Download Free Little Children In The Big Outdoors Outdoor Activities And Early Language Experiences Give Kids A Great Start In Life Book in PDF and EPUB Free Download. You can read online Little Children In The Big Outdoors Outdoor Activities And Early Language Experiences Give Kids A Great Start In Life and write the review.

This little book is a handy guide for parents, teachers and childcare providers looking for fun and easy ways to incorporate early literacy activities with healthy outdoor experiences. Part One offers a discussion of the tremendous benefits of nature and playing outside for young children and a summary of all the beginning literacy skills that are important for brain development in the early years. Part Two contains many ideas for everyday outdoor activities along with easy songs, poems and fingerplays that children love. We hope to inspire the daily use of language play along with nurturing a love of nature so that children have the best early start to learning.ABOUT THE AUTHORPriscilla has worked with children and early literacy for nearly 50 years; as a teacher, a librarian, a mom and now a grandmother. She earned a M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Colorado. As the early literacy specialist at Douglas County Libraries in Colorado for 22 years she developed many programs that brought children and stories together in different ways. She was an adjunct professor of children's literature at Metro State University and University of Denver for 15 years. Her love of nature, gardening and hiking, led her to share these ideas and suggestions for all those who care for young children.
Solve toddler challenges with eight key mindshifts that will help you parent with clarity, calmness, and self-control. In Why is My Child in Charge?, Claire Lerner shows how making critical mindshifts—seeing children’s behaviors through a new lens —empowers parents to solve their most vexing childrearing challenges. Using real life stories, Lerner unpacks the individualized process she guides parents through to settle common challenges, such as throwing tantrums in public, delaying bedtime for hours, refusing to participate in family mealtimes, and resisting potty training. Lerner then provides readers with a roadmap for how to recognize the root cause of their child’s behavior and how to create and implement an action plan tailored to the unique needs of each child and family. Why is My Child in Charge? is like having a child development specialist in your home. It shows how parents can develop proven, practical strategies that translate into adaptable, happy kids and calm, connected, in-control parents.
Children are already learning at birth, and they develop and learn at a rapid pace in their early years. This provides a critical foundation for lifelong progress, and the adults who provide for the care and the education of young children bear a great responsibility for their health, development, and learning. Despite the fact that they share the same objective - to nurture young children and secure their future success - the various practitioners who contribute to the care and the education of children from birth through age 8 are not acknowledged as a workforce unified by the common knowledge and competencies needed to do their jobs well. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 explores the science of child development, particularly looking at implications for the professionals who work with children. This report examines the current capacities and practices of the workforce, the settings in which they work, the policies and infrastructure that set qualifications and provide professional learning, and the government agencies and other funders who support and oversee these systems. This book then makes recommendations to improve the quality of professional practice and the practice environment for care and education professionals. These detailed recommendations create a blueprint for action that builds on a unifying foundation of child development and early learning, shared knowledge and competencies for care and education professionals, and principles for effective professional learning. Young children thrive and learn best when they have secure, positive relationships with adults who are knowledgeable about how to support their development and learning and are responsive to their individual progress. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 offers guidance on system changes to improve the quality of professional practice, specific actions to improve professional learning systems and workforce development, and research to continue to build the knowledge base in ways that will directly advance and inform future actions. The recommendations of this book provide an opportunity to improve the quality of the care and the education that children receive, and ultimately improve outcomes for children.
"Based on groundbreaking research that has the power to change the lives of countless children--and the adults who love them." --Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts. A book that offers hope and a pathway to success for parents, teachers, psychologists, and child development experts coping with difficult children. In Tom Boyce's extraordinary new book, he explores the "dandelion" child (hardy, resilient, healthy), able to survive and flourish under most circumstances, and the "orchid" child (sensitive, susceptible, fragile), who, given the right support, can thrive as much as, if not more than, other children. Boyce writes of his pathfinding research as a developmental pediatrician working with troubled children in child-development research for almost four decades, and explores his major discovery that reveals how genetic make-up and environment shape behavior. He writes that certain variant genes can increase a person's susceptibility to depression, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and antisocial, sociopathic, or violent behaviors. But rather than seeing this "risk" gene as a liability, Boyce, through his daring research, has recast the way we think of human frailty, and has shown that while these "bad" genes can create problems, they can also, in the right setting and the right environment, result in producing children who not only do better than before but far exceed their peers. Orchid children, Boyce makes clear, are not failed dandelions; they are a different category of child, with special sensitivities and strengths, and need to be nurtured and taught in special ways. And in The Orchid and the Dandelion, Boyce shows us how to understand these children for their unique sensibilities, their considerable challenges, their remarkable gifts.
Children's outdoor play and experiences matter! New delights and opportunities for learning await each time children venture outdoors. This updated and expanded edition of The Great Outdoors will inspire teachers to make it possible for children to spend more time outdoors, have safe environments, and be free to learn through exploration. This book - Reviews why outdoor play matters for children, especially when it involves nature - Explores the historical and contemporary inspirations and foundation for nature education - Discusses ways to keep children safe outdoors, including minimizing sun exposure and other dangers - Highlights the importance of nature experiences for children's spiritual development - Explores the necessity and challenges of creating child-friendly cities and environments Each chapter ends with action items to improve children's access to safe, clean, and interesting places in your community and is packed with resource ideas for further exploration. The Great Outdoors will enable you take up the challenge to advocate for enticing outdoor spaces for children.
