Brief Table of Contents
1 Maintaining a Safe Classroom
2 Maintaining a Healthy Classroom
3 Establishing a Learning Environment
4 Advancing Physical Skills
5 Advancing Cognitive Skills
6 Advancing Communication Skills
7 Advancing Creative Skills
8 Building a Positive Self-Concept
9 Promoting Social Skills
10 Providing Guidance
11 Promoting Family Involvement
12 Providing Program Management 13 Promoting Professionalism
Detailed Table of Contents
Introduction
The In-Service Training Option
Skills Based on Child Development Associate Training
Textbook Chapters from Functional Areas
Competency Standards, Functional Areas, Chapters
Teacher Skills Checklist
Assessment for In-Service Training Option
Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP)
NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards
1 Maintaining a Safe Classroom
Set Up Safe Classroom Environment
Bathroom
Stairs/Exits
Promote Toy and Materials Safety Within Each Learning Center
Art Center
Block-Building Center
Book Center
Computer Center
Cooking Center
Dramatic Play Center
Gross-Motor Center
Manipulative/Math Center
Music/Listening Center
Sand/Water/Sensory Table
Science/Discovery Center
Woodworking Center
Writing Center
Battery-Operated Toys and Video Games
Safety Checklist
General Room Conditions
Video 1.1 Fire Safety
Keep Outdoor Playground Safe and Secure
Video 1.2 Physical Development: Early Childhood
Books as Lead-Ins to Playground Safety Activities
Plan and Implement Necessary Emergency Procedures
Emergency Illnesses or Injuries
Preparing for Accidents
Injury Safety Activities
Weather Emergencies
Books as Lead-Ins to Emergency Weather Activities
Emergency Exiting
Books as Lead-Ins to Fire Fighting Activities
Emergency Evacuation Plans
Provide a Safe Atmosphere Through Teacher Behavior
Teacher's Behavior
Dissipate Fear
Book as a Lead-In to Talking About Fear
Supervising Classroom Areas
Anticipating Unsafe Behavior
Redirecting Unsafe Behavior
Modeling Safe Behavior
Involving Children in Safety Rules
Car and School Bus Safety
Books as Lead-Ins to School Bus Safety Activities
Field Trip Safety
Book as a Lead-In to Field Trip Manners
Promote Personal Safety for Each Child
Bullying
Books as Lead-Ins to Talking About Bullying
Summary
Do You Know?
Learning Activities
2 Maintaining a Healthy Classroom
Set Up a Healthy Classroom Environment Emphasizing Children's Wellness
Children's Wellness
Encourage Children to Become Physically Fit Through Exercise and Rest
Physical Fitness
Physical Fitness Guidelines
Physical Fitness Activities
Books as Lead-Ins to Classroom Physical Activities
Resting
Books as Lead-Ins to Resting/Napping
Promote Good Nutrition Through Food Choices and Children's Eating
Nutrition
Video 2.1 Mealtime and Snack Time
Nutrients
Analyzing Food Choices
Food in the Classroom
Snacks
Cultural Food
Books as Lead-Ins to Cultural Food Activities
Obesity
Screen Time
Picky Eaters
Books as Lead-Ins to Helping Picky Eaters
Use Materials to Ensure Children's Health Through Personal Hygiene and Cleanliness
Keeping the Classroom Clean
Video 2.2 Handwashing
Personal Hygiene: Handwashing
Washing Dolls and Toys
Tooth Brushing
Books as Lead-Ins to Toothbrushing
Sun Protection
Recognize Unusual Behavior and Symptoms of Illness and Respond to Them
Sickness
Allergies
Insect Bites
Asthma
Chicken Pox
Book as Lead-In to Chicken Pox Theme
Colds/Flu
Books as Lead-Ins to Using Tissues
Ear Infections
Special Conditions
Medical Exams
Books as Lead-Ins to Doctor and Dentist Visits
Summary
Do You Know?
Learning Activities
3 Establishing a Learning Environment
Set Up Stimulating Learning Centers in Appropriate Spaces
Learning Centers as Brain Stimulators
Colors as Stimulators
Noise Levels
Room Arrangement
Video 3.1 Room Arrangement: Preschool
Room Layout
Separating Activities
Floor Planning
Self-Regulating Methods
Provide Appropriate Materials for Children's Self-Directed Activities in Indoor Learning Centers
Play as Learning
Exploratory Play Levels
Equipping Learning Centers
Block-Building Center
Book Center
Dramatic Play Center
Manipulative/Math Center
Art Center
Gross-Motor Center
Music Center
Science/Discovery Center
Writing Center
Computer Center
Sensory Play Center
Woodworking Center
Developmentally Appropriate Materials
Evaluating Room Arrangement
Provide Stimulating Outdoor Learning Activities
Outdoor Dramatic Play
Books
Block Building
Art
Music
Climbing, crawling
Fine Motor
Science
Use Technology Where Developmentally Appropriate
Computer (desktop; laptop)
Smartphone
Touch Tablet
Interactive Whiteboard (IWB)
Multitouch Table or Smart Table
eBook Player
Digital Camera
Video 3.2 Technology
Digital Voice Recorder
Digital Music Player/Recorder
Summary
Do You Know?
