrating Diversity

Throughout the Curriculum

English Language Learners

Individuals with Special Needs

Issues of Gender

Equity Working with Families and the Community

Organizing for Instruction

Planning the Physical Environment: Indoors

Planning Guidelines

The Centers-Based Classroom

Age-Related Considerations

Selecting Equipment and Materials

Creating an Inclusive Environment

Changing the Physical Environment

Health and Safety Issues

Planning the Physical Environment: Outdoors

Importance of Outdoor

Play Planning Guidelines

Outdoor Play Areas Developmental Considerations

Selecting Equipment and Materials

Planning for Change in the Outdoor Environment

Heath and Safety on the Playground

Family and Community Involvement

Committing to the Outdoor Environment

Activity Planning and Assessment

Creating a Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum

The Integrated Curriculum

The Project Approach Scheduling Issues

Assessment Involving Families

The Curriculum

Enhancing Physical Development

The Importance of Motor Skills

Foundation for Physical Fitness

The Components of Physical Development

Teaching Physical Development

Enhancing Physical Development

Indoors Enhancing Physical Development

Outdoors

Teaching Children to Care for Their Bodies

Working with Parents and Families

Supporting Emotional and Social Development

Helping Children with Emotional Development

Materials and Activities for Emotional Development

Toward Social Competence

The Social Development

Curriculum Stress as a Factor in Social and Emotional Development

Teachers and Caregivers Pe

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