Brief Table of Contents

1 Maintaining a Safe Classroom
2 Maintaining a Healthy Classroom
3 Establishing a Learning Environment
4 Advancing Physical Skills
5 Advancing Cognitive Skills
6 Advancing Communication Skills
7 Advancing Creative Skills
8 Building a Positive Self-Concept
9 Promoting Social Skills
10 Providing Guidance
11 Promoting Family Involvement
12 Providing Program Management
13 Promoting Professionalism

Detailed Table of Contents
Introduction
The In-Service Training Option
Skills Based on Child Development Associate Training
Textbook Chapters from Functional Areas
Competency Standards, Functional Areas, Chapters
Teacher Skills Checklist
Assessment for In-Service Training Option
Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP)
NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards

1 Maintaining a Safe Classroom

Set Up Safe Classroom Environment
Bathroom
Stairs/Exits
Promote Toy and Materials Safety Within Each Learning Center
Art Center
Block-Building Center
Book Center
Computer Center
Cooking Center
Dramatic Play Center
Gross-Motor Center
Manipulative/Math Center
Music/Listening Center
Sand/Water/Sensory Table
Science/Discovery Center
Woodworking Center
Writing Center
Battery-Operated Toys and Video Games
Safety Checklist
General Room Conditions
Video 1.1 Fire Safety
Keep Outdoor Playground Safe and Secure
Video 1.2 Physical Development: Early Childhood
Books as Lead-Ins to Playground Safety Activities

Plan and Implement Necessary Emergency Procedures

Emergency Illnesses or Injuries
Preparing for Accidents
Injury Safety Activities
Weather Emergencies
Books as Lead-Ins to Emergency Weather Activities
Emergency Exiting
Books as Lead-Ins to Fire Fighting Activities
Emergency Evacuation Plans

Provide a Safe Atmosphere Through Teacher Behavior

Teacher’s Behavior
Dissipate Fear
Book as a Lead-In to Talking About Fear
Supervising Classroom Areas
Anticipating Unsafe Behavior
Redirecting Unsafe Behavior
Modeling Safe Behavior
Involving Children in Safety Rules
Car and School Bus Safety
Books as Lead-Ins to School Bus Safety Activities
Field Trip Safety
Book as a Lead-In to Field Trip Manners

Promote Personal Safety for Each Child

Bullying
Books as Lead-Ins to Talking About Bullying

Summary
Do You Know?
Learning Activities
2 Maintaining a Healthy Classroom
Set Up a Healthy Classroom Environment Emphasizing Children’s Wellness

Children’s Wellness

Encourage Children to Become Physically Fit Through Exercise and Rest

Physical Fitness
Physical Fitness Guidelines
Physical Fitness Activities
Books as Lead-Ins to Classroom Physical Activities
Resting
Books as Lead-Ins to Resting/Napping

Promote Good Nutrition Through Food Choices and Children’s Eating

Nutrition
Video 2.1 Mealtime and Snack Time
Nutrients
Analyzing Food Choices
Food in the Classroom
Snacks
Cultural Food
Books as Lead-Ins to Cultural Food Activities
Obesity
Screen Time
Picky Eaters
Books as Lead-Ins to Helping Picky Eaters

Use Materials to Ensure Children’s Health Through Personal Hygiene and Cleanliness

Keeping the Classroom Clean
Video 2.2 Handwashing
Personal Hygiene: Handwashing
Washing Dolls and Toys
Tooth Brushing
Books as Lead-Ins to Toothbrushing
Sun Protection

Recognize Unusual Behavior and Symptoms of Illness and Respond to Them

Sickness
Allergies
Insect Bites
Asthma
Chicken Pox
Book as Lead-In to Chicken Pox Theme
Colds/Flu
Books as Lead-Ins to Using Tissues
Ear Infections
Special Conditions
Medical Exams
Books as Lead-Ins to Doctor and Dentist Visits

Summary
Do You Know?
Learning Activities
3 Establishing a Learning Environment
Set Up Stimulating Learning Centers in Appropriate Spaces

Learning Centers as Brain Stimulators
Colors as Stimulators
Noise Levels
Room Arrangement
Video 3.1 Room Arrangement: Preschool
Room Layout
Separating Activities
Floor Planning
Self-Regulating Methods

Provide Appropriate Materials for Children’s Self-Directed Activities in Indoor Learning Centers

