While children in a classroom of 4-year-olds are actively engaged during center-based learning, a small group begins constructing a tower using blocks of all sizes. Jose, Cindy, and Thomas are all at different stages of language development. Jose is a dual language learner (DLL) in the early stages of English language acquisition; Cindy is a DLL…

Teacher talk is a powerful classroom tool. Studies document the importance of teacher language in children's development, in early literacy development, in children's perceptions of self and others, and in facilitating play. This article examines "teacher talk" and its elements--kinds of language, functions of language, promoting children's…

"Joint productive activity" (JPA) is a research-based strategy for effective teaching and learning. JPA fosters social and cognitive development among young learners. In this article, the authors describe JPA, connect the research to practice, and discuss how they use JPA at their early childhood center.

The author evaluates how school procedures may feel to a child and advocates the creative use of group size and configuration to encourage young children's positive social and emotional growth. Jones offers anecdotes from her preschool, in its farm setting, highlighting the use of errands, partner activities, and teamwork. She discusses the…

Transformers are simple movement experiences for the classroom that engage the mind and body, focus energy, and help children transition to the next activity. Teachers can use them throughout the day, every day. The author explains the basic movements and suggests ways to build on them. They range from deep breathing to gentle wake-up movements to…

Most teachers of young children start their days with some type of class meeting--typically circle time. Although similar to circle time, Morning Meeting is structured with four essential components: the greeting (children greet each other); sharing (several children share important information about themselves); a group activity (the group…

Experts say that good mathematics instruction engages all students as active learners (NAEYC & NCTM 2002). It begins with their current skills and builds new knowledge that is meaningful and appropriate for each child (Baroody 1998). Effective math instruction allows children to develop positive attitudes toward math instead of negative ones…

Sponsored by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA), the IEA Preprimary Project is a multinational study of unprecedented size and scope. At age seven, in primary school, more than eighteen hundred children from 10 of the participating countries had follow-up assessments. The study affirms that preschool…