Learning Activities
4 Advancing Physical Skills
Guide Children's Development of Gross-Motor Skills and Provide Appropriate Equipment and Activities
Walking
Books as Lead-Ins to Walking Activities
Balancing
Hopping/Jumping/Leaping
Books as Lead-Ins to Jumping
Running/Galloping/Skipping
Books as Lead-Ins to Leg and Feet Action
Climbing
Books as Lead-Ins to Climbing Activities
Crawling/Creeping/Scooting
Throwing/Catching
Books as Lead-Ins to Playing Basketball/Baseball
Riding Wheeled Equipment
Book as a Lead-In to Riding a Trike
Making Plans for Individuals
Guide Children's Development of Fine-Motor Skills and Provide Appropriate Materials and Activities
Fine-Motor Assessment
Sequence of Development
Whole Arm
Books as Lead-Ins to Hammering
Whole Hand
Pincer (Finger 1)
Puzzles
Cutting with Scissors
Books as Lead-Ins to Cutting
Pincer Coordination (Finger 2)
Stringing Beads
Books as Lead-Ins to Bead-Stringing Activities
Provide Opportunities for Children to Engage in Movement-Based Learning
Video 4.1 Movement and Music
Books as Lead-Ins to Movement Activities
Provide Opportunities for Children to Engage in Creative Dance
Movement Props
Books as Lead-Ins to Creative Dance
Summary
Do You Know?
Learning Activities
5 Advancing Cognitive Skills
Describe How Cognitive Development Takes Place In Preschool Children
Pioneers in Children's Cognitive Development
Brain Research
Cognitive Development in Preschool
Help Children Develop Curiosity About Their World Through Sensory Exploration
Sensory Exploration
Assessing Children's Curiosity
Sensory Questions
Reawakening Your Own Curiosity
Open-Ended Sensory Questions
Scientific Inquiry: The Guessing-Game Method (High-Level Thinking)
Equipment and Materials in the Classroom
Outside Sensory Explorations
Books as Lead-Ins to Outside Sensory Exploration
Help Children Develop Basic Concepts About Their World by Classifying, Comparing, and Counting Objects in It
Sorting and Classifying Objects That Are Alike
Video 5.1 Sorting Shells
Comparing Objects by Size, Shape, Color, and Number
Books as Lead-Ins to Comparing Objects
Early Childhood Mathematics
Books as Lead-Ins to Number Activities
Help Children Apply Basic Concepts About Their World Through High-Level Thinking and Problem Solving
Following a Broad But Simple Concept
Problem Solving, Divergent Thinking, and Metacognition
Books as Lead-Ins to Thinking Activities
Problem Solving with Computer Programs
Summary
Do You Know?
Learning Activities
6 Advancing Communication Skills
Provide Activities That Promote Children's Speaking and Listening
Brain Research
Talk-Rich Environment
Listening with Intent
Helping Children Listen with Intent
Soundproofing the Room
Helping Children Become Speakers
Responsive versus Restrictive Language
Books as Lead-Ins to Responsive Language Activities
Books as Lead-Ins to Children Gaining Confidence
Books as Lead-Ins to the Need to Communicate
The Mix of Children
Video 6.1 Encouraging Conversation
Books as Lead-Ins to Children's Conversations
Help Dual Language Learners to Learn English
New Technology
Why Use Home Languages
Reading Bilingual Books
Books as Lead-Ins for Dual Language Activities
Provide Materials and Activities to Support Emergent Reading
Emergent Reading
Books to Motivate Listening
Word Play
Predictable Books
Reading Books to Children
Follow-Up Book Activities
Books as Lead-Ins to Story Reenactment
Provide Materials and Activities to Support Emergent Writing
Writing in Preschool
Book as a Lead-In to Writing Tools
Writing Behaviors
Taking Dictation
Children's Writing Activities
Books as Lead-Ins to Writing Activities
Alphabet Letters
Books as Lead-Ins to Alphabet Activities
Computer Alphabet Programs