Play as Learning
Exploratory Play Levels
Equipping Learning Centers
Block-Building Center
Book Center
Dramatic Play Center
Manipulative/Math Center
Art Center
Gross-Motor Center
Music Center
Science/Discovery Center
Writing Center
Computer Center
Sensory Play Center
Woodworking Center
Developmentally Appropriate Materials
Evaluating Room Arrangement

Provide Stimulating Outdoor Learning Activities

Outdoor Dramatic Play
Books
Block Building
Art
Music
Climbing, crawling
Fine Motor
Science

Use Technology Where Developmentally Appropriate

Computer (desktop; laptop)
Smartphone
Touch Tablet
Interactive Whiteboard (IWB)
Multitouch Table or Smart Table
eBook Player
Digital Camera
Video 3.2 Technology
Digital Voice Recorder
Digital Music Player/Recorder
Summary
Do You Know?
Learning Activities
4 Advancing Physical Skills
Guide Children’s Development of Gross-Motor Skills and Provide Appropriate Equipment and Activities
Walking
Books as Lead-Ins to Walking Activities
Balancing
Hopping/Jumping/Leaping
Books as Lead-Ins to Jumping
Running/Galloping/Skipping
Books as Lead-Ins to Leg and Feet Action
Climbing
Books as Lead-Ins to Climbing Activities
Crawling/Creeping/Scooting
Throwing/Catching
Books as Lead-Ins to Playing Basketball/Baseball
Riding Wheeled Equipment
Book as a Lead-In to Riding a Trike
Making Plans for Individuals

Guide Children’s Development of Fine-Motor Skills and Provide Appropriate Materials and Activities

Fine-Motor Assessment
Sequence of Development
Whole Arm
Books as Lead-Ins to Hammering
Whole Hand
Pincer (Finger 1)
Puzzles
Cutting with Scissors
Books as Lead-Ins to Cutting
Pincer Coordination (Finger 2)
Stringing Beads
Books as Lead-Ins to Bead-Stringing Activities

Provide Opportunities for Children to Engage in Movement-Based Learning

Video 4.1 Movement and Music
Books as Lead-Ins to Movement Activities

Provide Opportunities for Children to Engage in Creative Dance

Movement Props
Books as Lead-Ins to Creative Dance

Summary
Do You Know?
Learning Activities

5 Advancing Cognitive Skills

Describe How Cognitive Development Takes Place In Preschool Children

Pioneers in Children’s Cognitive Development
Brain Research
Cognitive Development in Preschool

Help Children Develop Curiosity About Their World Through Sensory Exploration

Sensory Exploration
Assessing Children’s Curiosity
Sensory Questions
Reawakening Your Own Curiosity
Open-Ended Sensory Questions
Scientific Inquiry: The Guessing-Game Method (High-Level Thinking)
Equipment and Materials in the Classroom
Outside Sensory Explorations
Books as Lead-Ins to Outside Sensory Exploration

Help Children Develop Basic Concepts About Their World by Classifying, Comparing, and Counting Objects in It

Sorting and Classifying Objects That Are Alike
Video 5.1 Sorting Shells
Comparing Objects by Size, Shape, Color, and Number
Books as Lead-Ins to Comparing Objects
Early Childhood Mathematics
Books as Lead-Ins to Number Activities

Help Children Apply Basic Concepts About Their World Through High-Level Thinking and Problem Solving

Following a Broad But Simple Concept
Problem Solving, Divergent Thinking, and Metacognition
Books as Lead-Ins to Thinking Activities
Problem Solving with Computer Programs

Summary
Do You Know?
Learning Activities

6 Advancing Communication Skills

Provide Activities That Promote Children’s Speaking and Listening

Brain Research
Talk-Rich Environment
Listening with Intent
Helping Children Listen with Intent
Soundproofing the Room
Helping Children Become Speakers
Responsive versus Restrictive Language
Books as Lead-Ins to Responsive Language Activities
Books as Lead-Ins to Children Gaining Confidence
Books as Lead-Ins to the Need to Communicate
The Mix of Children
Video 6.1 Encouraging Conversation
Books as Lead-Ins to Children’s Conversations

Help Dual Language Learners to Learn English

New Technology
Why Use Home Languages
Reading Bilingual Books
Books as Lead-Ins for Dual Language Activities

Provide Materials and Activities to Support Emergent Reading

Emergent Reading
Books to Motivate Listening
Word Play
Predictable Books
Reading Books to Children
Follow-Up Book Activities
Books as Lead-Ins to Story Reenactment

