Description
Book SynopsisEarly childhood educators know how important it is to choose the right materials to include in your infant and toddler program. There are so many options, and often your budget won’t stretch cover everything you’d like to include. With this guide, discover ideas for both familiar and new play materials and how they not only support the cognitive, physical, and social and emotional development of children from birth to age 3 but also meet the diverse needs of individual children. With a thoughtful selection of appropriate materials, you can enhance the quality of your program and create an accessible, inclusive, and equity-based environment that makes all children feel welcome.
Trade ReviewThis book is an invitation to discuss play materials as the “right stuff” for supporting whole child development and well-being. It offers developmental snapshots of the four stages of infancy, lists of suggested play materials and books appropriate for each stage, and concrete guidance on how and why to use these resources with infants and toddlers, making it the perfect guide for infant and toddler teachers and families.
—Diane M. Horm, George Kaiser Family Foundation Endowed Chair and Director of the Early Childhood Education Institute (ECEI), University of Oklahoma-Tulsa
This is a wonderful overview of how to support children from birth to age 3 with a rich selection of developmentally appropriate play materials. Each idea invites teachers to engage the hearts and minds of young learners thoughtfully and responsively.
—Peter L. Mangione, Senior Director of Early Childhood Strategic Initiatives, WestEd
Utilize this enlightening book and you will experience much joy with children! It offers a full range of practical play strategies, unique materials, and positive outcomes most appropriate for healthy human development. Beautifully written and illustrated, this book is an extraordinary resource for anyone seeking inspiring approaches to play and nurturing happier, more well-balanced children.
—Walter F. Drew, Founder and Executive Director, Institute for Self Active Education and Dr. Drew’s Toys
McMullen and Brody offer a reflective and reader-friendly array of play materials, activities, and practical suggestions for infant and toddler teachers that inspires quality interactions and teaching practices. Helpful appendices include highlights of early development, children’s books that correspond to developmental interests and needs, and suggestions for further reading. This is an excellent resource for new teachers!
—Susan L. Recchia, Professor Emeritus, Early Childhood and Special Education, Teachers College, Columbia University
This thoughtfully crafted book outlines the learning that happens during play for very young children, providing readers with the perfect balance of developmental reasoning and application strategies for immediate use. I will be using this book in my trainings for infant and toddler teachers going forward.
—Jessi Beedle, Infant/Toddler Early Childhood Education Specialist, Early Childhood Connections
McMullen and Brody offer clear-eyed explanations of the what and how of materials for supporting learning and development. Notably, they also establish why these open-ended play materials and interactions are important across all areas of development for infants, toddlers, and twos.
—Nancy File, Professor Emerita, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Table of ContentsIntroduction
Part 1: Essential Questions
Chapter 1: Who? Children from Birth to Age 3
Chapter 2: Why? Supporting Learning, Development, and Well-Being
Chapter 3: How? The Role of Teachers
Chapter 4: What? Curating Play Materials for Very Young Children
In Your Words
Part 2: Cognitive Learning and Development
Chapter 5: Play Materials That Help Me Construct Knowledge and Understanding
Chapter 6: Play Materials That Facilitate My Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
Chapter 7: Play Materials That Inspire My Approaches to Learning
In Your Words
Part 3: Social and Emotional Learning and Development
Chapter 8: Play Materials That Help Me Understand Myself and Others
Chapter 9: Play Materials That Encourage Me to Express Myself Creatively
Chapter 10: Play Materials That Connect Me to Nature and Science
In Your Words
Part 4: Physical Learning and Development
Chapter 11: Play Materials That Help Me Develop My Gross Motor Skills
Chapter 12: Play Materials That Enhance My Fine Motor Skills
Chapter 13: Play Materials That Teach Me About My Body in Space
In Your Words
Final Thoughts
Appendix A: Highlights of Learning, Development, and Positive Well-Being
Appendix B: On the Bookshelf
References
Resources
Index
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
