Discover Creativity with 2–5 Year Olds explores young children’s creative development and shares important insight as to why and how practitioners can encourage their natural curiosity. It will help early years practitioners and professionals to rediscover the joy of working creatively with young children and how to support them in developing their ideas, thoughts and feelings through creative expression and opportunities. The book provides an in-depth account of what creativity is and how best to support children in their creative endeavours. Covering the prime areas of the early years foundation stage, it is packed with engaging, cost-effective and achievable activity ideas to support the young creative mind. Including case studies, discussion boxes and reflective points, the chapters consider key topics underpinned by theoretical perspectives including: - Understanding he unique differences and needs of toddlers and pre-school children - Forming respectful relationships and understanding the impact they can have on creativity - Developing the environment and resources that enable creativity - Exploring outdoors and how to make the most of time with young children outside - Encouraging a process over product mindset - Understanding the role of the adult in supporting creative thinking and exploration This wonderful guide will inspire practitioners and equip them with the tools they need to fully support and cultivate the curious and creative side to every child.

Tap into children's natural curiosity and scaffold their creative abilities across all domains of learning--and nurture your own creativity!

This book explores creative development in babies and shows how practitioners can support even the youngest child’s natural curiosity and help them to develop their ideas, thoughts and feelings. It provides engaging, cost-effective and achievable activity ideas to support the developing creative mind, covering the outdoors; communication and language; and personal, social, emotional and physical development. Including discussion boxes, case studies and reflective points in every chapter, Day offers guidance and insight into key topics and well-known theories, including how and why to facilitate creativity, adult-baby relationships and attachment, the environment and resources that enable creativity and outdoor exploration and play. Discover Creativity with Babies is a wonderful guide for early years practitioners looking to support and cultivate the curious and creative side to every child, however they may choose to express it.

Documentation and Inquiry in the Early Childhood Classroom explores teacher inquiry, reflection, and research and the documentation of these processes within a variety of school sites and models. Compiling underrepresented inquiry stories from practicing teachers and administrators in early childhood (0–5) classrooms in the San Francisco Bay Area, this book highlights the power of the community in supporting professional development for early childhood educators and the education of young children. Important elements addressed include teacher learning, children’s curricula, parent and community communication, and equity and social justice for teachers, children, and families.

Action Art: Hands-On Active Art Adventures is A Collection of Over 100 Active Hands-On Art Experiences for Children 2-12, Full of Adventure, Movement, and Discovery. FOR SCHOOLS • HOMESCHOOLS • MUSEUMS• LIBRARIES • CHILDCARE • HOME Shelving: ART ACTIVITIES • EDUCATION • PARENTING Over 100 action-packed art activities bring discovery and adventurous creativity to children’s art experiences that will delight and challenge kids of all ages. Each child-tested art activity is grouped into engaging action categories including: 1.) Smacking • Squeezing • Tapping 2.) Rolling • Spinning • Swinging 3.) Blowing • Exploding • Smooshing 4.) Tools • Toys • Utensils 5.) Up • Down • All Around Full color photographs highlight all activities including painting, photography, collage and sculpture, each with helpful icons indicating levels for both children and adults. Action Art experiences are built on the knowledge that art for children is a creative process and not just a finished product. MaryAnn Kohl is famous around the world for encouraging children to experience creative art exploration best known as “process art”. Action Art offers 5 chapters of exciting and adventurous creative art activities, all with surprise outcomes, including – Blowing Glitter Dancing Blottos Bubble Wrap Boot Walk Clear Color Squish

Finally, a book that demystifies our daunting education system by giving parents the insights and strategies they need to build positive relationships with teachers and connect to their children’s learning in productive ways. Involved Parents = Better Students How do you ensure your child gets the best education possible when U.S. schools have become overburdened, test-driven institutions that rank only average worldwide? Decades of research confirm that when parents engage with their children’s learning, kids do better in school—and life. This straight-talking guide helps you: • understand the critical role you play in your child’s education, • connect with educators in respectful ways, • encourage a love of reading in your kids, • minimize homework meltdowns and disorganization, • support students who struggle academically, • help children navigate social situations and bullying, and • fuel your child’s mind and body for learning. Parent involvement looks different for every family and every child. Packed with real stories and tested strategies, The Parent Backpack demystifies our complex education system and gives you the insights you need to help your kids thrive.

Each of us once possessed great creative power. Yet somehow, somewhere, creativity has been lost, and with it the joy and growth that it brings. When we don’t feel creative, we don’t feel fulfilled. Discover your creativity story: why you had it, how you lost it, and how to get it back. As you journey to reclaim your wonder, you’ll learn how to use it to create great things in your personal and professional life. Only then can you discover a more fulfilling life.