Provide Materials and Activities to Support Emergent Writing

Writing in Preschool
Book as a Lead-In to Writing Tools
Writing Behaviors
Taking Dictation
Children’s Writing Activities
Books as Lead-Ins to Writing Activities
Alphabet Letters
Books as Lead-Ins to Alphabet Activities
Computer Alphabet Programs
Children’s Names
Video 6.2 Creating a Print-Rich Environment
Books as Lead-Ins to Children’s Names
Orientation of Letters

Summary
Do You Know?
Learning Activities

7 Advancing Creative Skills

Promote Children’s Creativity Through Freedom to Use Their Imaginations Acceptance and Encouragement
Teacher Creativity
Freedom
Fantasy Role-Play
Books as Lead-Ins to Fantasy Play
Video 7.1 Creative Art Expressions
Multiethnic Books
Superhero Play
Books as Lead-ins to Superhero Play
Intervention
Give Children the Opportunity to be Creative in Dramatic Play
Books as Lead-Ins to Dramatic Play
Dramatic Play Areas
Teacher’s Role
As a Model
As a Mediator
Provide Art Materials and Activities for Children to Explore Creatively on Their Own Process versus Product
Easel Activities
Art Supplies
Play Dough
Colored Chalk
Finger Painting
Monster Mixing
Books as Lead-Ins to Mixing Colors
Acceptance of Art Products
Books as Lead-Ins to Art Activities
Books About Adult Artists
Stages of Art Development
Encourage Children to Create and Have Fun with Music
Brain Research Regarding Music
Chanting
Books as Lead-Ins to Singing/Chanting a Happy Song
Directions
Manipulating the Music Medium
Rhythm Instruments
Your Own Instrument
Books as Lead-Ins to Instrument Playing
Using Recorded Music
Other Creative Activities

Summary
Do You Know?
Learning Activities
8 Building a Positive Self-Concept
Help Children Improve Their Self-Concept Through the Positive Classroom
Environment You Have Established
Physical Environment
Book as a Lead-In to Seeing Different Faces
Emotional Environment
Accept Yourself and Every Child as Worthy and Use Verbal and Nonverbal Cues to Let Children Know They Are Accepted
Adult Self-Acceptance
Adult—Child Acceptance
Books as Lead-Ins to Adult—Child Self-Concept Activities
Nonverbal Cues
A Favorite Child
Behavior Management Style
Child's Self-Acceptance
Mirrors, Photos, and Recordings
Self-Concept Name Games and Songs
Self-Concept Art and Photography
Books as Lead-Ins to Child Self-Acceptance Activities

Accept and Respect Diversity in Children and Help Children to Respect One Another
Stress Similarities But Honor Differences
Books as Lead-Ins to Different Cultural Activities
Build on Each Child’s Strengths
Have High Expectations for Everyone
Cultural Influences on Children’s Self-Concept
Helps Children Respect One Another

Help Every Child to Develop Independence and Experience Success in the Classroom

Video 8.1 Opportunities for Success
Strengthening a Child’s Independence
Control Over the Classroom Environment
Children’s Activity Choices
Children’s Special Skills
Teacher’s Role
Summary
Do You Know?
Learning Activities

9 Promoting Social Skills

Help Children Develop the Social Skills of Interacting in Harmony with Others

Neuroscience Research
Social Play
Importance of Parallel Play
Onlooker-to Parallel-to-Cooperative Play
Teacher’s Role

Help Children Learn to Work and Play Cooperatively through Sharing and Turn-Taking
Sharing and Turn-Taking
Modeling Sharing and Turn-Taking Behavior
Modeling with Puppets
Books as Lead-Ins to Sharing and Turn-Taking Activities
Computer Turn-Taking

Help Children Learn to Enter Ongoing Play Without Disruptions
Group-Access Strategies
Dramatic Play
Learning from Peers in Dramatic Play
Learning Real-Life Roles
Block Building
Handling Interpersonal Conflicts
Video 9.1 Building with Blocks
Other-Esteem Conflict Conversion
The Shy Child
Children Who Don’t Know How to Play

Help Children Learn to Find Friends

Books as Lead-Ins to Help Children Get Involved with Others
Listening Partners
Creating a Kindness Class

Summary
Do You Know?
Learning Activities

10 Providing Guidance

Help Young Children Develop Self-Control Through Positive Guidance
Brain Research
Use Positive Prevention Measures to Help Children Eliminate Inappropriate Behavior
Learning Environment Modification
Colors to Create Emotional Tone
New Materials
Book as a Lead-In to Preventing Possession Squabbles
Encouraging Environment for Boys
Orderly Sequence of Events
A Minimum of Waiting
A Maximum of Time
Child Involvement in Rules
Book as a Lead-In to Rule-Making Problems
Setting Limits
Video 10.1 Managing Challenging Behavior
Knowing the Children
Force Unacceptable