Trees & Me contains hundreds of ideas for fun, easy-to-do, hands-on experiences to connect young children to nature, with a focus on trees and forests. Through both outdoor and indoor activities, children explore nature through their five senses, experience trees throughout all four seasons, and connect with their community. The 12 hands-on Trees & Me activities are designed for families and teachers to use with children ages 1-6 in a range of settings, including preschools, childcare centers, and nature centers, at home, or with families and friends spending time together. Special instructions tailor many experiences to children under 3 years of age. Families and caregivers, childcare providers, and early childhood educators can easily adapt the activities as necessary to meet each child's unique needs, the environment where they live, and the materials available. Children learn concepts necessary to succeed in school, including age-appropriate literacy, math, and critical thinking skills. They make music, create things, and gain physical dexterity. They are empowered to work independently and in groups. Through dramatic play and skill practice, they explore careers which plants ideas for a child's future.What's more, research indicates that early exposure to nature and the outdoors improves emotional and physical well-being, enhances learning, promotes positive social behavior, and makes children more likely to care about their environment throughout their lives. Each activity contains background information for adults, preparation, materials, and time requirements, plus explicit connections with early learning standards in science, English language arts, math, and social studies, as well as programs such as NAEYC and Head Start. Art is integrated throughout every activity and STEM is practiced through ten essential skills, , effectively integrating the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and math. Each activity suggests concrete ways that families and friends can enhance the learning experience at home, including helping out in the community. The guide also provides reading and music suggestions, and valuable appendices, such as tested techniques for engaging early learners, tips for outdoor learning, bringing nature inside, and woodworking, that not only support the activities, but also serve as a resource in a range of situations.
Everyone has a favorite spot. A place where they feel comfortable, a space to think, a place all their own. For many, that space is in nature, with its sounds, smells, and sense of freedom and the chance to move. The place where we can learn about ourselves. But grown-ups aren't the only ones who benefit from the great outdoors. Children also reap the rewards of nature-calmness, curiosity, connectivity, and empathy starting at a young age. I have had the chance to witness this firsthand from Colorado to China. Through my time working in outdoor education, I have seen the good that being outdoors can do for kids. Whether it's breathing in the fresh air, stretching their legs, or developing social-emotional skills, every child deserves the chance to experience nature's benefits. The ability to understand the world around us begins at a very early age. Bringing a young child outdoors instills a sense of curiosity and wonder, teaches problem-solving and effective communication, and helps develop a sense of responsibility. These benefits don't stop with school readiness; they translate into skills your child will carry through life. Each child is different and will profit differently from their time outside. But most important, parents and children should spend the time outside together. I say "parent" as a shorthand for all guardians, grandparents, siblings, or other caregivers. It doesn't matter what role you play in the child's life; what matters is the connection you create by spending time together. Sharing that time together outdoors deepens your bond and creates a lifelong relationship with one another and the greater world. This book will show you creative ways to grow your child's relationship with nature and discover its joys. The activities in these pages require few materials (and those that are necessary are inexpensive items you can find around your home). In addition, you won't have to spend a lot of time preparing for these activities; most require little more than reading the instructions and stepping outside to experience the joy of nature. And the activities are designated by level of difficulty: one leaf for easy, two leaves for medium, and three leaves for challenging. If a particular activity or part of an activity is too challenging for a younger child, feel free to adapt it to fit your child's age level and abilities. Finally, always keep safety in mind. Remember: no touching or chasing animals; stay away from poison ivy and the like; be careful around water; watch the weather; dress appropriately for the season; wear sunscreen or protective clothing; use bug spray; hydrate; wear sturdy, comfortable footwear; and take plenty of breaks. With this book you will embark on a journey of growth together, whether through developmental milestones, bonding, or learning skills for a lifetime. The first steps of this journey stretch beyond the pages of this book, to the hiking trails, mountains, fields, beaches, and forests you and your child explore. Have fun on your journey together!
This essential resource is designed to help busy early years practitioners to support the mental health of young children through outdoor play. Promoting social and emotional wellbeing in childhood has never been more important, and outdoor play is a crucial tool to build resilience, develop healthy relationships, and boost self-esteem. Using relatable case studies that demonstrate achievable change, the book is full of practical advice and strategies for exploring nature in both natural and man-made landscapes, and includes guidance on how to co-create inviting play spheres with children. Each chapter provides: Adaptable and cost-effective activities designed to help children feel more confident and connected to the world around them. Case studies and reflective opportunities to prompt practitioners to consider and develop their own practice. An accessible and engaging format with links to theorists, risk assessment, and individual schemas. Outdoor play allows young children to explore who they are and what they can do. It supports them as they learn to think critically, take risks, and form a true sense of belonging with their peers and with the wider community. This is an indispensable resource for practising and trainee early years practitioners, Reception teachers, and childminders as they facilitate outdoor play in their early years setting.