An Activities Handbook for Teachers of Young Children
I. Art and Woodworking Introduction to Art Activities Ages and Stages. Teachers as Collaborators. Art and Developing Skills. The Art Area. Basic Art Supplies Guidelines for the Safe Use of Art and Craft Materials What the Teacher Can Do Art: Recipes and Activities Easel Paint Recipes. Fingerpainting. Plastic Art. Adhesives. Bubbles. Paintings, Pictures and Collages. Sewing and Dyeing Introduction to Woodworking The Value of Woodworking. Tools and Materials. Planning the Curriculum. The Woodworking Center. The Teacher's Role Woodworking: Processes and Projects Bibliography of Resources Books About Art and Other Curriculum Activities. Books About Woodworking Activities II. Music, Movement, and Drama Introduction to Music, Movement, and Drama The Role of Music in Early Childhood. Movement Is Natural. The Importance of Dramatic Play. Educational Values of Music, Movement, and Drama. The Place of Music, Movement, and Drama in the Curriculum. Teachers' Attitudes Set the Stage. Preparation. Introducing Activities. Children with Special Needs. Musical Terms. Comments to the Teacher Music Activities Rhythm. Tone. Melody. Text. Mood. Form Creative Movement Activities Guidelines. Desired Outcomes. Pacing. Body Parts. Movement in Space. Movement with Others Where to Write for Additional Materials Sensorimotor Explorations Body Awareness. Space Awareness. Form Awareness. Locomotor Skills. Balance. Combining Movements Drama and Creative Expression The Value of Dramatic Play in the Classroom. Planning Dramatic Play Activities. Expressing Feelings. Puppets. Dramatic Play Kits Bibliography of Resources Activity Song Books. Books About Creative Movement. Books About Sensorimotor Explorations. Books About Creative Dramatics III. Math Experiences Introduction to Math Experiences A Foundation for Mathematical Concepts. How Children Develop Math Skills. How Children Construct Logical Mathematical Knowledge. Planning the Curriculum. The Math Center. Mathematical Terms. Suggestions for Making Comparisons Math Activities Nonstandard Measurements. Classification: Sorting and Comparing. Conservation. Seriation and Measurement. Equivalence: Matching and Pairing. Number Concepts. Ordinal Numbers Bibliography of Resources IV. Language Arts Introduction to Language Arts Language and Communication. How Language Is Acquired. The Role of the Teacher. Planning the Curriculum. The Language Arts Area Language Arts Activities Speaking. Listening. Reading Readiness. Writing Bibliography of Language Activity Books for the Teacher Bibliography of Books and Recordings for Children All-Time Favorites. Picture Books Without Words. Poetry and Nursery Rhymes. Books About ABC's. Books About Babies and Siblings. Holiday Stories. Books for Teaching Diversity in the Classroom. Concept Books: Colors, Shapes, Numbers, and Time. Books About Science and Ecology. Books About Special Needs, Situations, and Events. Books About Social and Emotional Events. Recordings V. The Physical World/Science Introduction to the Physical World/Science A Foundation for Science in the Early Years. How Young Children Learn. Guiding Children to Learn About the Physical World. Planning the Curriculum. The Science Center Physical World Science/Science Activities Sensory Perception. Physical Properties and Energy. Nature. Machines. Ecology Field Trips Planning Field Trips. Practical Guidelines. Ideas for Field Trips Bibliography of Resources VI. Health and Safety Introduction to Health and Safety The Importance of Health and Safety. Effects on Classroom Behavior. Four Aspects of Health and Safety. HIV and AIDS. Planning for Teaching Health and Safety Health Activities Safety Activities Personal Safety Activities Bibliography of Resources Where to Write for More Information VII. Cooking and Nutrition Introduction to Cooking and Nutrition Cognitive and Sensory Experiences. Social and Cultural Gains. Learning Where Foods Come From. Nutrition. Planning the Curriculum. Planning for Successful Cooking Projects. Guidelines for Feeding Young Children. What You Should Know About Sweeteners Activities for Teaching About Food Healthful Recipes. Baking Breads. Cup Cooking. Making Spreads. Making Salads. Cooking Eggs. Preparing Grains and Legumes. Cooking Meat, Poultry, and Fish. Preparing Vegetables and Dips. Making Desserts and Snacks Bibliography of Resources VIII. Computers Introduction Young Children and Computers. The Teacher's Role. Introducing the Computer to Children. Helping Children with Special Needs. Are Computers Good for Young Children? The NAEYC Position Statement Setting up the Computer Area Appropriate Hardware and Software. Guide to Selecting Software Computer Activities Specialized Software Art: Drawing, Painting, and Creating Patterns. Math: Numbers and Problem Solving. Language: Reading, Writing, and ABC's. Science: Nature and Ecology. Contact Information Glossary of Computer Terms Bibliography of Resources Complete List of Activities and Resources