Use Positive Intervention Measures to Help Children Control their Inappropriate Behavior
Accepting Negative Feelings
Helping Children Verbalize Negative Feelings
Emotional Literacy
Books About Anger as Lead-Ins to Verbalizing Feelings
Redirecting Inappropriate Behavior
No Time-Out Chair
Out-of-Control Children
Temper Tantrums
Biting and Hitting
Intervening in Interpersonal Conflicts

Use Positive Reinforcement Techniques to Help Children Learn Appropriate Behavior
Positive Reinforcement
Focus on Injured Child, Not on Aggressor
Model Appropriate Behavior

Summary
Do You Know?
Learning Activities

11 Promoting Family Involvement

Encourage Family Involvement in the Early Childhood Program to Promote Their Children’s Development
Involve Families in Participating in Their Children’s Learning Activities
Focus on the Child
Home Visits
Building Trust in Parents and Parent Trust in the Program
Beginning School
Books to Help Children Become Accustomed to School
Two-Way Communication
Methods for Two-Way Communication
Books, Materials and Photos as Connectors
Home Visits
Family Members’ Classroom Visits
Parents as Classroom Volunteers
Classroom Volunteer Rules
Parent Conferences
Video 11.1 A Conference with Kayla’s Mom
Recognize and Support Families of Different Makeups
Single-Parent Families
Books About Single-Parent Families
Mixed/Blended/Adopted Families
Books About Adoption and Mixed Families
Gay and Lesbian Families
Books About Gay and Lesbian Families
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Books About Grandparents
Culturally Diverse Families
Working Parents
Build Teacher—Family Relationships Through Family Meetings
Family Support of Program
Monthly Family Meetings
Activities in Learning Centers
Motivating Family Attendance
Books About Potluck Suppers

Summary
Do You Know?
Learning Activities

12 Providing Program Management

Make Your Design Colorful

Observe, Record, and Interpret the Needs and Interests of the Children
Video 12.1 Observing Children in Authentic Contexts
Observing
Recording
Interpreting Results
Plan and Implement an Emergent Curriculum
Team Planning
Team Planning Sessions
Team Roles and Responsibilities
Overcoming Team Problems
Employing an Emergent Curriculum
Video 12.2 Emergent Curriculum Built on Children’s Interests
Using Curriculum Webs in Planning
Children’s Response to Curriculum Webs
Converting Children’s Interests into a Theme-Based Curriculum
Field Trips
Observing and Recording Their Discoveries
Picture Books as Lead-Ins to an Entire Curriculum
Manage Time Within the Program Schedule
Managing Time Blocks
Advantages of Time Blocks
Time Management in the Preschools of Reggio Emilia
Assess Outcomes of the Planning
Child Observation
Observing Marsella
Assessment Interviews
Arrange Follow-Up Based on Assessment
Additions to Learning Centers
Team Planning for Follow-Up
Documentation
Summary
Do You Know?
Learning Activities

13 Promoting Professionalism

Continue Professional Growth as a Teacher of Young Children
Becoming a Professional
Categories of Professional Development
Early Childhood Programs
Concerns
A Helping Profession
Make a Commitment to the Early Childhood Profession
Knowledge Base in the Field of Early Childhood
Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP)
Video 13.1 Designing Developmentally Appropriate Days
Keeping Up with Developments in the Field
New Knowledge
New Technology
Reciprocal Teaching and Learning
Training Opportunities in the Field of Early Childhood
Technology-Based E-Learning
Online College Training
Child Development Associate
Why Become a CDA?
CDA.2
Licensing and Credentialing
Service Requirements in the Field of Early Childhood Education
Behave Ethically Toward Children, Families, and Coworkers
Shows Respect for All
Demonstrates Caring Toward All Children
Respects Privacy of Children, Families, and Coworkers
NAEYC’s Code of Ethical Conduct
Training About Ethical Conduct
Take Every Opportunity to Improve Professional Growth
Ongoing Training
Join a Professional Organization, Read Its Publications, Network with Colleagues in the Field
Professional Publications
Career Opportunities
Professional Portfolio
Personal Contribution
Summary
Do You Know?
Learning Activities

Appendix A Becoming a CDA: Child Development Associate
Obtaining a CDA Credential
Before Apply

Skills for Preschool Teachers, 10th edition

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