For decades early childhood educators in high-quality programs have understood that the transition into reading and writing occurs naturally when young children are surrounded by opportunities to interact with print in ways that are meaningful to them. The original edition of More Than Letters, first published in 2001, showed teachers how to intentionally help children develop literacy skills through hands-on, play-based activities. Like the original edition, the Standards Edition is based on theory and research. It contains new chapters that specifically focus on developing the skills needed to decode literature and informational text. Expanded chapters include activities that target specific concepts included in national literacy standards.

There is perhaps nothing more important in a child's education than the development of literacy skills. From the moment they are exposed to books, children are beginning to understand that what is spoken can also be written. These important discoveries aid in the construction of a child's earliest literacy concepts and make the prospect of reading and writing attainable and exciting.The latest in a series of discovery and activity books, More Than Letters is filled with over 100 fun and effective activities designed to make literacy adventurous and meaningful for children. More Than Letters contains an extensive whole-language curriculum that creates classroom environments that surround children with meaningful print.Each activity is accompanied by a photograph and a detailed explanation of how to set up the activity and construct materials. Also included are suggestions for comments and questions teachers can use to encourage phonetic awareness in their children.

Included are more than one hundred activities to engage children in interactive science explorations in many areas of the classroom -- from cover.

More than one hundred math activities for young children that incorporate early learning standards.

Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index.

Chapters include how to talk with children about their art, how to recognize the stages in a child's artistic development and how to discuss ideas with peers to provide even more possibilities in art curriculum -- from cover.

Includes information about artistic development, children's books, creative drama, movement, musical development, musical instruments, physical development, play, puppetry, recipes, singing, children with special needs, tools and materials, two dimensional art, etc.