Preschool teachers distribute book and summer reading lists to parents all of the time – alphabet books, counting books, getting ready for kindergarten books, etc. But, what books are on the teacher’s summer reading list? Here are some suggestions to help teachers learn new classroom practices, revisit educational philosophies, and recharge for the next year.
The Value of Storytelling for Young Learners
Picture books are a must for any preschool classroom, but children also benefit from hearing stories recited aloud. Without an illustrator’s interpretation of a story, children must use their own imaginations to create the characters, scenes, and situations. Also, with the teacher as a model, children will be better prepared to tell (and later, to draw and write) their own stories.
Jack Maguire’s Creative Storytellling [Yellow Moon, 1992] provides the practical knowledge teachers need to become confident, entertaining storytellers. As its subtitle – Choosing, Inventing, and Sharing Tales for Children – indicates, the book guides storytellers to pick age and interest appropriate stories to tell and takes them step by step through crafting an engaging experience. Many of the ideas will also liven up picture book read alouds.
The Complete Reggio Guide
The constructivist philosophy formulated by Loris Malaguzzi and his fellow educators in Reggio Emilia, Italy is hot right now. But what, exactly, is a Reggio school? Joanne Hendrick’s textbook, Next Steps Toward Teaching the Reggio Way [Prentice Hall, 2004] provides a clear picture. Each chapter is devoted to one program, teacher, or classroom in the United States or Canada that is striving to adopt reggio practices.
The chapters show, variously, how community is fostered among teachers, children, and families; the interplay between children taking the lead and teachers as co-learners; creating appropriate learning environments; and accepting multiculturalism. The snapshots offer examples from which preschool teachers can understand the Reggio philosophy and adapt ideas to their own classrooms.
The Intersection of Workplace and Early Childhood Goals
Ellen Galinsky is a former president of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and former instructor at Bank Street College. She currently serves as president of the Families and Work Institute, which studies the work and family lives of the U.S. workforce. Their research tracks changing conditions over time and how they impact everything from government policy to business practices to education.
In her newest book, Mind in the Making [Harper, 2010], Galinsky reviews current research into the qualities of an effective 21st century workplace to inform the goals of early childhood education. In other words, if a child is to be successful later in life, what skills does he or she need to learn – and how are those skills learned? While aimed primarily at parents, the book is an excellent resource for preschool teachers who believe in the power of playful learning.
Facilitating Gross Motor Development
Most preschool teachers have mixed feelings about rough and tumble play. While recognizing the importance of physical activity, they may have questions about feasibility and priorities in a group setting. In her new book, Big Body Play [NAEYC, 2011], Frances Carlson demonstrates that “roughhousing” is not just essential for large motor physical development, but helps develop social and language skills as children negotiate rules and parameters. The author offers easy, low-cost ways to include big body play safely in every program.
Young Learners and Their Serious Discussions
While any book by Vivian Gussin Paley, a winner of a MacArthur “genius” award, would make valuable summer reading, The Girl with the Brown Crayon [Harvard University Press, 1998] is a must. During her final year teaching kindergarten at the University of Chicago’s lab school, Paley’s class studies the stories of Leo Leonni. The book chronicles how the children used the picture books as a springboard for learning about race, gender, character, emotions, and leadership and encourages reflection on the power of literature and the teaching profession.
Reading and keeping up with current research in early childhood education is essential for preschool teachers, but not always practical during busy school days. Summer is the perfect time to choose a good book that will invigorate one’s teaching and benefit children for years to come.
Nicole Fravel - Ms. Fravel is an educator, curriculum developer, and parent with over 15 years of experience in elementary and early childhood ...
