The ability to recognize the smalles sound units is an essential skill that children must master before actually learning to read.

Suitable for all early childhood educators and practitioners, Letter Links is all about the alphabetic principle from a child development point of view. It highlights the importance of using symbols in preschool along with printed letters. Letter Links takes childrenÂ's natural interest in learning to write their own name as an entryway to teaching them letter recognition skills, letter-sound correspondence, and letter/word writing by using nametags and letter-linked images. The authors also provide eight specific teaching strategies. Letter Links outlines the research behind the learning system and provides detailed examples of 64 initial letter sounds represented by 26 letters. These are the letter combinations you need to introduce the bookÂ's more than 25 fun-filled activities that involve the alphabetic principle, phonological awareness, sense of word, and vocabulary.

Dozens of reproducible picture cards that children can sort by beginning sounds, rhyming words, number of syllables, and number of phonemes.

Shows how common early childhood practices that promote intellectual development have scientific research supporting them.

Widely recognized as a leading text in its field, this popular guide explores literacy development beginning in infancy and through fourth grade. The latest edition continues to prepare teachers to create and implement literacy-rich curricula in early childhood classrooms, while providing updates to federal legislation and highlighting the impact of state standards on educational settings. Recent technology is integrated into activities used to enhance literacy competencies. Throughout the book, the author’s approach to reflective teaching empowers teachers to become effective decision makers and thoughtful mediators in children’s transactions with literacy. A conceptual and theoretical foundation for describing reading and writing processes is followed by research-based descriptions of the signs of emergent literacy and developmentally appropriate instructional strategies. The emphasis on linguistic and cultural diversity includes an array of approaches for supporting English language learners. Chapter extension activities challenge readers to apply concepts through observation, research, curriculum development, and discussion. Sample observation and assessment forms assist in determining children’s progress in developing literacy.

Understanding the HighScope Approach is a much-needed source of information for those wishing to extend and consolidate their understanding of this innovative education programme. It will enable the reader to analyse the essential elements of the HighScope approach to early childhood and its relationship to high-quality early years practice. This second edition contains all the original content, which covers all areas of the curriculum including learning environment, plan-do-review, adult-child interaction and assessment, but has been updated to be fully in line with the latest changes to research, policy and practice. New topics and features include: ■ outdoor play and learning ■ using the HighScope approach with children with special needs and who speak English as an additional language ■ managing the approach with bigger class sizes ■■the implementation of technology with children in HighScope settings ■ a selection of new photographs Written to support the work of all those in the field of early years education and childcare, this is a vital text for students, early years and childcare practitioners, teachers, early years professionals, children’s centre professionals, lecturers, advisory teachers, head teachers and setting managers.