Activities

Now more than ever, adults must help children develop the skills necessary to navigate through life successfully. By focusing on building social and emotional strength, we increase children's resilience and prepare them to handle the challenges in life. The strategies and activities in "Socially Strong, Emotionally Secure" help children become socially and emotionally healthy for life. Organized into five chapters, the activities support and build resilience in children ages 3 to 8. 160 pages. Paperback.

Early childhood educators are responsible for the health and safety of the children they care for. From preventing harm from known safety risks to promoting children's medical, nutritional, oral, and mental health, educators and program directors act as children's daily protection and support. This easy-to-use manual provides educators with the information they need to ensure that the children in their care are safe, while they learn the best practices to stay healthy for life. With suggestions,… More »

How do children learn about the world around them? They touch, taste, see, smell and hear it, of course! With over 200 activities, Learning Games will delight children as they expand their learning by engaging all of their senses. The chapters are organized by each of the five senses, with a bonus chapter of multi-sensory activities. The games and activities are designed to help children identify and use their senses-essential tools for understanding the world. Paperback. 168 pages.

This new book features 100 activities all about shapes! Contributed by teachers, these activities are organized by curriculum area and offer fresh ideas that provide hours of engaging activities. Complete with learning objectives, related children's books, and an assessment component, teachers will find everything they need to teach children ages 3-6 all about shapes. 128 pages.

Movement-inspiring activities reinforce good nutrition, health and motor skills! Young children learn best when they connect physical activity with learning! Up, Down, Move Around is packed with fun, simple activities that will have your children jumping, shaking, rolling, dancing, and clapping as they learn! From the Healthy Food Obstacle Course to the Bendy Bodies Stretch, children ages 3 to 6 will get moving as they learn and support an awareness of nutrition and health concepts as well as fine… More »

With the help of the stories and activities in this book, take the time to watch, wonder, ask questions, talk about, and explore the world of science with your child. Use favorite children's books to investigate animals and insects, learn how plants grow and change, and discover how shadows grow and shrink. With four chapters that cover a multitude of themes, it's never been easier to deepen your child's understanding of important science and reading concepts at the same time! 144 pages. Paperback.

Movement-inspiring activities reinforce key literacy and math concepts! Young children learn best when they connect physical activity with learning! Up, Down, Move Around is packed with fun, simple math and literacy activities that will have your children jumping, shaking, rolling, dancing, and clapping as they learn! From the Syllable Freeze Dance to a Math Orchestra, children ages 3 to 6 will actively explore letters and numbers as they develop number sense, practice counting and rhyming, and… More »

Whether at home, in care environments, or at school, using digital tablets with interactive apps can open children's minds to their own capabilities and worlds of fun! This valuable guide offers educators and families expert advice on making smart choices about technology with young children. "Buckleitner's Guide to Using Tablets with Young Children" simplifies the shopping process, describes which apps are age appropriate, clarifies how to find educational apps on particular subjects,… More »

Rainy Day Activities has everything you need to make being stuck inside fun! This resource is filled with quiet games to create relaxing moments, active games to get the wiggles out, and games that require no materials at all. 64 pages.

30 Fun Ways to Learn with Blocks and Boxes is full of small group and individual activities that explore construction, collaborative play, and basic math concepts. From building basic models and mazes to constructing complex stairs and bridges, these activities ignite children's imaginations and engage their creativity and critical thinking. 80 pages. Paperback.

Engage children with meaningful constructive play! This book provides educators of young children with guidance in how to create early childhood environments that support children's natural need to play. It includes strategies for creating and scaffolding the block play experience, recommends children's books that support the learning, and outlines ways to match behaviors, content, and concepts to learning standards. Lesson plans include: Thanksgiving -- sharing and giving; our families and ourselves;… More »

Counting is the foundation for future math learning. Pairing and sorting objects, understanding numbers and quantity, and counting can all be introduced with simple activities. 30 Fun Ways to Learn About Counting brings these skills into the classroom with fun and engaging games and activities! 80 pages. Paperback.

With quick and simple ideas, "101 Easy, Wacky, Crazy Activities" is guaranteed to enliven any day. Encourage children to think creatively, problem solve, and have fun while learning. Written by two experienced teachers, this collection of open-ended ideas is a book teachers and parents will want to keep handy. Paperback. 144 pages.

Use the games in 30 Fun Ways to Learn About Writing to make early writing in the classroom exciting and fun! Whether labeling objects, making lists, or writing notes, children will be engaged and active with these creative activities that stimulate curiosity and imagination. 80 pages. Paperback.

When a story comes to the end -- it does not have to be the end of the story. Instead, teachers can continue the learning with activities and experiences to promote conversation about that story. Story Play encourages even the most inexperienced teacher, librarian, child care professional, or family member to become a storyteller with ideas for expanding stories into meaningful learning experiences. With stories, poems, songs, chants, and fingerplays, as well as ideas for working with puppets and… More »

"L is for Lion" helps children learn letters easily and entertains them with the fun activities in this book. Each letter of the alphabet has two full pages of activities and ideas, including: foods to enjoy that begin with the letter, games or activities that reinforce the shape or sound of the letter, a song, poem, or tongue twister featuring the letter, and suggestions of books to read. Paperback. 80 pages.

Recent research has drawn the link between children's brain development and time spent in the natural environment. Every child deserves a safe play to play, supportive adults to watch him grow, and an environment that offers them endless possibilities. In "Seasons of Play," Rusty Keeler takes readers on a photographic journey through real child care centers that have embraced his philosophy that natural play environments create new opportunities for children to explore and grow. This book… More »

Music does more than teach children to sing or play an instrument. The music and movement activities in 30 Fun Ways to Learn About Music build children's development in other areas, like literacy, math, physical fitness, and coordination. These activities also help children develop concentration, build confidence, and help children's creative and social development. 80 pages. Paperback.

by Sharon MacDonald. Over 200 easy-to-plan learning center activities for language and literacy, science, manipulatives, art and more. 272 pages.